TubeNet

Hi everybody,

I’m currently in the market for an F tuba and I’m looking to try out a lot of them in one go. I know conferences are generally the best place to do this, and the big ones are Midwest and the Army conference. Unfortunately, I have/had commitments that keep/kept me from going to both of those conferences this year. But I know TMEA is also a big one. Does anyone have experience knowing what the tuba selection at TMEA is like? I’m mainly interested in the whole B&S line and the whole Miraphone line of F tubas. I’d also love to try out some of the new contrabass models from the top companies as well. I was reading the post about Midwest and it sounds like there was a big selection there, so I’d love to hear from anyone who has been to the conference what the Texas selection is usually like.

Thanks!

Jim Andrus

That’s good to hear! And yes I should have been more clear, I’m sure there are plenty of horns in their lineups that won’t be there. Of the Miraphones I’m really interested in the Elektra, Firebird, or Bel Canto, or possibly the Petrushka. Of the B&S mainly interested in the classics: PT-10 or 15, but also interested in trying a MRP or the JBL. Thank you for the advice!

Mark Finley wrote:
Miraphone, wessex, meinl, Eastman, packer, BMB, And yamaha (they don't bring their pro stuff, it is an educators convention).

I’m curious, are you referring mainly to Yamaha not bringing their pro equipment or to all of the listed companies? I’m not personally interested in the Yamaha F tubas but just want to make sure there will be enough top of the line F tubas from the manufacturers I listed above there to make it worth the trip. Thanks for the clarification!

Might not be a bad idea to email the marketing folks at each of these companies to see what they are planning on bringing. When I was in the industry, it I knew someone wanted something at a booth, I tried to honor that request as much as I could. Hope this helps!

bloke wrote:I dunno if they are still building 826 C tubas, but - were I them - I wouldn't be hauling in one for a bunch of idiots to whoop-up-on and spit-in either. Those are damn-nice tubas...and too nice to make one into a scratch-and-dent "demo".

I expect not. I heard a rumor (and maybe this has already been covered on the board) that a 826 owner sold his tuba to Eastman and they used it to copy and produce their 836.

I can't imagine Yamaha was happy about that...

Wessex will have the full arsenal at TMEA, including the newest models as well as the niche instruments (ophicleide, cimbasso, etc).