little bit of equipment musing...

KevinMadden · Post by **KevinMadden** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 10:18 pm

I'll agree with that statement, I'll also be the first to admit that I'm an equipment whore, and will quickly look to change my equipment rather than sit in the practice room for hours trying to actually solve the problem (its gets done, eventually, when i run out of my meager college kid $$)

true it is the player, and I'm sure gene pokorny, or pilafian, or any of those guys would sound great on anything..even a trashed 3/4 convertible from a middle school...but i bet they sound better on what they are playing on..the yorks, nice yammies, etc.

Tubaryan12 · Post by **Tubaryan12** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 11:34 pm

E.M. Winston 3 valve bought brand new Vs. 30 year old Marzan that has seen better days.

No comparison.

Wyvern · Post by **Wyvern** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 3:40 am

I would hazard a guess that if we were not interested in tubas as equipment, there would be few people here on TubeNet.

Getting a new tuba is no substitute for plenty of practice and player technique, but does equipment make a difference? Is certainly does!

Could I have ever provided quite the solid foundation to the orchestra on my old Besson 981 Eb as my Neptune 6/4 CC? - Never, however much I practiced. Could I play the Vaughan Williams on the Neptune? - Certainly not very well.

Discussions on TubeNet enable us as tuba players to make informed choices of equipment.

Wyvern · Post by **Wyvern** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 10:59 am

bigtubadaddy wrote:I did Vaughan Williams on my Neptune

You deserve a medal Jason

iiipopes · Post by **iiipopes** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 1:38 pm

When it comes to guitars, I indeed have a severe case of G.A.S. (gear acquisition syndrome) I right now have nine, plus some other parts for projects, three amps, a POD, a whole array of stomp boxes, electronic keyboards, inherited an upright piano, etc. But, then again, I've made money with all of them over the past 30 years, starting in high school, and have had at one time somewhere between a dozen and twenty. No, I never really kept count, it was that many.

As far as tubas, I have one. See my signature. With three mouthpieces: Wick 1 for general purpose, Bach 18 for small groups/small rooms, and a Kelly 18 for the souzy outdoors. But if I made money with them, even as a weekend warrior, then I'd probably develop a severe case of G.A.S. regarding tubas as well.

jonesbrass · Post by **jonesbrass** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 9:20 pm

iiipopes, wouldn't the tuba equivalent of "GAS" be "TAS"? I, too, have been inflicted with GAS, but it's much more affordable to have multiple professional-quality guitars than multiple professional-quality tubas.
I really have a hankerin' for a nice F tuba, but I'm going to be letting two of my Taylor guitars go to pay for it.

Yes, good equipment is necessary to produce a good product. Once you have good equipment, the rest is up to you.
On one other point, I've heard a lot of talk here about the necessity to switch to CC tuba in college. Back when I was a music major in college, before I joined the army bands, I bought a Cerveny BBb tuba, and I'll tell you why.
First, I played band music and brass quintet music 99% of the time. Yes, it's very "prestigious" to be an orchestral player. Speaking as someone who's done both band and orchestral playing, the life of a band tuba player was more fulfilling to me. Why would I want to sit and count four hundred measures of rest and listen to someone else play, when I could play an active role ALL the time in a band? And band and brass quintet offered a LOT more MONEY and PLAYING OPPORTUNITIES.
Second, both the trumpet and low brass professor reccommended that I spend my time mastering ONE instrument (the BBb) before switching to another. Really working to make music and play musically on the BBb-even the higher register stuff. They told me it would make playing all the other keyed instruments much easier, and they were right. By the time I started to play F, CC, and EEb, all the real work was done, and they were no problem at all.
This has been my experience, I'm not trying to knock anyone else and what they want out of their life. I just think great music can be made on any adequate instrument. And yes, it does make it easier to find the right one for you, and the type of music you want to make. Hence, I want an F. Great quintet instrument (lighter sound, better blend with quintet, to me), and a great solo horn All that french literature can be done on a contrabass, as can the Vaughn Williams, the Gregson, and the Heiden Concertos, but who wants to work that hard?
I guess long story short, we probably all have Gear Aquisition Syndrome if we really love to make music, but we should never forget that after all the new horns and mouthpieces, etc. it's really about the music. Just my $0.02, FWIW. Have a great night.

iiipopes · Post by **iiipopes** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 9:39 pm

Hey, Jonesbrass: I resemble your remarks! Yes, it's a lot easier to pick up different electric guitars and play them than is different pitched brass instruments. And I also agree with your philosophy of playing. With my right hand pinky being very short compared to the rest of my hand, and being left handed to boot, and knowing I'll only be playing in a band environment of one sort or another, for me the Besson was the instrument of choice that fits me best as well.

Hey -- neither of your Taylor guitars would be a maple 12-string, would they?

Indeed. I love to tinker, but the tinkering came as a way to figure out how to make an instrument better so as I improved, so did the instrument to come along with me.

tubatom91 · Post by **tubatom91** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 10:26 pm

GAS:I say take a look at my room.....a tuba 2 trombones, pedals,2 guitars,a Bass,2 amps and another tuba in a different room...hahahha (I still cant figure out how I walk in there yet

)

iiipopes · Post by **iiipopes** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 11:33 pm

Oh, yeah - in addition to the stuff above, a King 3B trombone, the borrowed HB Jay Eb I still need the correct "flat" valve buttons for before I return it to my college so it will actually play properly and maybe someone will actually use it, King Silvertone cornet, my son's Bach CR300 cornet, Besson 2-20 trumpet waiting for a Pilczuk lead pipe, (the souzy is at another guy's house right now who plays with me in Shrine band - of course he loves it!) my son's cheap stratoid guitar, mouthpieces, sheet music, more parts is parts, etc. - I can't get into the room sometimes!

jonesbrass · Post by **jonesbrass** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 9:44 am

iiipopes, yes the 354-CE LTD is a maple 12-string. GREAT instrument, the first time Taylor made a 12er in the grand auditorium size.
Now to decide whether I want to sell the 810e . . . solid sitka top (of course), Bone nut & saddle, fishman ellipse blend pickup . . . pink poodle case. In better shape than most new ones out in stores . . . setup is everything!!
Back to tubas, though, I'm trying to find a) the money, and b) which F I want. Just played a Conn 56J CC yesterday- very sweet, and I LOVED the pistons, but I don't want to ditch my Miraphone for it. I would definitely like to find a used piston F. I like the Yamaha 631 (?), but am afraid it might be a little small, even for an F.

tbn.al · Post by **tbn.al** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 9:51 am

In addition to what is listed below, an Olds Recording trombone, an F. Besson/Kanstul XL bore trumpet and a Weril Soprano Trombone. When I had the Yamaha 621, I actually had to move a tuba each time I entered or exited the room. I am now under an edict from she on high. I am supposed to sell a horn before I buy another. I must admit I haven't played the Weril in over a year, but it's in Delta mode; on it's stand, ready when I am.

TubaRay · Post by **TubaRay** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 2:29 pm

bloke wrote:Does it EVER occur to some of you that NOT everyone who browses this list is NOT a thief?
bloke "noting the publicly-displayed inventory lists...that possibly should be edited out of your posts"

Are you implying that one of us might be a thief? Oh, me! Oh, my! Whoever you are, pay no attention to any of my posts. I don't really own a tuba, or any other instrument.

TubaRay · Post by **TubaRay** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 4:46 pm

Scooby Tuba wrote:I never have understood listing your "stuff" in the signature area. Always seemed like a bad idea to me... but, what the heck do I know...

Perhaps it is sometimes a case of "mine's bigger than yours."

Scooby Tuba wrote:Scooby "all this MySpace crap also amazes me, too" Tuba

I don't even have a hypothesis for that one.

jonesbrass · Post by **jonesbrass** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 8:37 pm

richland tuba 01 wrote:
jonesbrass wrote:Back to tubas, though, I'm trying to find a) the money, and b) which F I want. Just played a Conn 56J CC yesterday- very sweet, and I LOVED the pistons, but I don't want to ditch my Miraphone for it. I would definitely like to find a used piston F. I like the Yamaha 631 (?), but am afraid it might be a little small, even for an F.
those 56J tubas are something. the dude that beat me out for 1st chair at area(again, ) uses one. although I'm not saying it's good just because the guy that beat me uses it, I tried it out, and the low register has a really nice bite to it, very edgy, unlike the semi-muddy sound I get from my 186 right now on the same notes.

although the best cure for GAS is a deflated bank account.

richland tuba 01, a deflated bank account is only a TEMPORARY cure for GAS!! You know, is your 186 a BBb or a CC? That could have something to do with it. The other part, not knowing your situation, is the sound concept you have for those notes in the low register. Given a clear enough concept of how you want them to sound, and enough time, you'll be honking away down there no problem. I'm sure your 186 is as good a horn, it's just a little different.

bort · Post by **bort** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 8:47 pm

bloke wrote:Does it EVER occur to some of you that NOT everyone who browses this list is NOT a thief?

bloke "noting the publicly-displayed inventory lists...that possibly should be edited out of your posts"

Yeah, but it's not like people put their addresses in there too...

Mark · Post by **Mark** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 9:11 pm

richland tuba 01 wrote:Someone said on here before "I feel like when a little kid gets new shoes, and they always say it makes them run faster ...

You mean I really didn't Run Faster and Jump Higher with my PF Flyers.

windshieldbug · Post by **windshieldbug** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 10:34 pm

bloke wrote:"noting the publicly-displayed inventory lists...that possibly should be edited out of your posts"

... good thing I keep all my really expensive horns (including my new YamaYork) at bloke's...

KevinMadden · Post by **KevinMadden** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 1:25 am

schlepporello wrote:
windshieldbug wrote:
bloke wrote:"noting the publicly-displayed inventory lists...that possibly should be edited out of your posts"
... good thing I keep all my really expensive horns (including my new YamaYork) at bloke's...
Hey! He's got that new house and has lots of room!
I'll take my stuff over there too!

Bug, you keep Chicago York #3 at Bloke's house too right?