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Sometime while I'm in college I want to buy a Wessex British F tuba to use as my bass tuba. An odd choice, but I'm set on this preference. I would want to pair it with a good mouthpiece with a nice, comfortable rim. Thanks guys!

Hi - you may want to give the mouthpiece that's supplied a go first as its supposed to be based on the original supplied with the early Barlow style F tubas - its likely to be a different beast to many other F's you've tried before.

There's also a Facebook group dedicated to this type of instrument "Harry Barlow and the British F tuba" that's probably worth a look for you.

Cheers -Simon

Simonk wrote:Hi - you may want to give the mouthpiece that's supplied a go first as its supposed to be based on the original supplied with the early Barlow style F tubas - its likely to be a different beast to many other F's you've tried before.

There's also a Facebook group dedicated to this type of instrument "Harry Barlow and the British F tuba" that's probably worth a look for you.

Cheers -Simon

I'll join that group right away then! Thank you so much!

In college I played a Besson compensating F that was the same size as this Wessex. That horn (owned by the University of Miami) had a standard size receiver on it, and played nicely with a PT-64. For me, that horn was super responsive and intuitive to play in all registers. However, the scale was almost totally unmanageable. Hopefully Wessex has done something about the scale while maintaining the responsiveness.

Definitely try the mouthpiece supplied with it first. If you reach out to me after you purchase one, we can discuss some options depending on what you want to be different.

Kermit wrote:Definitely try the mouthpiece supplied with it first. If you reach out to me after you purchase one, we can discuss some options depending on what you want to be different.

Thank you! Sadly it won't be now, but in the range of my 2nd-3rd year of college, and I'm starting my high school senior year. Can't wait to own one!

As others have said, definitely think about starting with whatever mouthpiece it comes with, if it does. If not, a Denis Wick 3L or 4L should be about right.

tbonesullivan wrote:As others have said, definitely think about starting with whatever mouthpiece it comes with, if it does. If not, a Denis Wick 3L or 4L should be about right.

I'll most likely spend a month or so with the given piece, and then I'll try out the collection on it haha. I just want a comfortable rim - so I'm hoping for a rim that isn't like a Helleberg.

tobysima` wrote:I'll most likely spend a month or so with the given piece, and then I'll try out the collection on it haha. I just want a comfortable rim - so I'm hoping for a rim that isn't like a Helleberg.

You'll have to see what their "Modern interpretation of original mouthpiece" ends up being. In the pictures, it does look suspiciously Helleberg shaped. Like all starting tuba players, I ran out and got a Helleberg, a return, for $35. I found that the flat rim just is not my thing. Not for trombone either.

tbonesullivan wrote:

tobysima` wrote:I'll most likely spend a month or so with the given piece, and then I'll try out the collection on it haha. I just want a comfortable rim - so I'm hoping for a rim that isn't like a Helleberg.

You'll have to see what their "Modern interpretation of original mouthpiece" ends up being. In the pictures, it does look suspiciously Helleberg shaped. Like all starting tuba players, I ran out and got a Helleberg, a return, for $35. I found that the flat rim just is not my thing. Not for trombone either.

The part where the rim meets the cup digs into my face, and feels sharp. I don't like it at all. The cup and sound quality is good, though.

tobysima` wrote:The part where the rim meets the cup digs into my face, and feels sharp. I don't like it at all. The cup and sound quality is good, though.

Yeah, that rim bite gets me as well. It's also partly due to that flat rim. I suppose they could make a more beveled version. Someone probably already has.

tbonesullivan wrote:

tobysima` wrote:The part where the rim meets the cup digs into my face, and feels sharp. I don't like it at all. The cup and sound quality is good, though.

Yeah, that rim bite gets me as well. It's also partly due to that flat rim. I suppose they could make a more beveled version. Someone probably already has.

Yeah, I'm either looking at Giddings or Parker. Not sure what to get from them, but I've reached out. The piece I'm using now on my C tuba is better suited for an Eb or an F tuba.

This is just an example what I experienced recently (within the last 1,5 years) with my british style tuba:
After starting with the DW 1L and then long time (>15 years) using the DW 1XL (different cup style) for my 17" Besson BBb, I made a lot of progress with the PT88(+) and finally achieved the best results for me with an old style G&W Bayamo heavy. In the retrospect the positive change after some experiments back and forth with some other pieces I own is incredible. I found this interesting since I had only played german style tubas and mouthpieces before having the Besson and the mpcs I had back then did not work for me when I got this instrument. So I first searched within the for me obvious british style DW line which I thought worked well for me until I knew better.

Of course these pieces are all far to big regarding overall dimensions for your planned F but I think that this may indicate what cup profiles in a smaller size might be right for sound and playability of british style instruments within the Giddings or Perantucci range.

As you wrote I'd ask the manufacturers for hints instead of just playing mind games. Ivan Giddings helped me a lot (with success for me AND him ) with the mouthpiece decision for my Alex after I described him my different mouthpiece expericences and preferences.

Edit: When playing F (german style), I found the Yamaha Roger Bobo series really working fine, the Solo was always quite narrow for me but was a good choice for my F tuba playing when doing the upper parts in the symphonic wind youth orchestra back then.

Thomas

A.N.Other wrote:This is just an example what I experienced recently (within the last 1,5 years) with my british style tuba:
After starting with the DW 1L and then long time (>15 years) using the DW 1XL (different cup style) for my 17" Besson BBb, I made a lot of progress with the PT88(+) and finally achieved the best results for me with an old style G&W Bayamo heavy. In the retrospect the positive change after some experiments back and forth with some other pieces I own is incredible. I found this interesting since I had only played german style tubas and mouthpieces before having the Besson and the mpcs I had back then did not work for me when I got this instrument. So I first searched within the for me obvious british style DW line which I thought worked well for me until I knew better.

Of course these pieces are all far to big regarding overall dimensions for your planned F but I think that this may indicate what cup profiles in a smaller size might be right for sound and playability of british style instruments within the Giddings or Perantucci range.

As you wrote I'd ask the manufacturers for hints instead of just playing mind games. Ivan Giddings helped me a lot (with success for me AND him ) with the mouthpiece decision for my Alex after I described him my different mouthpiece expericences and preferences.

Edit: When playing F (german style), I found the Yamaha Roger Bobo series really working fine, the Solo was always quite narrow for me but was a good choice for my F tuba playing when doing the upper parts in the symphonic wind youth orchestra back then.

Thomas

I have been looking for a new CC & BBb mouthpiece - I use a Giardinelli 25 and it's something I'd consider an F tuba mouthpiece. I talked to Daniel Ridder about his mouthpiece, and sent an email to Giddings & Parker. I am interested in Daniel's mouthpieces, and I would like something like a Helleberg but something like my Giardinelli rim. I think it's more like a Laskey, but I really don't know. I'll probably either get one of Daniel's heavy mouthpieces, or get a Parker or Giardinelli like a Helleberg.

You won't be wrong with Daniel's advice (or from other objective pro players) as long as you describe your preferences and target properly.

A.N.Other wrote:You won't be wrong with Daniel's advice (or from other objective pro players) as long as you describe your preferences and target properly.

That's what I figured. I shot Parker and Giddings emails, too, so I can be sure.

tobysima` wrote:I have been looking for a new CC & BBb mouthpiece - I use a Giardinelli 25 and it's something I'd consider an F tuba mouthpiece. I talked to Daniel Ridder about his mouthpiece, and sent an email to Giddings & Parker. I am interested in Daniel's mouthpieces, and I would like something like a Helleberg but something like my Giardinelli rim. I think it's more like a Laskey, but I really don't know. I'll probably either get one of Daniel's heavy mouthpieces, or get a Parker or Giardinelli like a Helleberg.

Have you looked at any of the modular offerings? That seems to be one of the easiest ways to get to the "like this mouthpiece but with a different rim" goal.

tbonesullivan wrote:

tobysima` wrote:I have been looking for a new CC & BBb mouthpiece - I use a Giardinelli 25 and it's something I'd consider an F tuba mouthpiece. I talked to Daniel Ridder about his mouthpiece, and sent an email to Giddings & Parker. I am interested in Daniel's mouthpieces, and I would like something like a Helleberg but something like my Giardinelli rim. I think it's more like a Laskey, but I really don't know. I'll probably either get one of Daniel's heavy mouthpieces, or get a Parker or Giardinelli like a Helleberg.

Have you looked at any of the modular offerings? That seems to be one of the easiest ways to get to the "like this mouthpiece but with a different rim" goal.

I have. I also may buy Daniel Ridder's heavy mouthpiece he offers.