CC BBb Question

[Steve Inman]

The advantage of an Eb is that the postion of the dots on the lines in bass clef is identical to the position of the dots on the lines of a treble clef euph part. So as an experienced eupher who (hopefully) is comfortable with treble clef euph -- consider a big Eb for your personal horn. As mentioned before (and repeated here with a bit of embelishment) the Besson 981 Eb has the same 3+1 layout as a compensating euph and is a well-respected, large Eb. The Willson 3400 Eb is also well respected (I have my opinion on a low-cost provider of this horn, available via PM). I am inclined to think that the low register of the MW2141 Eb might speak a bit more easily than the Willson -- I'll have to check this some day.

I play CC and Eb tubas and have in the past played BBb and F also. For chamber music, I would recommend CC of the two keys you mentioned. For ease of getting started, however, I'd agree with Bloke and others -- BBb tuba has the same fingerings as euph, just an octave shift -- very easy to catch on. For long-term, don't discount a large Eb, however, especially if you're comfy w/ treble clef euph fingerings.

Regards,

[tbn.al]

the postion of the dots on the lines in bass clef is identical to the position of the dots on the lines of a treble clef euph part.

True indeed, but the double sharps are treacherous!

[iiipopes]

I agree with bloke it's rather a Hobson's choice on your tubas.

Hold out for a better tuba. Seriously. Your university music department will have a lot of instruments being checked in and out. Check around with the others who have tubas, and tell them your situation. Someone might (doubtful, but it's a strange world) actually want to check back in the one they're playing for one of those two, or an aspiring tuba major might quit or get a better offer at another university, and check his/her horn back in, etc.

In the final analysis, a combination of the one that sounds best in your context plus your instructor's recommendation will be the one you play, regardless of the number of posts to this thread.

[Dean E]

. . . . If you really decide to buy your OWN tuba, you might consider a Willson 3400 Eb. Some guys on TubeNet can p.m you about the cheapest place to buy one of those.

I agree and like the 3400's I've tested at conferences.

[Chuck(G)]

I agree and like the 3400's I've tested at conferences.

Closest thing in my experience to a "do everything" tuba.

[Mike Finn]

The one thing I'm still really curious about though, is the Willson tubas. I would really like to know more about them so if anyone has anymore input that would be awesome.

The big Willson F I played during my undergrad was a fantastic tuba! If I needed a big bass tuba for orchestra, or if I wanted to use an F for quintet, this would be the horn I looked at first. Since you're talking about contrabass tubas, I can tell you that although I didn't spend much time with it the Willson BBb I tooted on at a conference was also a wonderful instrument. It's a tall one though, with a long bell which puts the sound out a little further from your ears. I've grown accustomed to playing shorter fatter horns and like that feedback a little closer to my receptors. As a euph player, you may have a similar experience. If you are able, try to compare your perception of the sound between the MW and the St Pete. (Not "which sounds better" but where the sound is, if that makes sense.) I believe the MW is taller than the St Pete, and this may help you understand what I'm (probably not very effectively) trying to say here.

Anyways, I will echo the sentiment that you play what you've got now at your disposal. As your tuba talent and taste develops you'll have a better idea of what you want and need when you're ready to buy your own.
Enjoy!
MF

[geneman06]

Given the horns you have to choose from, i reccomend using the MW. St Pete makes a terrible horn, in fact you could crap a better horn than St Pete could ever build. As for learning new finger, its not as hard as some people make it out to be. And affording a horn, there are plenty of horns out there, you just have to search for the right price. Plus you're in college, you'll never find better loan rates, now would be a great time to take out a loan to get the horn of your dreams.

[KevinMadden]

Given the horns you have to choose from, i reccomend using the MW. St Pete makes a terrible horn, in fact you could crap a better horn than St Pete could ever build.

That is a bit of a harsh statement. while it is true that MANY of the St pete horns on on the side of the fence leaning toward POS, with a large selection and patience, I've seen a few players pick out some darned good ones.

[Dylan King]

That is a bit of a harsh statement.

and less harsh statements on the same topic have prompted a vendor to threaten lawsuits.

Even worse, if those St. Pete's tubas are made in Russia they'll send the mob after you.

[geneman06]

its a harsh statement, but once they changed their name to st pete, they stopped making a good horn, so there for it is somewhat justified (im aware that some people love them). but before they were st pete, they were halfway decent horns, at least better than what they are now. And since im not a vendor, i need not worry about the lawsuit, and since i live in the middle of nowhere, i need not worry about the russian mofia, but in the off chance i need protection, i know the son of the don of the korean mofia

[averagejoe]

I thought that this forum was for talking about tubas, not the mafia. I apologize for bumping this forum topic up. Anyhow, I think that this question has already been answered. In my opinion he should stick with B flat for ease of fingerings, it's not as if he will play the St. Pete forever. Who knows, maybe it is a good one?