Morning all,
I have spent the last few months looking at Eb tubas and have purchased two in that time.
The Eb is probably the most popular tuba in the UK. Used in brass bands, wind bands, and symphony orchestras.
I considered the following (in no particular order) as brand new &/or in used condition: Miraphone, Cerveny, Melton, Besson, Yamaha, Hirsbrunner, St. Petersburg, Willson, Eastman, Kanstul, Gronitz, and the list goes on.
Let’s say my head was spinning with the array on offer.
So, I broke it down into the following criteria:
(a) Manufacturer’s reputation.
(b) Price and value for money.
(c) Compensating or non-compensating.
(d) Rotary or piston valves (or both).
(e) Ergonomics.
(f) Maintenance & care.
(g) Re-sale value and likely ease of that sale.
Not listed is “how it blows” because I took this as read when a player buys a new tuba.
What did I do?
First Tuba Eb
I have played Besson (nay Boosey & Hawkes) British-built tubas for many, many years.
The British factory closed circa 2000, I believe, and manufacture moved to continental Europe.
My understanding is that Besson no-longer make tubas and contract their models to B&S in Germany to make on their behalf.
Having spoken to a number of well-informed people, they recommended going for a pre-1990 Besson Sovereign or Imperial as they thought this was this manufacturer’s Golden Years.
I was delighted to discover that there is quite a buoyant market for used Bessons' of this era.
Example of:
https://www.duchybrass.co.uk/shop/instr ... ***-tubas/
Many have been fully refurbished and fall within the 2,500 GBP to 4,500 GBP (2020EC) price range.
[ I guess shipping UK to Sweden of a tuba may be around 600 GBP ?? ]
I picked out a used and un-refurbished Besson 782, which is an Imperial by any other name.
Three piston values up top and one on side.
For a 1982 ‘ish built tuba it has aged well and blows extremely well, especially in the low register.
I have arranged for some customisation work to be done that includes fitting a new leadpipe and receiver.
Not that expensive to do, but I am not re-plating.
Lots of playing years left in this tuba, for sure. Good buy.
Second Eb tuba
I test blew Miraphone, Meinl-Weston, and St. Pete.
After a great deal of thought afterwards, I decided to look at a cavalry-style tuba with pistons.
I wanted something that was very different to my 782, but not too different.
Having miraculously found for sale a brand new (old-new stock) HBS-488 Hirsbrunner, I was very happy indeed.
Hirsbrunner have not manufactured tubas for many years and Adams had bought all their tooling.
Adams do not intend to manufacture an Eb tuba in the near future I was informed.
The deal fell through for the Hirsbrunner. So sad.
Next, I looked at Willson.
Probably because this tuba was available in stock, without having to wait 6 months whilst your order was being manufactured.
We also had the unknown impact of Brexit, which was looming at the end of 2020.
I purchased a 3400-FA5S, which I have just received.
This has 4 pistons in-front and a thumb trigger for a 5th valve. Non-compensating.
Very responsive and a tight sound in all registers.
Marvellous build quality on first inspection.
But not cheap ending up costing me with a hard case around 10,500 GBP (2020EC).
Only time will tell whether this has been a good buy.
But first impressions are good.
Coda
New Miraphone + case > 11,000 GBP (2020EC)
New Besson 981 + case = 8,000 GBP
Need to check delivery lead-times, too, as they may not be in stock.
My advice is to consider a refurbished Sovereign (or Imperial) ideally pre-1990, and not just look at new buys.
[ Although the earlier models are very heavy, so if for kids use then I would look at a later model in the 1990's ?? ]
You can buy at least two of these for the price of a new Miraphone! - although the Miraphone is a great tuba in its own right.
The 981 is a very good tuba much loved in the UK and a used one should provide decades of service if well looked after.