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I wanted to whet your appetites and share pictures of the new prototypes of the compensating Eb tubas by Eastman. We're hoping to get these in production very soon- just a few more tweaks!

They play incredibly well, with even response in all registers, the 15" really sings in the high range, and both have great intonation. The horns will be available with a 17" or 15" bell.

If you have any questions about the horns, feel free to ask!

Photo didn't work.

There were many things that were changed after the Eb flat was displayed at ITEC mainly intonation issues and ergonomics. After playing the new batch there will be a few minor tweaks, but it is close- very close

We hope to unveil the horn at the army conference in February. I will be playing my recital on the horn, and it will also be on display during that time.

Man, I wish I played Eb.

Now this is interesting. Looking forward to checking them out!

They have a similar 3/4 BBb but it isn't cataloged.

???

They've updated their page a bunch:
http://www.eastmanwinds.com/tubas" target="_blank

Nice.

Thanks!!

they also put up pictures of some weirdo with a mohawk...

58mark wrote:Glad to see they finally put the 800 series trombone on the website. It's fantastic. That company is one the right track

Did you say you found intonation problems with their The EBB226??

I found it easier to play than a Jupiter 1010 BBb but didn't measure either with a tuner.

Bottom bow looks very generous (?)
Must be a quite aggressive taper from the top bow

how does this compare to the Besson 983?

I found it to be far less stuffy than a 983.

This horn was made to compete and exceed the 983. It's tall orders since the Besson is such a terrific instrument (I played one for around 15 years) from a great company. I had no issues selling my 983 once I got the prototype from Eastman. Once we tweak a few things, these horns will be unbelievably good. The 17" bell will be more similar to the 983, while the 15" will be more similar in characteristics to the Besson 994.

58mark wrote:

I just went back and looked at my notes on that horn. I put "20 cents flat across the board with the tuning slide all the way in"

At least it's consistent!!

I'm interested in these. Any idea what the price point might look like?

Any word on these instruments?

The Eb is done and ready to go. Eastman has just finished up a Piston F tuba, and a 6/4 CC Eastman York. They are waiting to do an official unveil once all three horns are ready to go, at that time they will be ready for purchase. If you will be at any tuba conferences, Midwest, NAMM or like conferences they should have these horns there for people to try out.

I agree Mark, too bad I won't be able to play on one for a while...

58mark wrote:I played the ITEC horn for a long time. For a compensating horn, the low range got sharper and sharper the lower you went.

With the last two chromatic steps above the open pedal this is the inherent nature of compensating instruments. It takes a slide kicker on either the 1st slide, the 3rd slide, or the main tuning slide to correct this error. Hirsbrunner has made compensating euphoniums with a combined slide kicker for the 1st and 3rd slides. The kicker also could be on the 4th slide, but I never saw that. Marzan-type compensating euphoniums by Willson have their 4th and main slides placed to allow for left hand manipulation.

An Eb compensating tuba with the 4th valve pressed acoustically seen acts like a 3 valve BBb tuba,

Klaus