Wessex 'Excelsior' BBb tuba TB570. Opinions please
Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2020 12:03 pm
What do folks think of the Wessex 'Excelsior'? I live in the middle of the UK - not far from many Championship Section brass bands and leading army/airforce bands - but it's been really difficult to get anyone's personal appraisal of this tuba. I had a 26-year-long chair in a professional orchestra, but nowadays I play mainly socially and my regular seat is in a large symphonic wind band. I played a large Conn 24C BBb of mid-1960s vintage for 10 years but it was a nightmare intonation-wise and HARD work. I'd like something more compact, articulate and predictable, but still capable of impact in a large ensemble. I also prefer the traditional right-bell and 3 top + 1 side valve arrangement of UK tubas. Description-wise Wessex's 'Excelsior' fits the bill but what's it like to PLAY? For instance, does the tight wrap and compensation make it stuffy? All observations very gratefully received