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I've heard some people talking about Eastman releasing a piston valved F tuba this coming spring, but I can't find any information on it. If anyone has any info on it, send it this way because it seems like it would be an attractive first F tuba for at least my undergrad

It’s really good. It’s about the height of a 2250, has some 822 characteristics, but a more interesting sound. Intonation is really good. I played it for a very well know tuba player next to his 2250NP and he liked the Eastman better.

The big push right now is the 6/4 and right after that the F should be done. It’s either pretty close to being finished or it is.

Not sure what the timeline is like for it to hit the market.
I can’t wait,
B

Yes!!!

Bump for any updates on the project

I wouldn't expect anything production-wise for at least a year. You will see a german-style rotary F way before the piston goes to market.

And you can bet both will be spectacular as Eastman is not in a rush and won't send anything to market before it is precisely dialed in.

Doc wrote:I’m especially interested in seeing/hearing the “lights out” rotary F tuba Chris Olka mentioned in his latest video.

Interesting... I had to bail on the video before it got to that part (ran out of time to watch...)

A dealer friend provided me with a list of upcoming Eastman Eb tubas with model numbers and prices (2 compensating 3+1 horns and the front valve model with 3 different bell widths), but pictures and info on their website are nowhere to be found. Why are they so slow in providing publicity materials?

GC wrote:A dealer friend provided me with a list of upcoming Eastman Eb tubas with model numbers and prices (2 compensating 3+1 horns and the front valve model with 3 different bell widths), but pictures and info on their website are nowhere to be found. Why are they so slow in providing publicity materials?

I'm definitely interested in those Eb options! The current Eastman Eb is good but with the 17" bell I felt the sound was too close to my F sound.

There is a pic of the rotary F on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... 273&type=3" target="_blank
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... 860&type=3" target="_blank

Not sure yet on production models, I’m guessing 2019.

As I understand it and according to Chris Olka in his new video he said that it was lights out the best rotary F he has played, so I would guess it’s not too far off.

I’m a little out of the loop on this one because I’m not really a rotary guy. I did play the horn that inspired the Eastman, Bobo’s PT8 and it was killer.

The piston F was bad *** too, but I’ve heard that that will come along a bit later.

I’ve heard the number $5000, but that sounds a little low to me. I would guess maybe around $6000, but that’s more of a shot in the dark than insider information.
B

Bump for more information

I understand from Chuck Kerrigan, who is the Low Brass Product Manager at Eastman, that the rotary F is ready and will be on sale in April or May 2019!

Any updates on the production release and price? I wonder how it compares with the Wessex Linz F just released.

Do you recall how the low c was on the Eastman?

Doc wrote:For clarification:

My comments above were regarding the rotary F that Wayne mentioned. I have neither seen nor played the elusive piston F from Eastman mentioned by the OP.

Very few people have. I remember seeing photos of it on a post a while back, from when someone had encountered it at a trade show in China. When I asked about the tuba at Midwest, the rep told me that the tuba was "not yet ready for primetime" and it had somehow made it into that Chinese trade show by mistake. Eastman had not intended to show it yet, and were not happy about it.

Assuming it's on par with the rest of their offerings when it is finally released, it'll be a winner.

This is getting exciting.

Imagine a 4/4 F tuba with the low-range and intonation of a good Yamaha yfb-621, and the breadth and depth of sound of a Hirsbrunner F, and the singing high-range of a handmade German rotary F (like a Rudy Meinl). Then, give it a $6-7K price-tag, and have the disassemble option that some of the other Eastmans have.

This has the potential to be a very fun and exciting new instrument. I like that Eastman is being patient and trying to get it right.

Played the piston prototype and a new 6 valve version of the rotary on Wednesday. The piston will be going through some very minor tweaks, it's super close to being done. It's everything I want in a piston F, singing, bright German F sound with the ease in the low register to play anything. In a few months this horn will be a slam dunk.

New 6V rotary was AWESOME! Mine is already on order. I have a prototype rotary F for a concerto performance and have used it in a few recent videos on my YouTube Channel. Those who are interested should definitely check that out!

Scott Sutherland wrote:Played the piston prototype and a new 6 valve version of the rotary on Wednesday. The piston will be going through some very minor tweaks, it's super close to being done. It's everything I want in a piston F, singing, bright German F sound with the ease in the low register to play anything. In a few months this horn will be a slam dunk.

New 6V rotary was AWESOME! Mine is already on order. I have a prototype rotary F for a concerto performance and have used it in a few recent videos on my YouTube Channel. Those who are interested should definitely check that out!

I'm very interested to try this, I love 6V F tubas. Is it similar in appearance to the PT9/12/16/Symphonie?

To date we have no information on a piston version of the EM F-Tuba. What can be said is that the relatively new RT-62 mouthpiece, PT-62 in Europe, works very well on the rotary version.

Bob Tucci