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Has anyone played the 4 valve BBb 6/4 Front-Piston Tuba "Grand" - TB692H?
How does it compare to the Viverna and the Luzern?
Was it at the Army workshop?

The Viverna and Lucerne were not there but I play the Jinbao Cousin of them.

The Grand was there. It is significantly larger and unwieldy, but it sounded great, was easy blowing and valves were better. I’d consider it if I needed a 6/4 for 5k but I don’t so....

I played one at Midwest in December. Huge tuba, and it weighed a ton. I'd use a stand if you decide to get one. It played pretty well, but I liked the Prokofiev better. Check out Chris Olka's video review on YouTube. That'll give you an impression of what it's capable of.

The TB692H Grand is intended to be a modern successor to the Conn 2XJ and Holton 345. The Grand will be ideal to put a broad bass foundation under any large concert band.

Wessex hope through the Grand to bring back that great American concert band sound.

The Grand is much BIGGER than the Viverna or Luzern

Sousaswag wrote:Huge tuba, and it weighed a ton.

Just out of curiosity, how many pounds in that particular ton?

The specs say 29 lbs and 12 Oz, so 30 is correct. I own one and it is heavy, but doesn't feel cumbersome and is agile for its size. I don't use a tuba rest, although I do have one for the Rudy I used to own. If I had known there was going to be a lighter, hand hammered version, I would have waited. But, for a 71 year old , it still is not too heavy for now.

Rick

My 25J weighed 31 pounds, so this is within the ballpark . . . but with a much different shape.

rperrym wrote: If I had known there was going to be a lighter, hand hammered version, I would have waited.

Just to clarify, the hand hammered TB693H Prokofiev is a completely different tuba from the Grand and not a lighter version. Different bell, bows, valve set and lead pipe. It actually has much more in common with the TC695H CC Chicago-York

The Wessex website says the Prokofiev only weighs 24 lbs. versus my Grand, which weighs 30 lbs.

Correct. He's saying they are different tubas however...

I have the 5 valve grand (that was out for a short time before the Prokofiev came out and they made the Grand in 4 valves only) I absolutely love it. It is a big heavy tuba, but that hasn't bothered me much. TONS of sound and the intonation seems pretty good. I've noticed a few notes that don't slot particularly well here or there, but that is getting better as I continue to get more time in on the horn. Low range is awesome, really really in tune right down through to the pedal (with 5 valves, so 4 valve low range mileage may vary). Very smooth, and soft around the edges, takes quite a bit of effort to get punch or edge, but I'm also a 6/4 novice.