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I also posed this on the book of faces. As most know I’ve been shopping small bell, front action Eb tubas. I’m wanting to complement my Miraphone 289 rather than get a horn that’s basically the same in a different key. Someone asked why not get a smaller Bb. So I pose the question can the same sound concept be achieved from say a Yamaha YBB 621 over a Willson 3400 compact Eb or Besson 984(small bell, front action Eb)

JJ

Maybe the same type of sound concept, but the BBb is always going to be quite a bit longer than the Eb tuba, so the feel and response will not be the same.

Have you looked at the Miraphone rotary offerings, like the Starlight or Norwegian Star?

For a short time I have a Big Bell Comp Eb, Besson 983, YCB621 all at the same time. I found the 621 and Imperial 19" bell to have very similar sound characteristic and could be used with the same niche. But of course they played differently. The 983 had a slightly more direct and "small horn" sound concept and though I haven't played the 984 but I assume it would help the contrasting sound instead of being similar to your 289.

I have bought too many horns sight un-seen, and I will not be doing that anymore. Horns are a lot of money, and for me I need to know exactly what I am getting now. For me I can't hear the grass grow, and I not at the point of picking same model vs same model. I wouldn't by a horn I haven't at least tried a example of.

tbonesullivan wrote:Maybe the same type of sound concept, but the BBb is always going to be quite a bit longer than the Eb tuba, so the feel and response will not be the same.

Have you looked at the Miraphone rotary offerings, like the Starlight or Norwegian Star?

I have, and I went to ITEC and played all the Eb's didnt occur to me to try some smaller Bb offerings.

JJ

OK - I've used quite a number of various EEb's over the years and currently have a Willson 3400TA with an earlier 17" bell and a Meinl Weston 2040 5 valve rotary again with a 17" bell. The Willson is quicker for articulation but the MW is far better in the lower range (no compensating resistance to worry about) & can do the work of a similar size CC tuba pretty well.

A lot will depend on who you are playing with - ?wind band vs amateur orchestra vs pro orchestra with a full size/ sound string section...it's a team sport after all.

Have a look at Mike Johnson's work on 4th valve replumbing which can significantly improve the compensation on a standard Sov EEb;

http://m-j-c.co.uk/customising/index.html" target="_blank

Jerryleejr wrote:I have, and I went to ITEC and played all the Eb's didnt occur to me to try some smaller Bb offerings.

JJ

ah, those are both EEb, but standard german rotary style, instead of British style EEb.

bloke wrote:I suspect this thread is a troll.
Real tuba players only play 6/4 piston C tubas.

Real men would hunt down WWII listening devices and play those..

bloke wrote:I suspect this thread is a troll.
Real tuba players only play 6/4 piston C tubas.

You caught me I’m actually a banjo player trying to infiltrate the cool guy club...

JJ