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There are, quite surprisingly, a YBB-631S and a YBB-632S down at Dillon Music right now. Not very common to see Bb compensating tubas this side of the pond. I can find a fair amount of info about the 632S, which is a Neo series, but there isn't nearly as much about the 631S.

Does anyone have any experience with the 631S? It's the direct predecessor of the 632S, but I understand there was a lot of artist involvement in developing the Neo series of low brass instruments. Would it be a decent tuba for a doubler? As I'm now playing a 3+1 euphonium, I wouldn't have to learn any new fingerings, and there are actually some brass bands in the area, so it would probably fit in better.

I had thought to look for some Eb 3+1 tubas in the area, but they are far more hard to find than BBb compensators apparently.

Decent, yes. Superlative, no. Good deal? Only the $1895 one listed.

Well, it's not a bad price, especially when compared to a lot of the other tubas, including the 632S. It's more than twice as much, though I don't think it's twice the tuba. I may go down just to try some out this weekend, and pretend I can play tuba again. Having a double size euphonium seems like it could have advantages.

Last time I tried out tubas, I tried some 2431s, and they just did not work for me. I think my airstream concept was not working right. Or I just need to get used to the "delay" in sound from a BBb tuba.

I have read several negative reviews of the Ybb 631 on here. Search for Andy Cattanach and some of his posts briefly discuss them. The 631 appears to have the same body as the Ybb201 and Ybb301, whereas the 632 has a bigger bell and a few more subtle mods.

The YBB632 is a fantastic tuba, but my memories of it are before I became better at judging my own intonation, so the disclaimer is intonation. The 632 sounds closer to a a similar size CC tuba or even the 19 inch compensated Eb tubas, as it has lots of clarity. The 632 tuba could also be used outside the Brass Band world and still sound appropriate, whereas the Besson 994 just sounds woofy. The 632 is actually comfortable to hold, with the relocated 4th valve, unlike other compensated Bb tubas I have tried and what I imagine the 631 would be like. The 631 would have a longer reach to the 4th valve. The 632 valves also have a shorter stroke (but maybe the same as the 631?) than other Bb tubas, due to clever porting.

I regret selling my 632, but had to because piston valves and right leaning tubas dont agree with me physically.

Most Brass Bands are desperate for players to play Bb tuba, so either tuba should get you in the door. You will just enjoy the 632 more, assuming its not a dud.

I searched, and found some reviews that did speak favorably of it. I'm also a NON EXPERT tubist, so pretty much anything would work. As a trombone player, I'm used to contorting my body into strange shapes to fit into whatever small space I have been allotted. I looked for posts by AndyCat, but couldn't find any particularly related to the 631. Also the EEb 631 comes up as well, which is expected.

I kind of want the smaller bell, as it probably would fit better into a brass band setting, which is one of the uses I am considering. Of course that also means, time to learn more treble clef.

I'll have to see how the 631 fits me this weekend hopefully. Looking at it, the +1 valve really is kinda hidden under the 3rd valve tubing. The Neo 632 has it much more accessible. Thankfully, I'm 6'2", so hopefully it wouldn't be an issue, but for people with shorter arms, I can see how it would be a real pain. That probably explains why they tend to go for far less than the Neo 632.

I got to try out both the YBB 631 and the YBB 632 at Dillon Music Today. Of course, my tuba playing ability is just not very good. My previous attempts with a King 2341 did not go well.

This went a little better. The 631 ergonomically works perfectly. On my right leg, the mouthpiece lines up perfectly, and the +1 valve is easy to ready. With the 632, it must be taller, so I had to drop it down a little, which moved it over and just didn't work as well. The front valve was nice, I guess, but I really didn't feel it helped it that much ergonomically.

Playing wise, the 631 was kinda hard to get to slot. I felt the 632 may have slotted a bit better, but overall both just felt a bit "ponderous" to me. Maybe they are just too big of a horn. Both of them were in very good shape though, and I suppose with more practice, I might get more used to them. The jump to BBb is definitely larger than the jump to Eb.

However, I also got to try out a Yamaha Eb YEB-321, and the sound and ability to actually play it was night and day. If only they had an intermediate that was a 3+1 arrangement. I was using a Helleberg 7b for almost all of this play testing.

I find that I just really like the feel of the top action 3+1 setup. So this pretty much means, if I'm going to get a tuba, it's going to be British style. I may go back this weekend to mess around with the 631 some more.

Well, after playing on the 631 a bunch, I kinda bonded with it. Matt at Dillon gave me some good pointers, and I took it home with me. Now I begin the process in earnest of learning how to slow down my air stream.