Fuba
-
Tubanapoleon
- bugler
- Posts: 35
- Joined: Thu Jul 13, 2006 3:15 pm
- Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Fuba
The YFB 822 and MW 45slp two very good large F tubas, but they have their differences.
YFB 822s are fairly consistant and generally play great. The low register sounds like a CC tuba, and the sound can be huge when needed. Intonation is generally quite good, high register notes above middle C tend to be a little flat. This is Jim Self's favorite F tuba, and his plays great. I personally prefer the YFB 621, but the 822 is a fine F tuba. The one drawback is the sound quality: in most cases, the sound could be described as bland, and not very exciting. Not the "characteristic" F tuba sound. Some players are able to produce a great sound with these horns, but many cannot, and other F tubas generally get a better sound.
The MW 45slp is another great horn, and unlike the 822, produces a more characteristic F tuba sound, by that I mean rich in overtones and color. Like the 822, this is a large F tuba that can put out an incredible amount of sound (hence the 6/4 designation) and has the advantages of piston valves. The drawbacks with this F are the consistancy and the low register. While there are some great MW 45slp tubas out there, they aren't as consistant as 822s. I've tried 3 different 45slp's, some were better than others, and each 45 had its own unique little quirks. I had to make different adjustments for each horn. The low register is quite good generally, but not as good as the 822. Particularly, low C's and Bb's were hard to center.
I think the MW 45slp gets a better sound in you can get a good horn, but the 822's are better all-purpose F tubas. I went with the YFB 621 because it still has a great low register but a much better sound quality throughout. Of course the drawback now is that I have a tiny F tuba that could almost pass for a euph and can edge out if I'm not careful. In the end, it all depends on the horn you sound best with. The moral of my rant: they're both great F tubas, just try both and find out which horn you sound best on.
YFB 822s are fairly consistant and generally play great. The low register sounds like a CC tuba, and the sound can be huge when needed. Intonation is generally quite good, high register notes above middle C tend to be a little flat. This is Jim Self's favorite F tuba, and his plays great. I personally prefer the YFB 621, but the 822 is a fine F tuba. The one drawback is the sound quality: in most cases, the sound could be described as bland, and not very exciting. Not the "characteristic" F tuba sound. Some players are able to produce a great sound with these horns, but many cannot, and other F tubas generally get a better sound.
The MW 45slp is another great horn, and unlike the 822, produces a more characteristic F tuba sound, by that I mean rich in overtones and color. Like the 822, this is a large F tuba that can put out an incredible amount of sound (hence the 6/4 designation) and has the advantages of piston valves. The drawbacks with this F are the consistancy and the low register. While there are some great MW 45slp tubas out there, they aren't as consistant as 822s. I've tried 3 different 45slp's, some were better than others, and each 45 had its own unique little quirks. I had to make different adjustments for each horn. The low register is quite good generally, but not as good as the 822. Particularly, low C's and Bb's were hard to center.
I think the MW 45slp gets a better sound in you can get a good horn, but the 822's are better all-purpose F tubas. I went with the YFB 621 because it still has a great low register but a much better sound quality throughout. Of course the drawback now is that I have a tiny F tuba that could almost pass for a euph and can edge out if I'm not careful. In the end, it all depends on the horn you sound best with. The moral of my rant: they're both great F tubas, just try both and find out which horn you sound best on.
