The very BEST tuba out there?

[DaTubaKid]

even though i dont have a degree yet and im working hard from it, Greg, NEVER disregard what students have to say.

It's not so much that Greg is saying anyone who is not a student should disregard what a student says, it's a student should be regurgitating private lesson quotes on an unrelated topic (mostly).

The topic of the thread was about what people thought the best horn is. There is almost an implied "regardless of the player." Almost everyone on this forum knows you need air to make a tuba play. Most of the people on this forum could also quote Arnold Jacobs. Many could ACTUALLY quote him, not quote a quote of him from a book (I can't).

The point is, you WERE attempting to lecture the forum. It's probably not what you meant, but it was what came across. I would say relax on the quotes and realize that while you are dedicated music student, there are many people here who were also and lived to talk about it (not to mention made a living off of it).

In response to albertibass, Steve Inman mentioned trying out the Baer 6/4 on his recent excursion here. Checkit out. He seemed to like it.

Colby "needs to get some food" Fahrenbacher

[Chadtuba]

Back to the original question, for me it's my Besson 983. I've only had it a week and really enjoy the sound that comes out of it, even if it's still me . The biggest reason that I like this horn is that it has me excited to play and practice more.

BBb, can't go wrong with the Mira 186 though at the moment I'm using and Conn 5J and am very pleased with this horn.

[Steve Inman]

even though i dont have a degree yet and im working hard from it, Greg, NEVER disregard what students have to say.

It's not so much that Greg is saying anyone who is not a student should disregard what a student says, it's a student should be regurgitating private lesson quotes on an unrelated topic (mostly).

The topic of the thread was about what people thought the best horn is. There is almost an implied "regardless of the player." Almost everyone on this forum knows you need air to make a tuba play. Most of the people on this forum could also quote Arnold Jacobs. Many could ACTUALLY quote him, not quote a quote of him from a book (I can't).

The point is, you WERE attempting to lecture the forum. It's probably not what you meant, but it was what came across. I would say relax on the quotes and realize that while you are dedicated music student, there are many people here who were also and lived to talk about it (not to mention made a living off of it).

In response to albertibass, Steve Inman mentioned trying out the Baer 6/4 on his recent excursion here. Checkit out. He seemed to like it.

Colby "needs to get some food" Fahrenbacher

Roger Lewis has a Baer at Tuba Dome. Nice compromise between BIG and CLEAR. Very nice sound. Very easy to play. Very agile in quicker, high passages. If someone gave me $15K (?) and told me I had to spend it on one tuba, I'd buy that one. There are probably a few out there with a bigger sound, but this was a very nice combination of features. It was a bit broader in sound than the Fafner, just as clear, and easier to play (for me).

As always, you've got to try one to see if it fits the sound concept you want to hear.

Cheers,

[Steve Inman]

even though i dont have a degree yet and im working hard from it, Greg, NEVER disregard what students have to say.

I think the smaller one is more of an Eb tuba

Perhaps "NEVER" is a bit strong?

When "guessing", I would never guess that a German tubist was playing an Eb tuba*, AND knowing that he had multiple Melton horns named after him, I'd go to the M.W. website to see if I could locate it there -- thereby confirming my understanding -- then I'd post what I had learned by my research, instead of posting an unlikely guess, *based on German tradition. This explains why I was able to so brilliantly determine the model of BBb tuba featured in the video -- I went and checked -- then I posted.

But that's just me, I guess.

When ANYONE posts with accurate, insightful information, people will respect it -- when it comes with a respectful / humble attitude -- student or not. But if the post has problems in these areas, the respect afforded will be limited as appropriate -- student or not.

Edit / add: (If we're all working to improve our craft, and studying to be better musicians, then aren't we ALL students, anyway? Some of the better ones are paid more while they work to further improve their skill -- and get to perform with well-known ensembles. Some of the less talented ones, like me, get paid on a much reduced scale -- and who ever heard of Kokomo Chamber Brass?! That's why I observed "student or not" -- doesn't matter who the messenger is -- just the message and how it's delivered.)

Regards,

[The Big Ben]

okay, one more thing....at least i talk about music and stuff that has correspondence with the horns than talking about measuring horns in beer or random topics with food

Well, you got me there.....

It's just that I *understand* beer and food so much better than anything Rick Denney could spew forth...

You know, if you wanna sit up at the bar with all the real tuba men, you are going to have to spend a little more time back in the corner with a Trumpet Doofus such as I. You'll never get there by going up and kicking their stools out from under them...

Jeff "Bartender, another round for the house. And a Diet Coke for my college friend sitting next to me....." Benedict

[tubafatness]

Time to put this topic train back on its tracks....

I haven't done much in the way of tuba testing, but the best bass tuba I've played was a tie between the Willson 3400 Eb and the MW 2182. I've never really played a bunch of contrabass tubas, so the best for me is the Rudy I own and play, (although I did like the Yorkbrunner I played for abut a minute at the Midwest Clinic.)

[DaTubaKid]

I haven't played enough CC's to really make an educated opinion yet, but from my recent F shopping experience, I absolutely loved the HB-12. I haven't payed the firebird yet (I'd like to though), and I love the PT-16 I ended up buying (though I still have ergonomic things to work out, not to mention cleaning and valve response..), but HB-12 sat almost perfectly on my lap. Since I'm a tall guy with small hands, I usually have problems with that. The school Rudy Meinl F i was playing beforehand gave me horrible trouble. It put me at awkward angles, I was able to sit up straight, and playing for more than 10 minutes straight could cause pain. Since my PT-16 is significanly bigger (taller is more accurate), I only experience slight discomfort, for which I'm viewing my options. But again, the HB-12 had an amazing sound and was comfortable. The only thing I didn't like was the price tag!

[djwesp]

We no longer live in the dark ages. We don't use sticks and rocks. We have tools, and the tools keep getting better and better. If you want to play a Wieprecht tuba, go ahead. I, however, will opt for the tool that best suits the job at hand.

I'm not advocating taking a knife to a gun fight.



What I AM saying is that (using the contractor example), you don't buy a 1,500 dollar nail gun for a beginner shop class. Focus on playing. That will lead you in the right direction to finding the "best horn".

Jeff "Bartender, another round for the house. And a Diet Coke for my college friend sitting next to me....." Benedict

Don't be dogging diet coke like that.

[Steve Inman]

Time to put this topic train back on its tracks....

I haven't done much in the way of tuba testing, but the best bass tuba I've played was a tie between the Willson 3400 Eb and the MW 2182. I've never really played a bunch of contrabass tubas, so the best for me is the Rudy I own and play, (although I did like the Yorkbrunner I played for abut a minute at the Midwest Clinic.)

Doh! My friend with the fat tuba -- I must (very sadly) offer a different impression re: the 3400 Eb. I have a weenie Yamaha Eb that plays circles around the Willson in the low register -- say from BBb down to the pedal Eb. I WANTED to love the Willson Eb -- I WANTED to buy one, 'cause it's BIGGER -- hoping it might be a one-tuba-plays-all solution for me. But alas, this was not my impression. I've tried different Willson Eb's, I've tried different mouthpieces -- to no avail. I was really hoping the Willson would be "it", due to the size. (Most of my playing is quintet, so an Eb tuba that was almost as big as a 4/4 CC would be very nice for me.) I know this may be heresy, but that was my experience. The weenie Yammie may not sound as full as the Willson, but it (mine, at least) is oh so much easier to play.

Did the Willson Eb you played have a "speak-easy" low register? (He asks, still hoping there may be at least ONE on the planet that does ... ?)

I need to go try the MW2141, and perhaps the PT-22. Dan Clouse has given his new one (2141) rave reviews.

Cheers,

[pwhitaker]

The best tuba for me -that I've played, and now own - is the 1291 BBb. After over 55 years of playing I've found the right horn for me and my groups (Trad Jazz).
The icing on this cake for me is the new 5th valve slide I just got from Miraphone which is 2 full steps (~ 2+3 combination).
I can play down to the pedal A (6 ledger lines down) with all 5 valves depressed. Because I'm old and lazy and use large (36 mm) MP's I do a lot of my playing down there. This horn really plays like one would expect an FF (contrabass F) to play.
The clarity, response and authority down there is like no other BBb I've played.

[Tom Holtz]

tubalawlisa - You got Kelly's 3400? Yep, that horn plays. I had it for almost a week. You got a sweet axe. No issues with that low register.

BGII - I love my Besson 983, too. Most everyone I know who's got one digs it. I'm using mine all over the place. It's as close to the mythical all-around horn as I'll ever get.

Steve Inman - Yeah, there are 3400's out there that cook. I used Kelly Diamond's (now under new ownership, see above) on a couple of Marine Band jobs and it was super. I understand where you're coming from, though... I've got a Yamaha 621 F, which certainly qualifies as a "weenie Yammie" and it's the easiest-slotting-low-register tuba I own. I've gotten to know my Besson well enough to get around in the basement without delay, and the Willson would have done just fine, but Yamaha clarity on the bottom end of the small horn is rarely outdone. You may have to look for a long time to find a 3400 or a 2141 that can come close in clarity and ease to your Yamaha.

[MikeMason]

if you want a bass tuba with a shocking low register,try a firebird.It even has a great rotory f tuba sound.

[Steve Inman]

Steve Inman - Yeah, there are 3400's out there that cook. I used Kelly Diamond's (now under new ownership, see above) on a couple of Marine Band jobs and it was super. I understand where you're coming from, though... I've got a Yamaha 621 F, which certainly qualifies as a "weenie Yammie" and it's the easiest-slotting-low-register tuba I own. I've gotten to know my Besson well enough to get around in the basement without delay, and the Willson would have done just fine, but Yamaha clarity on the bottom end of the small horn is rarely outdone. You may have to look for a long time to find a 3400 or a 2141 that can come close in clarity and ease to your Yamaha.

My hope is renewed, thanks!

And regarding my Yamaha Eb, if I remember the story correctly, Michael Moore (Atlanta Symphony tubist) stopped by Lee Stofer's shop when it was still in Atlanta and happend upon my Yamaha Eb, there to have the 5th valve lengthened to flat whole step configuration. Evidently, Mr. Moore gave it a toot, and had some positive things to say about it. So, it may be that I have a "better than average" specimen of a YEB-381 -- which could be why my side-by-side test with a couple of Willson Eb's has left me less than thrilled by the Willson model. However, the Yamaha is a more modest-sized horn, and my quintet wants to hear BASS. Hence my consideration of something larger. (I suppose I could bring a mic and a bass guitar amp to my gigs ....!)

Cheers,

[Tom Holtz]

However, the Yamaha is a more modest-sized horn, and my quintet wants to hear BASS.

Have you used your 56J much with them? Try it--they may change their tune. The trumpet players around here all say they want bass, that is, until they have to work to be heard and the tuba player is sucking back the volume to stay balanced.

Granted, that's a fingering nightmare for all the rep you know cold on Eb, but if you've got it in the stable, give it a ride.

[Mark]

For most, the best tuba is the one Alfred Stieglitz uses,
For much of the rest the best tuba is hot air,
But for the special few who communicate with animal spirits,
the best tuba is the one He plays.

Burma Shave


Mark "applying for TubeNet poet laureate" Wiseman

[Steve Inman]

However, the Yamaha is a more modest-sized horn, and my quintet wants to hear BASS.

Have you used your 56J much with them? Try it--they may change their tune. The trumpet players around here all say they want bass, that is, until they have to work to be heard and the tuba player is sucking back the volume to stay balanced.

Granted, that's a fingering nightmare for all the rep you know cold on Eb, but if you've got it in the stable, give it a ride.

Actually, I've been using the 56J for the past 9 months, as I had to have some repair work done to the Eb last fall, then I had a couple of church orchestra opportunities, then a brass choir, etc -- all better with CC. The Eb is ready to go, but I haven't switched back yet.

I seem to pick one horn, or the other, and use it exclusively for a long period of time, then switch to the other. Every time, it's a new fingering nightmare for a while. I need to dedicate a couple of months to using both, daily, until it's no big deal. Sadly, the quintet likes the 56J with a fairly large mpc (std. Helleberg). Works fine with a Fats Waller tune, but it's not the sound I want when a 2nd 'bone part comes up!

My best compromise is the 381 with the Helleberg. Probably heresy to the UK Eb-ers, but it lets me get a bigger sound -- albeit fairly focused.

Cheers,

[pwhitaker]

I used a Marcinkiewicz N1-S for about 10 years on my 381 with a brass quintet and trad jazz. In point of fact I never found a MP which was too big for that horn, and I have some monster (36 mm) MP's. If they made that horn with a front-action valveset I would buy it in a heartbeat.

[Highams]

Well my student bit the bullet and purchased the latest 982 E flat tuba from Besson. After trying many variants together, it came down to the Willson v the Besson. The Willson had the slightly better lower register, but being a much bigger instrument (in dimensions) the Besson was the easier model to use (she is quite petite).

I had a good blow on it and can't really fault it, there were very minor finish problems with the s/p and the engraving on the bell had very rough edges indeed.

Time will tell.

CB

[Tubaguyry]

The best horn by far that I have ever played is the Rusk-cut York that belongs to my teacher, Dr. Jeff Hodapp. I was having some problems with the school-owned Mirafone 186, so he let me use his horn for wind ensemble rehearsal one day. I felt I could play nothing wrong on that horn. Every single note slotted effortlessly in all registers, and the intonation was perfect.

For several years I really liked my Weril, since it sounded nice and did everything I asked it. Then I started playing the school's 186 this year, and was amazed at how easy tuba playing can be. Stepping up from the Mirafone to the York was even more profound an improvement that stepping up from the Weril to the Mirafone.

So I guess for me, the perfect horn is that York.

[eupher61]

.

For several years I really liked my Weril, since it sounded nice and did everything I asked it. Then I started playing the school's 186 this year, and was amazed at how easy tuba playing can be. Stepping up from the Mirafone to the York was even more profound an improvement that stepping up from the Weril to the Mirafone.

Ignoring the topic, and hijacking it to my own desires....

RYAN....serious question--what mouthpiece are you using with your Weril? I have the BBb version, just wondering...