question on a meinl weston 32
- tubabuddha
- bugler

- Posts: 92
- Joined: Fri Oct 21, 2005 1:32 am
question on a meinl weston 32
so...All you tubanetters out there....has anyone played one or knows if it will be a good starter horn for college.....cause its in my price range......
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Mark E. Chachich
- 3 valves

- Posts: 481
- Joined: Thu Mar 25, 2004 6:07 pm
- Location: Maryland
First:
Talk to your teacher about tubas and what your plans are.
My opinions about the MW 32:
Good tubas, sturdy, predictable response. Some people have played these tubas (successfully) in professional orchestras and bands. I have used one as my back-up tuba for about 20 years, I like it. Go easy (especially in the low range) and the tuba plays well, force air and the MW 32 backs up.
Baltimore Brass sells Meinl Weston (and many other types). Also, check on the used tubas (Baltimore Brass has many). As I have said before, Dave Fedderly is a good person (that knows a lot about tubas) and an honest businessman. His staff is also excellent.
good luck,
Mark
Talk to your teacher about tubas and what your plans are.
My opinions about the MW 32:
Good tubas, sturdy, predictable response. Some people have played these tubas (successfully) in professional orchestras and bands. I have used one as my back-up tuba for about 20 years, I like it. Go easy (especially in the low range) and the tuba plays well, force air and the MW 32 backs up.
Baltimore Brass sells Meinl Weston (and many other types). Also, check on the used tubas (Baltimore Brass has many). As I have said before, Dave Fedderly is a good person (that knows a lot about tubas) and an honest businessman. His staff is also excellent.
good luck,
Mark
Mark E. Chachich, Ph.D.
Principal Tuba, Bel Air Community Band
Life Member, Musicians' Association of Metropolitan Baltimore, A.F.M., Local 40-543
Life Member, ITEA
Principal Tuba, Bel Air Community Band
Life Member, Musicians' Association of Metropolitan Baltimore, A.F.M., Local 40-543
Life Member, ITEA
- tubabuddha
- bugler

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- Uncle Buck
- 5 valves

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Good possibility
If I were in your situation and price range, I'd seriously consider that particular used instrument. As has been expressed on this forum many times, if you don't damage it, it should hold its resale value pretty well.
Assuming it isn't a dog, of course. Are you going to be able to play-test it?
There is no need to call it a "starter" instrument, either. Again, assuming it is a typical good example (and not a dog), that should be plenty of CC tuba for you throughout college and beyond.
Assuming it isn't a dog, of course. Are you going to be able to play-test it?
There is no need to call it a "starter" instrument, either. Again, assuming it is a typical good example (and not a dog), that should be plenty of CC tuba for you throughout college and beyond.
Last edited by Uncle Buck on Wed Apr 25, 2007 2:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- tubabuddha
- bugler

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Allen
- 3 valves

- Posts: 404
- Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2004 12:29 am
- Location: Boston MA area
Here's another endorsement for the MW 32. I have had one for a few years and love it. I use it for band and for quintet, and it seems appropriate for both.
What Mark said about not forcing air through it is quite true. I mostly use a fairly large mouthpiece (a Mike Finn MF3), and that helps.
The pitch is rather good. I do pull the first valve slide for the F just below the staff, and give it a push for all notes that use the first valve above that. [I had the first valve vented and the slide lapped.] One thing to watch out for: The MW 32 normally comes with a main tuning slide that is just right for tuning to A=443 or higher. For tuning to a more righteous A=440, you will need what MW calls the long main tuning slide. [The used instrument may already have the long main tuning slide, but you should ask.] Dillon's, when they sell new MW 32 tubas, normally supply them with the longer slide, but not all USA dealers do so.
The MW 32 has the fastest and most comfortable valves of any tuba I've tried. The speed is only limited by your fingers.
I have had a number of favorable comments on my tone. Although I'd love to take 100% credit for that, I do think that this fine tuba is a major factor.
Cheers,
Allen
What Mark said about not forcing air through it is quite true. I mostly use a fairly large mouthpiece (a Mike Finn MF3), and that helps.
The pitch is rather good. I do pull the first valve slide for the F just below the staff, and give it a push for all notes that use the first valve above that. [I had the first valve vented and the slide lapped.] One thing to watch out for: The MW 32 normally comes with a main tuning slide that is just right for tuning to A=443 or higher. For tuning to a more righteous A=440, you will need what MW calls the long main tuning slide. [The used instrument may already have the long main tuning slide, but you should ask.] Dillon's, when they sell new MW 32 tubas, normally supply them with the longer slide, but not all USA dealers do so.
The MW 32 has the fastest and most comfortable valves of any tuba I've tried. The speed is only limited by your fingers.
I have had a number of favorable comments on my tone. Although I'd love to take 100% credit for that, I do think that this fine tuba is a major factor.
Cheers,
Allen
