Why brass bands should feature compensating BB/Eb tubas

[Matt G]

Thank you, MTV, for your influence on 1990s camera work.

[TubaBeage]

..and we get to sit down.

[AndyCat]

Wow that's a blast from the past!

(And obviously, I completely agree with bloke)

[AndyCat]

If you want something more recent, but equally as valid, this is our performance from last year's British Open:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SBOU-_R55s

[Ace]

If you want something more recent, but equally as valid, this is our performance from last year's British Open:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SBOU-_R55s

Wow! What a great ensemble. Nice work!

Ace

[GC]

Why would it matter? All tubas sound just alike anyway.

[roughrider]

If you want something more recent, but equally as valid, this is our performance from last year's British Open:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SBOU-_R55s

A fantastic performance! Well Done!

[WessCollette]

Why would it matter? All tubas sound just alike anyway.

Says the guy with an appropriate instrument. I would like to try yours at some point when this is over.

[GC]

Why would it matter? All tubas sound just alike anyway.

Says the guy with an appropriate instrument. I would like to try yours at some point when this is over.

No sweat. I don't see it happening for a while, though. I need to try your Mack CC, too.

[jperry1466]

If you want something more recent, but equally as valid, this is our performance from last year's British Open:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SBOU-_R55s

How wonderful is that?

[olaness1]

If only they could design some compensated Bb's that didn't require you to be a certain size (decidedly taller and with longer arms than me) to play effectively, and that didn't leave you in serious pain from a contest run-up.

[GC]

Wessex makes a 5/4 compensating tuba that is wrapped to be not too much bigger than a 3+1 Eb bass (the Excelsior?). It was gone from their website for a couple of days but it's back now; they're having a sale currently on their 2018 stock. Wyvern has a link to it further down the page.

They also currently have a huge compensator called the Leviathan https://wessex-tubas.com/collections/bb ... 81h-tb691h. It's an easy reach to the 4th valve because of its unusual location. The more expensive hand-hammered version is light for a tuba this huge. Wessex recommends a stand for playing this beast.

I've been told that the Packer JP 378 and 278 3+1 compensating BBb's are better ergonomically and more comfortable to play than most other horns of their type. Never been able to try one, though.

[olaness1]

I know about those. Still fail to see one that doesn't qualify as an ergonomic disaster zone though.

[Heavy_Metal]

Both excellent performances!

And compensators are ergonomic nightmares for me too- I have a lot of trouble reaching those fourth valves.

[marccromme]

Why? Probably only tradition and conformity. Unfortunately, TA 3+1 compensators in BB are totally an ergonomic nightmare, being only 170 cm height and thus having shorter arms than others. I can handle a top action compensator EB, but a 5 valve front action EB gives me more breathing freedom. So, the day I want to buy my own BB tuba for brass band use, it will be a 5 valve 5/4, probably MW, miraphone wessex or willson. No matter what tradition dictates.

[GC]

Regarding conformity, does anyone know of brass bands that use all Besson or Yamaha Neo instruments? I can suppose that all-Besson bands would not be uncommon in Britain. Yamaha less so because they're a recent development.

[AndyCat]

There are bands that do both. We have 3 Yams and 1 Besson (EEb)

[tbonesullivan]

How often are the Willson and Miraphone offerings for 3+1 compensating horns seen? They are the only other brands I can think of off hand that make them currently.

[Steve Marcus]

How often are the Willson and Miraphone offerings for 3+1 compensating horns seen? They are the only other brands I can think of off hand that make them currently.

Wessex has had its 5/4 3+1 compensating Eb "Champion" and 3+1 compensating 5/4 BBb "Exselsior" available for some time.

The new 6/4 3+1 compensating BBb Leviathan will soon be joined by a new 6/4 compensating 3+1 Eb bass.

[tbonesullivan]

AHH!! I forgot completely about Wessex. They even have a British Style F tuba coming out. I keep seeing a used Bombino down at Baltimore Brass that is always tempting me, but part of me is really waiting for a Yamaha YEB-631, so I'll have the full set.