TubeNet

Maybe this should be part of the regular tuba-related TubeNet section, but it starts out with a flute.

My lovely wife is a harmony flute aficionado. It all started when I noticed that Giardinelli had a Yamaha alto in their B-stock list. I pointed it out to her and she got curious and bought it. FWIW, thie flute had no scratches, dings or blems; beats me why a brand new and very popular alto wound up in B-stock--anyway she was hooked.

Over the years, she's owned several altos and basses; she's had a custom alto and bass built for her and they were very good indeed, but still required some tweaking to get them just right.

Last week, the UPS truck showed up with another box containing a Kotato&Fukishima bass that she'd ordered over a year ago at NFA.

To make a long story short, the flute was flawless--it was perfectly adjusted right out of the box, the key action is smooth as silk, the fit, finish and plating are immaculate and it plays with a beautiful full tone. She says that it's one of the most responsive flutes she's ever played. In short, she's tickled pink.

But that got me to thinking--who would be the equivalent manufacturer in the tuba field? In other words, who wouild be your nomination for someone who delivers a flawlessly assembled instrument that plays in tune, has magnificent ergonomics and is ready to go right out of the box?

Yamaha IMO. I am yet to find a professional level level Yamaha tuba which was a stinker.

Yamaha and Mirafone. I bought a YBB-641 out of the box that is the best instrument I have ever owned. I know they are much maligned, but this one is extra good.

BTW, Chuck(G), that was just good Vegas mojo for your wifes flute. Riviera stock has been up consistently since that convention. Is that a coincidence? I think not. Watch your mail box, everything cleared and there is something coming your way.

Chuck

I'll grant that Miraphone and Yamaha have mass-production techniques down solid, but that's only part of the question.

When a new flute comes in, my wife takes it to her technician (who's also a flute maker) and he goes over it with a fine-toothed comb. Usually, there's a pad that needs tweaking or a tenon that needs adjusting. He'll look for finish problems and point them out or he may recommend that she send the instrument back to the builder for more serious problems.

When the Kotato bass came in, she said there was dead silence for a time as Craig looked it over. Then, "wow" and "now, that's clever" and "incredible". Nothing needed to be adjusted, he was amazed at the attention to tiny details. In the world of bass flutes (and down to double contrabass flutes), apparently Kotato is regarded as top of the heap.

I'll grant that Miraphone and Yamaha have good consistency, but I don't hear folks saying "When I can get the cash together, I'm going to order a Yamaha".

Chuck(G) wrote:I'll grant that Miraphone and Yamaha have good consistency, but I don't hear folks saying "When I can get the cash together, I'm going to order a Yamaha".

Exactly, but I understood the question to be along the lines of consistancy moreso than which instruments are favored overall.

I prefer most other brands over Yamaha, but they do have consistancy down.