What F-tuba for overall use?

samulirask · Post by **samulirask** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 8:55 am

Sorry about new thread, but I donÂ´t seem to know how to use search.

Anyway, what tuba would you purchase for overall use? I play in a wind band that has three tubas and a double bass. I also would need the tuba for playing in smaller ensembles, such as brass septet and "street band" and for some solo playing. At the moment I play B&S Apollo, but I may have an opportunity to buy new one ("on the house..!")

I have two tubas in my mind: Yamaha 822 and Miraphone Firebird. Yamaha could be an easy option, since it doesnÂ´t have any special faults, but IÂ´m used to that german-style sound and response that Yamaha doesnÂ´t have. But the thing IÂ´m wondering about Firebird is that is it large enough?

Are there any other suggestions? Are there any other F:s that have that "low C"-problem solved?

Tubanese · Post by **Tubanese** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 10:14 am

DP wrote:
samulirask wrote: Are there any other F:s that have that "low C"-problem solved?
You're thinking of buying a horn for one note? Maybe the question should be "are there any f-tuba players that have that 'low C' problem solved?"

Maybe the 45SLZ or the Firebird?

SFAtuba · Post by **SFAtuba** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 10:20 am

Hello,

You should really look into the Gronitz F tubas. I have a Gronitz PF 125 F tuba, and it is a fantastic horn. The low C on it is GREAT, and it has a GREAT sound. If you have any questions about this tuba just send me a pm and I'll try to help you out.

Hope this helps,

Toobist · Post by **Toobist** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 10:37 am

I can tell you that I'm more than pleased with my 822 that I bought last winter. It's a joy to use in a quintet setting and I was thrilled to hear some excellent comments on my sound from some players whom I respect very much the first time I played it in orchestra. (I doubt they noticed or cared that I was using a new horn.) In the next few months I'll be working on some solo rep and I suspect I'm going to love it all the more!

I can't comment on the Mira with no experience on it though.

Good luck!

Ferguson · Post by **Ferguson** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 12:30 pm

Gronitz PF125 or Yamaha 822, which are very similar horns. Around here, these by far outsell any rotary tubas, as they have such a great low range and even feel. These are my favorites for a "sub for CC" F tuba.

Steve Ferguson

adam0408 · Post by **adam0408** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 1:29 pm

samulirask wrote: Are there any other F:s that have that "low C"-problem solved?

Kurath F.

Alex C · Post by **Alex C** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 2:03 pm

samulirask wrote:
I have two tubas in my mind: Yamaha 822 and Miraphone Firebird. Yamaha could be an easy option, since it doesnÂ´t have any special faults, but IÂ´m used to that german-style sound and response that Yamaha doesnÂ´t have. But the thing IÂ´m wondering about Firebird is that is it large enough?

Are there any other suggestions? Are there any other F:s that have that "low C"-problem solved?

Since nobody answered your question...

I don't know what "large enough" is for you. The Yamaha is an efficient tuba, producing more sound than you'd expect. People do complain about the sound but personally, I think that's not particularly appropriate complaint. Fine intonation overall though sometimes the top register tends to be flat.

I have played Firebirds and was impressed. I don't know that it is as efficient as the 822 but it has great sound and intonation; I wouldn't worry about the size if the piece was appropriate for F tuba to begin with. The low C was nothing to complain about.

I have played two Gronitz 125's in convention settings. It struck me as a good tuba but I wasn't as impressed with the sound as I was the Firebird and didn't think the efficiency matched the Yamaha. Somewhere in between.

Personal opinion: I didn't think the 45S(LP) had the "low range solved." I know someone who says he has tweaked it to work better but I think it's really his freaky chops that make it work.

Oh, and if it matters, the Yamaha and the Gronitz both cost over $1500 more than the Firebird.

MartyNeilan · Post by **MartyNeilan** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 3:40 pm

Bob1062 wrote:My tiny Eb (about the size of a 621) did just fine in a 10-piece and a brass band. A full concert band as the only tuba WAS a bit more work, but I still made my presence known.
Besides, it's more fun playing loud on a small horn than it is playing softly on a big one!

One of the things most overlooked with tuba size by students is timbre and not volume. What's the loudest instrument in an orchestra? You guessed it, Bob, it is the Bass Trombone. Even the smallest tuba dwarfs a dual bore Thayered bass trombone. You can peel paint with a 184. But is that always the best foundation for a large ensemble? (especially one without string basses to provide a solid bottom?)

Wyvern · Post by **Wyvern** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 6:31 pm

Remember that in German orchestras, F tubas are what they mainly use and they certainly can project very well - and I mean a good tuba sound. I was really impressed when I heard a B&S F used in Bruckner 6 in the Royal Albert Hall, London (5,000 seat hall)

Bob1062 wrote:The MW 2040/5 (rotary Eb) has a FINE "german-style sound" and is alot of fun to play. It would certainly be big enough for your needs. I believe a Tubenetter posted a recording of him getting out in a 110-member orchestra on his.

That was me playing Mahler 6

tubacdk · Post by **tubacdk** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 11:04 pm

samulirask wrote: Anyway, what tuba would you purchase for overall use? ... wind band ... smaller ensembles ... brass septet and "street band" and for some solo playing. But the thing IÂ´m wondering about Firebird is that is it large enough?
Are there any other suggestions? Are there any other F:s that have that "low C"-problem solved?

I hate to perpetuate the "what's the best tuba? mine is!" trend, but I have shopped a lot and there's a reason I own what I own.

I have owned both the Yamaha 822 (for the feel and practicality) and a fantastic pre-PT B&S (for the sound). I now own a Gronitz PF-125 which is a wonderful combination of the two. Basically, it feels like a Yamaha and sounds like a B&S. I use it for strolling gigs (including marching with the Disneyland Band) and have had no complaints. The Firebird is a fantastic tuba, but it is definitely a lighter sounding horn than the Gronitz. Of course, "large enough" depends entirely on the situation and your sound concept.

-ck

samulirask · Post by **samulirask** » Wed Aug 08, 2007 4:09 am

Thank you for your replies! This seems to be an interesting subject... Of course I have to try a couple of tubas out and find out that way do they work for me or not.

By the way, I always envy american tubenetters chances to try out different instruments. The market here in Finland is so small that it of course limits the freedom of choice. Practically we have only two companies here that sell tubas. The brands they sell are B&S, Melton, Miraphone and Yamaha and some cheaper brands like Jupiter. For instance IÂ´d like to test a Gronitz horn, but itÂ´s a long way from here to Germany to go and test an instrument - European Union doesnÂ´t make distances any shorter.

LetÂ´s see what hppens during this autumn. I hope IÂ´ll find the PERFECT F-tuba... (I love the sound of my B&S Apollo, but itÂ´s intonation is far from "perfect")

samulirask · Post by **samulirask** » Wed Aug 08, 2007 3:17 pm

Are Willson tubas any good?

samulirask · Post by **samulirask** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 4:38 am

Are we talking about same Willson? At least they are the cheapest tubas in german webstore www.thomann.de If we are, Willson could be worth testing.

samulirask · Post by **samulirask** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 2:42 pm

Thank you for the tip!

TubeNet

What F-tuba for overall use?

What F-tuba for overall use?

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