Practicality of switching to 5V Eb

[GC]

For some of us it becomes a matter of mental flexibility. I will fully admit that I still have BBb moments galore when sight-reading even though I moved to Eb exclusively about a decade ago. I play a 4-valve Conn monster, and below low A the 4th valve fingerings have to be shifted a half step down; Ab is 124 through 1234 for low F (very sharp) and there is no E just above the pedal Eb. Ab, G, and Gb are easy to adjust into pitch, but the F is difficult. If the music is moving quickly in that register, the change in fingerings slows me down a lot, and even more in treble clef. My normal solution, false tones, does not work well on this instrument.

In my case switching to a 5-valve horn would only add to the confusion, though it would definitely help intonation issues. Instead, I plan to switch over to a compensating horn soon, even if it has its own set of intonation quirks, just to simplify the fingering issues.

[Steginkt]

If only we could split the difference and have a tuba in D

[DouglasJB]

Im trying to split the difference between F and CC, Eb is about as close as I can get. Haha

[GC]

If only we could split the difference and have a tuba in D

Didn't Roger Bobo have tubas built in D and G?

[opus37]

I ve been playing an Eb for the last 30 years. I did start out on a BBb, but after a 10 year sabbatical, I found an Eb at an auction for a very attractive price and just started playing it. I have had a lot of Eb horns over the years. The one that I prefer to play is a Miraphone EEb 383. It is an older one similar to a Norwegian Star. I also have a Kanstul 66T. I find the Miraphone does everything, but I like the more mellow sound on the Kanstul for band. The Miraphone is great for solo and brass quintet. If I had to downsize to only one horn, it would be the Miraphone.

[greatk82]

I had no problem supporting a 30 piece community band today on my Eb Frankentuba. The tritone 5th calve seems to help.

[DonShirer]

     I had an MW2141 in a community band and traded it for a lighter instrument that was easier to carry. Then the other tuba player quit, and I had to go back to a larger horn to provide more bass support since I was the only remaining tubist. Shoulda kept the 2141 (although my newest 5v has slightly better intonation).

[DouglasJB]

I had no problem supporting a 30 piece community band today on my Eb Frankentuba. The tritone 5th calve seems to help.

I remember the horn, how's it treating you?

[Jay Bertolet]

I just played a gig last night that had on the program both Berlioz Hungarian March and Bernstein Candide Overture. There was also a few cimbasso pieces so I had to bring that horn. I wasn't bring three horns so I did the Bernstein on the Willson 3400S Eb and brought only the Willson Eb with the cimbasso. Worked like a charm. The Willson 3400S is, in my opinion, maybe the most versatile Eb tuba out there.