Dillon DBB-641 review

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WakinAZ
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Dillon DBB-641 review

Post by WakinAZ »

I recently purchased a Dillon DBB-641 4/4+ BBb, and I am very pleased.
Here is the review I posted on their site:
"This is a very nice tuba for the money. I have played on a couple of Yamaha YBB-641 tubas that this model is based on, and the Dillon DBB-641 compares favorably with them.
Yes it plays just like the Yamaha, as far as I can tell. it's been a few years since I played the "real" one, but I like the way this tuba sounds.
The scale/intonation is as good as the Yamaha to my ear.

It's much better cosmetically that I was expecting. I have received several compliments. The photos on the Dillon site do not do this horn justice - it has very nice lacquer finish with nickel silver outer slides and a nice fancy engraved Dillon logo.

The nice wheeled hard case with real latches was a pleasant surprise. Most Asian-made tubas at this price point have fabric covered styrofoam hard/soft hybrid cases, but the wheels on those cases do tend to be larger than traditional hard cases and more able to go over rougher surfaces, like parking lots. The wheels on the Dillon case are smaller and hard and only suitable for interior floors and smooth outdoor surfaces. I plan on getting a gig bag and just using the hard case for home storage anyway.

The included mouthpiece is a copy of the stock Yamaha 67C4 mouthpiece, but not very well made. Plan on upgrading soon.

The fit and finish are better than some horns I have paid several times the price for, including mass-produced American tubas from a large Midwestern conglomerate. It is not German or Japanese quality, but you are paying 1/3 or 1/4 the price.

Compare this tuba not only to the Yamaha YBB-641, but also to similar larger 4/4 size tubas like the Meinl-Weston 25 or the Miraphone 187. You can play this tuba loud without breaking the sound due to the large bore and large bell throat.

As always Matt Walters, the Dillon tuba specialist, "under-promised and over-delivered". He is great to work with, and will truly make sure you are getting what you need and want.

Anyone who has any questions about this tuba can message me on the TubeNet site under my username "WakinAZ".

Regards,
Eric L., a happy community band tuba player and former music student in Tucson, AZ"
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Re: Dillon DBB-641 review

Post by wagtuba23 »

nice!
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Re: Dillon DBB-641 review

Post by Three Valves »

Their 1795 is a nice, lighter, smaller bore tuba as well.
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Re: Dillon DBB-641 review

Post by WakinAZ »

Long overdue pics: https://photos.app.goo.gl/tMyCOz7HHbddJdWj2
The smaller silver horn is a friend's Wessex/JinBao 210.
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Re: Dillon DBB-641 review

Post by TheGoyWonder »

there was a GOOD KIND of YBB-641, the alexander-ian one, for sale on ebay just sold near $1000. needing a couple hundred to be playable, or just 6-800 to be very nice. Oh well.
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Re: Dillon DBB-641 review

Post by WakinAZ »

Yes Mark, high G tends to be more in tune with third valve if I recall correctly. Small trade-off for a note not required very often in the rep that I play. I find the mid range in the staff needing lower range fingerings on most rotary BBb horns I play. I don't mind at all.

Yes Joe, It is well documented on TubeNet that most people do not like the YBB-641. I happen to like them just fine. People also tell me I sound good on them, including tuba players who own German-made horns. Go figure.

If the Chinese made a decent Miraphone 187 or 289 copy, I'd probably buy it. Or if they made a decent Meinl Weston 25 copy or Rudy 5/4 or Cerveny 601 copy I'd probably buy it. But they don't, so I bought this and I like it.

Eric "who likes what he likes" L.

I do agree the real YBB-641 is overpriced, considering the competition.
Last edited by WakinAZ on Wed Nov 08, 2017 10:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Dillon DBB-641 review

Post by WakinAZ »

I neglected to add "at this price point" ~$2K.

I realize there is another level above this in quality and price range in the Eastman and John Packer lines, but still vastly cheaper than the European makers.

I'm satisfied with the DBB-641as my large 4/4 rotary BB-flat horn, but I'll check with you if I decide to try a different large 4/4 horn.

Now I'm just waiting on that Chinese 5/4+ rotary from Wessex or somebody..
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Re: Dillon DBB-641 review

Post by Three Valves »

WakinAZ wrote:I neglected to add "at this price point" ~$2K.
So long as the valves work I'm happy!!

(Even if there are too many)

:tuba:
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