MW Eb tubas

[Steve Inman]

Cool, thanks.


I read that the first models had horrible intonation; when did they change?

I just happend upon this from an unrelated Google search, from the old Tubenet:

Posted by Wayne Forrest on January 27, 2004 at 11:11:45:

I just purchased a Meinl Weston 2141 Eb tuba. Having read previous messages about the horn and changes to it to improve its intonation I contacted MW directly and asked them above what serial number would have these modifications. Here's the response (January 2004.

"Yes you are right we did a lot of testing together with the "Melton"-Tubaquartett and improved the 2141. I am not 100% sure when the improvement was but I am sure all instrument with a higher number than 3000 are the better ones!
Sincerely

Volkmar J. K�hnle // Wenzel Meinl GmbH http://www.meinl-weston.comSeniweg 4 http://www.melton.de D-82538 Geretsried Tel. 08171 92187-0 Fax: 08171 92187-19"

In my opinion this horn plays quite well and in tune in all registers. With the 5th valve the notes below the staff come in very true, especially the low E pedal that is hard to play on a non compensating 3 or 4 valve Eb. The horn is very hard to distinguish from a BBb or CC, especially if played in a resonant hall. I believe that we often forget that the halls we play in are extensions of our instruments and are not taken into account when we purchase horns. I am using it as my principal horn, its versatility being the main reason. If you are in the market now, consider buying a horn thats already been imported. Anything new coming in from Germany will be much more expensive because of the 25-40% euro appreciation.

HTH ...

Regards,

[Wyvern]

Leadpipe was not a problem, although it seemed to come out at a weird angle. Any ideas for that?

You could use a sousaphone bit to change the angle. I have tried one in mine and it worked fine with good sound and no intonation problems.

How exactly does that work? I last played a sousa a decade ago and can't picture it.

They are dog legged, so you can turn around to the angle you want. It works, but mind you looks a bit weird!

[Wyvern]

Some people mentioned Mark Carters Mr.Tuba EEb,which is actually manufactured by MW,did anybody ever try one of them out?

Hi Kurt,
Yes, I have tried these out. There are two models of Mr.Tuba EEb, the rotary valve which I have and enthused about a lot and the British style 3+1. I have had a quick blow on the latter a couple of times. It is a nice free blowing instrument with good tone - personally I would say preferable to the Besson 981, if I was buying a new EEb of that sort.

Next issue to me,Mr. Tuba EEb,Courtois 181 and B&S 3181 are relatives,as it is easily worked out by just looking at pictures and catalogues,is somebody able to compare them and give a short report?

I have played all of these, but not side by side. The Courtois 181 was a number of years ago and I remember I was not impressed - to me it just did not have the presence (but that may have been down to the acoustics of the room).

I had a B&S 3181 for a couple years - good tone, intonation and plenty of power. I used it for a performance of Holst Planets. However, I kept on having the 1st and 2nd valves sticking intermittently and no-one could find why. So eventually I got my MW 2040/5 rotary valve EEb instead.

I would say the B&S 3181 and Mr.Tuba versions play very similarly.

And finally,
there´s the Yamaha 632,such an instrument was sitting next to me last week,and to me it sounded like the light horse amoung the compensated piston EEb´s,does somebody agree?
Also there´s a Miraphone 1261 around,but nobody liked it last week as the sound and ergonomics of the instrument wwere completely different from all other instruments,so it was judged by all people which played it as being the runner up in brassband instruments.?

Never played the Yamaha, but the Miraphone I have and found it feels and sound much more like a contrabass tuba. Not to my personal liking, but I know others who love theirs.

[Wyvern]

Bob,
I think you would be best to get a 5 valve 2040/5 if you possibly can. Not just for that low E, but for good intonation of the 4th valve combinations in the low register.

However, if you cannot obtain/afford a 5 valve for now, I understand the 5th valve assembly can be retro-fitted.

All the same, I do confirm that false tone are usable on this Eb.

[Roger Lewis]

I have a 5 valve rotary MW2040/5 EEb tuba sitting just outside my office in a case, for people to try if they so desire.

Roger