Yamaha Custom 841 Bb Tuba - Myth or Marvelous?

termite · Post by **termite** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 11:18 pm

Hi John

I've never sighted either a 641 or an 841. The 641 gets a little bit of feedback on tubenet; not overly positive although a couple of people like them. For internet feedback on an instrument to be of any value you need to see comments from a LOT of people covering a range of contexts. As far as I know no one has ever seen an 841. (I have a feeling that the main market for these models is in Japan).

"What tuba should I buy?" questions always get the answer that you need to line up about thirty different instruments and spend several hours blowing the hell out of them.

This can be done in America or Germany but not here in the bananna republic of Oz. (I'm in sunny Melbourne).

Here of course no one even has floor stock apart from the odd Yamaha 321 and the Jupiter down at Ormond. You place an order and take your chances. This is not very good when the word on the street is that a couple of major European brands vary a lot from instrument to instrument.

A salesman told me off the top of his head that a new 641 (not 841) is around $16,000.00!!!!!!!!!! I bought a second hand 1291 for US$5000.00 - it cost me around AUD$8000.00 including shipping and insurance - half the cost. Start a topic - 1291 versus 641 and see what people say. (Yeah I know - this still doesn't tell you anything about the 841 but I don't know if anyone can!!!!!)

I bought the 1291 sight unseen after spending months on Tubenet reading everything everyone ever said about every tuba ever made. (That's months of actual reading time - not elapsed time).

I have no idea whether this is a good 1291 or whether I would have liked a Fafner etc. better. This was the best I could do short of taking an overseas tuba testing holiday. (I did consider this). It does however play MUCH better than anything else I've ever played and I've had positive comments (unsolicited) from people in several groups that I play in making direct comparisons to other tubas they've heard me play.

I think the 822 has a good name as an F tuba - this may not reflect on other instruments in the range.

I just remembered something - I know an instrument repairman in Melbourne who plays tuba and worked for Yamaha in America - he may have seen the elusive 841 - PM me and I'll send you some contact details.

Looking at the specs the 841 looks about 186 - 188 size . The 1291, fafner etc. are larger instruments.

The 1291, even new shipping from the US is miles cheaper than anything else that would come anywhere near it, unless you find a Fafner or Rudolf Mienel second hand. (These are usually well over US$5000.00)

If you're ever in Melbourne you are welcome to come over and play my 1291.

I hope that long rambling rave is of some use.

Regards

Gerard

termite · Post by **termite** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 11:20 pm

It's me again (Oh no) - I support you're fifth valve decision - I use mine all the time.

Regards

Gerard

David · Post by **David** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 12:11 am

5th valve rules all

Kevin Hendrick · Post by **Kevin Hendrick** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 12:55 am

I've seen a few 641s around, but have never played one, and had never heard of the 841 until this thread appeared (they appear to be unavailable in North America).

As to the 5th valve, from looking at the pictures on Yamaha's website, it appears that the YCB-861 is the "cousin-in-C" of the YBB-641 and -841, and has 5 valves ... and the first valve tubing of the YBBs looks to be "over out of the way" to the same extent as that of the YCB, so the 5th valve (and associated linkage) from the YCB should be "installable" on the YBBs without interference problems. You'd probably want to have the valve tubing lengthened for the Bb; might also need a YCB leadpipe.

URL for Yamaha Global Gateway site:

http://www.global.yamaha.com/products/music/index.html

termite · Post by **termite** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 7:23 pm

G'day John

I spoke to my contact who used to work for Yamaha in America but he has never seen an 841.

A quick question - I've never actually played a Sovereign tuba of either pitch - how does the BBb compare to the 1291?

Regards

Gerard

iiipopes · Post by **iiipopes** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 10:32 pm

Myth.

Wilco · Post by **Wilco** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 6:36 am

John, what mouthpiece do you use on the 1291??

Chris Olka · Post by **Chris Olka** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 4:32 pm

This horn does exist. I have seen and played one in Japan a few years ago. It was in the Yamaha Atellier shop in Ginza, Tokyo. It was gold brass and 4 valves. It played pretty well but there are many great BBb tubas so I did not give it much attention at the time. It was certainly above average and definitely the best BBb Yamaha I had played. Anyway, they are custom orders. Don't know if they would make one with 5th valve but would be a good idea!! Hope that helps,
Chris Olka
Seattle Symphony
Seattle Opera

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