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I'm a farm animal veterinarian by trade but wanted to take up tuba again after about a 40 year hiatus and maybe play in a community band or something around South Bend.

I called Matt over at Dillon Music a few days ago since I was wanting to buy one of their used Conn 20J's if it was in perfect condition. He informed me that they no longer fool with them nor with my second choice, the King 2341. Instead, as an amateur who wanted an "easy-blowing" horn with fast piston valves, he suggested the Eastman EBB-534 tuba.

I received mine today and just plugged my antique Conn Helleberg (gold with 45 years of tarnish on it -- Brasso fixed that) mouthpiece into it and played for about 15 minutes (my lips are totally shot now). I was amazed at how easily the Meistersinger Overture solo came back after all these years and I'm thrilled with how easy this instrument is for an old geezer to play compared with the old Conn's and Kings. I also remember owning a Holton-branded version of the first model of the Yamaha 4 piston valve tuba. I remember how sticky and hard-to-push those pistons were and marvelled at how mechanically precise, fast, and smooth these pistons are. Tuba making has certainly progressed a lot in 40 years!!!!

For about $4500 with shipping to South Bend, this was a fabulous investment for me. I hope to get back in shape over the next couple of months (15 minutes a day right now, but I've got my copies of Rubanks and Arbans trumpet method still on my bookshelf in addition to all the volumes of Torchinsky's orchestra excerpts.

Now... questions from an amateur....

1) What's the best valve oil? I take it that the Holton yellow stuff is not the "best" anymore? How about slide grease?

2) I have the big Arban's trumpet book. Is the tuba version worth having?

3) Anyone can suggest someone to take lessons from in South Bend or Chicago? I studied with Roger Rocco as a teenager and the with Arnold Jacobs and Dan Perantoni at college. Unfortunately, Mr. Perantoni, even though he's at Indiana University, is a bit geographically far away.

Hi,
Welcome back. I hope you thoroughly enjoy yourself in the quest to get back into playing shape. As far as valve oil you'll probably hear about 8 million different replies. I use the Monster Oil products and am satisfied with them. Others favor clear Lamp Oil. (which is far cheaper to purchase than almost any actual valve oil that I know of. Bottom line is experiment and see what seems to work for you and your unique body chemistry. I have a very old Arban's from college also but the newer version from Encore Press, from the few examples I've seen, might be a good choice. It is very well-produced with the addition of some interesting materials that are not in the original. One version of it that I saw was spiral-bound which I thought was a great addition. Anyway good luck with your musical pursuits.
Pete

Congrats on your new horn!

A few responses from another amateur:
1 - Just ask Matt (Dillon Music). He designed the Eastman 4/4 CC and knows what's going on with Eastman in general. You're going to get a million ideas on this forum, most of which will work, but why not trust the guy who has direct input with the maker of your instrument?
2 - No. I don't see any value in the low brass version of Arban's vs the Trumpet version (if you can read it as Trumpet clef).
3 - I'm not local, so no suggestions here.
Mouthpiece - You mention knocking the tarnish off of a gold mouthpiece??! Was it a gold rim with a silver body? Gold shouldn't tarnish - That seems like an issue worth looking into.

It's such a shame that Conn-Selmer has completely let their tuba line "go to pasture". There are plenty of good used 2341 and 20J's out there, but for new instruments, Eastman really is making some great horns, and definitely (IMHO) a better value than sinking money into a new 2341.

Also Matt knows his stuff. I was there on the weekend while a high school student was picking out his "step up" tuba, and had I think 4 used King 2341 models lined up. Some were bell front, some bell up etc. After trying them out a while, Matt came back and really helped the player pick the tuba that was right for him. Sure it wasn't the best looking tuba, but Matt and another person on staff agreed that of the 2341s they had, it was the best sounding.

So yeah, the Eastman is a great tuba. I just wish they still made an Eb 3+1. They did have an EEb front action compensator.

Regarding that mouthpiece, if it's tarnished, that really doesn't sound like Gold. Maybe it's raw brass?

Good choice for re-entry into the hobby!!

feinstei wrote:I was amazed at how easily the Meistersinger Overture solo came back after all these years and I'm thrilled with how easy this instrument is for an old geezer to play compared with the old Conn's and Kings.

The old Kings at least are some of the easiest and in-tune horns you could find (even for a returning player like yourself). Being upsold to an Eastman is subjective but if it works and you're happy then great.

The Eastman seems lighter than King also...