Off the Market: Willson 3200 RZ-5

[KyleRichter]

Up for sale is my five valve, silver Willson rotor F, with the fifth valve reconfigured to be in the right hand from the original left hand setup. It’s silver plated, no dings or dents, just some miscoloration on the silver in spots. I believe the horn was built around 2004, and plays better and more secure in the low register than any other F tuba I’ve tried, regardless of pistons or rotors. It’s got a great big sound, plays well in tune with minimal slide movements, and plays really well as a “do it all” sort of horn.

I bought this horn from Joe Sellmansberger right after I tried it in Knoxville at ITEC 2016, so you know it was well taken care of and brought up to factory original settings, aside from the right hand reconfiguring of the fifth valve.

Asking $9,500 for the tuba including a cordura Cronkhite bag made just before Glenn retired and sold the company. Located in Long Beach, CA, just south of Los Angeles, and would prefer avoiding shipping, unless the buyer wants to cover the cost/risk.

Pictures found here: https://imgur.com/a/0lrDs" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

If you have any questions or interest, feel free to message me.

[KyleRichter]

Yeah it’s a great horn, honestly does everything you could possibly want, and very well, but somehow I find myself again wanting something new and different haha. The Willson horns are such tanks with massive core heavy sounds it seems, and it’s fantastic!

[smitwill1]

Any idea how it compares to a YFB 822 w/r/t low range and intonation?

[KyleRichter]

Yeah I’ve played it next to an 822 a bunch, and compared them. They both speak just about as easily as the other in the low range (C below the staff and lower). The Willson actually has a more secure low range around C than the 822, and that’s not to say the 822 is bad at all down there, but the Willson is really good in terms of that partial being very secure. The fourth and first slide on the Willson are easily reachable, and the slides need only a bit of adjustment for low AB’s, G’s, and F#’s. Overall intonation is pretty close and consistent on the Willson, with a couple notes like C in the staff that are a bit high, but very workable, just like an 822, but usually different notes than each other. The sound of the Willson is more directional/clear to my ear than an 822, but still with a lot of resonance. The 822 is a little more broad and round in comparison.

[smitwill1]

Nice description. Thanks!