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I've just returned from a day at Yamaha, Hamburg, visiting Thomas Lubitz (he who maketh the first YamaYork). A first for me, especially having a seat bought for my tuba on a smallish plane!

I've always played a little flat, and previous attempts to modify my Neo BBb have helped, but not quite as sharp as I needed. Yamaha wanted to hear/look at me play, as this has been noticed by other players too.

Anyway, Thomas has sorted me out with a slide chop, as well as a full ultrasonic clean and service. Like new again! More importantly, I got chance to talk at length about tubas, bands, personalities, and his previous work at Melton. I also got a blow on another Neo, and an hour with a Custom 822 CC.

Oh, and had a lovely lunch and beer!

https://www.dropbox.com/s/p7dpj3cn89ax7 ... 3.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/q1lesut2i6k1f ... 5.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/xiai7fpev125w ... R.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/gv87d7fkx27ml ... 2.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/5ymua4qfincks ... 6.jpg?dl=0

Very good What were your impressions of the 822 CC?

toobagrowl wrote:Very good What were your impressions of the 822 CC?

I'm no CC player, but found it an easy blow and very in tune with a few false fingers.

Cool! Sounds like a fun time.

Did they have any rotary tubas there? It *is* Germany, after all! Anything else unusual or interesting?

bort wrote:Cool! Sounds like a fun time.

Did they have any rotary tubas there? It *is* Germany, after all! Anything else unusual or interesting?

Of course, but my time was limited and the rotaries were all boxed/new so I didn't get chance.

Sounds great!! As a "pre-Neo" model owner of Yamaha, I too would have been interested in comparing the models.

AndyCat wrote:

bort wrote:Cool! Sounds like a fun time.

Did they have any rotary tubas there? It *is* Germany, after all! Anything else unusual or interesting?

Of course, but my time was limited and the rotaries were all boxed/new so I didn't get chance.

Yeah I'm curious on any improvements on the 641 it tends to get a bad rap but I enjoyed mine.

JJ

I would be very interested in finding out what Yamaha did to your neo to help play better in tune. I have owned a neo for a number of years and have found that it plays flat. Like yourself,i use a mike finn 3.

eeflattuba wrote:I would be very interested in finding out what Yamaha did to your neo to help play better in tune. I have owned a neo for a number of years and have found that it plays flat. Like yourself,i use a mike finn 3.

Simply cut the tuning slide and branches it goes into.

The newer ones seem to be shorter, I tried a new one and was in tune. Perhaps get your dealer to do it?

AndyCat wrote:

eeflattuba wrote:I would be very interested in finding out what Yamaha did to your neo to help play better in tune. I have owned a neo for a number of years and have found that it plays flat. Like yourself,i use a mike finn 3.

Simply cut the tuning slide and branches it goes into.

The newer ones seem to be shorter, I tried a new one and was in tune. Perhaps get your dealer to do it?

Thanks.I had posted on a facebook group, Bass Players Union, sometime ago about my tuning issues with the neo. You were kind enough to provide me with a picture of the cut tuning slide Yamaha had sent you.My repair tech here in western Canada has this picture and my horn and will be doing the necessary alterations some time this week.

Did you buy a seat for your tuba on the plane ? How did you manage the transport?

Greg Lecewicz wrote:Did you buy a seat for your tuba on the plane ? How did you manage the transport?

Yes, it was a seat on the plane, in my usual gig bag. Was ushered through fast track at both airports because of size!

It was a relatively small plane, so actually carrying the 20" bell through the corridor in the plane from the steps was only just a fit!

Taxi (24 euro) from Hamburg airport to Yamaha, then Thomas dropped me off afterwards. My house, back to my house, was 17 hours.