Need Opinions

[Rommel72]

I am considering consolidating down to one tuba for everything. I have been looking for what would work best and have come down to two that I think could work. I would like to hear opinions on the Willson 3400 Eb tuba and the Meinl Weston 2141 Eb tuba. Like I said, I would be using this for everything from large ensembles to solo playing. All opinions are welcome as well as other suggestions. Thanks!!

Rommel

[MartyNeilan]

I went that route a few years back with a MW2145. Ultimately, I just missed the "big tuba sound" that a larger horn can provide, as well as the facility and lyricism of a true F.
(This is my opinion.)

[Z-Tuba Dude]

Some years ago, the conventional wisdom of the board was that the Willson 3400 Eb was the best choice, if you were looking for one do-it-all horn. I believe that there is some wisdom to this.

It seems to be a good compromise horn, small enough to be a reasonable solo horn, and big enough to get by in a large ensemble. However, a friend of mine bought one at that time, and discovered that it was a compromise horn --- a little on the big side for solos, and a little bit light for big ensembles. So it just is just a matter of perspective.

Nothing against the Willson! It is a great horn! It is just a reality that we, as tubists, are called upon to fill many varied situations, and using only one horn to cover all of those situations is quite a challenge!

[Toad Away]

OK, here are some follow-up thoughts from personal experience (for whatever that's worth ....)

The Bell Model MW was my first CC, bought in 1969 at the factory in Geretsreid, so easy to play the Bozza Sonatine
5tet on it -- wish I had never sold it.
A great all-around tuba.

The 188 was my only horn for 10 years -- Great horn -- wish I still had it .... oh well

I encourage you to listen to Marty Erickson's recordings
-- Willson Eb -- especially the piano/tuba duet jazz
CD: My Very Good Friend with the great John Sheridan on piano. Amazing stuff.
Oh yeah, earlier this year Marty
played his Willson with Gene (on 'F') for the Chicago
Sym.'s performances of Symphonie Fantastique.

Let your ears be your guide.

[Toad Away]

Sheesh --
I just don't know,
I've played several Willson Ebs including Marty's first
one and thought: "if I only had the money".
But have never wanted an 'F' -- guess I'll always be a
CC player, however I'm constantly amazed by the sound
that Lee Hipp gets on his big Yamaha 'F' here in
San Antonio.
I'm thinking that maybe the great players have a
sound in their ear and will achieve it no matter
what the instrument is ......

[Toad Away]

bloke is killin' me with that avatar -- LOL

[jacojdm]

I'd think you're pretty familiar with the 2141.

[YorkNumber3]

.

[windshieldbug]

If you're serious, Wade gives good advice.

Play everything you can to see how YOU sound on it, and in the situations that you envision, if you can.

If I had to go with one horn, I'd start with my Marzan slant-rotor CC. But I'd find it REALLY TOUGH to go with only one. Not to say that it can't be done; I've used my Marzan for both quintet concerts and solos with the orchestra at times, but it's harder work than it needs to be. If you're serious about your music making, go with what works best for THAT situation.

Looking for horns is just like looking for mouthpieces, only a lot more expensive!

[iiipopes]

186

Seriously, there is no "one tuba for all." But the 186 does get close. At least, go play a few just to get a good reference as to a true 4/4 CC, which is well known and will serve at least as a point of departure, if not as an instrument you would have on your short list.

Recently I did play a piston Nirschl WN15 that was really fine, and would also serve a variety of circumstances.

[Z-Tuba Dude]

Pat Sheridan (to my knowledge at least) plays on a Besson 983 as his only horn. Im sure he owns a CC or BBb, but his general use horn is that Eb

Baadsvik on an article I read stated he had a CC, but never uses it. He just uses his Starlight Eb

That is true, I'm sure, but they are both in the enviable class of musician that makes their living exclusively as a soloist. They don't need to produce the variety of noises that the rest of us have to!

Come to think of it, I'm glad that they don't do the same noise making gigs that I do! (I don't think I would fare well with the competition!)

[Rommel72]

I am not completely sold on the idea either, I just wanted to hear some opinions from others. As much playing as I have done in the past, two horns has always served me well. I currently have a Miraphone 1291 and a 181, which in my opinion is a great set up. I am pretty attached to the 1291 and use it the most. In my current situation, I have become very attached to playing in chamber type groups and it is something that I really enjoy. I have grown weary of doing the solo thing and just don't have as much desire for it right now. But, if a solo opportunity were to arise, I would want a horn that could handle the job. I will probably continue to ponder the idea and go from there......

Rommel

[jeopardymaster]

The Miraphone Norwegian Star I sampled at ITEC was very impressive. But I strongly recommend you try one of Sam Gnagey's York-King CC creations before you make your final decision. That model is an absolute game-changer. Better than horns going for more than twice the price.

[MaryAnn]

What I have to compare between is a 3/4 CC and a 3/4 F, but the Norwegian Star I played would amply cover all that territory, plus it doesn't seem to "bark" like the small CC does when pushed.

MA

[Jack Denniston]

I've never had more than 1 tuba at a time and I've always needed it to work for everything from solos to large ensembles. I played a MW Bell model for 20 years and then I played a CB-50 for 10 years. For the past 5 years my only tuba has been a Willson 3400. It works better for me as an all around tuba than the other 2 did, and they worked very well.

[bill]

Bloke Said:

If you are well on the way to following a path of playing one tuba - an Eb (as your statement-in-the-form-of-a-question strongly suggests)...

I was completely surprised, recently, by a new *Rudolf Meinl Eb tuba. I played it back-to-back with several of the other Eb models mentioned here. It seemed to respond the best. The Willson is hard to criticize, but I can't find much "soul" in its resonance.

bloke "Admittedly though, during the times that I have owned only *one* tuba, it has been an F tuba."

I own several tubas and have had several more. When I wanted to upgrade to an Eb, I arranged to have 5 tubas ready for me to test. I sat down and played a Besson 983, 984, Yamaha 321, a used Conn Jumbo (top valve) and a Willson 3400. My wife, who funds all my tubas and never complains, was seated on a sofa at the other end of a large room and I heard her "swoon" and sigh. I stopped and asked her what was wrong and she said "I heard your soul come through that horn. I don't care which other horn you like or want; you HAVE to buy that one." We have been married almost 50 years and that was about 10 years ago. She know my playing pretty well.

Currently I have: Conn 5J, Conn Jumbo Eb (front valve), Miraphone 184 CC-5U, Willson 3400 and a Weril Euphonium. I have sold several good horns, including a Hirsbrunner BBb and a low number Yamaha YFB621. Of all the horns I have owned, the Willson is the most versatile. I use it for 90% of what I do (two orchestras and a brass quintet plus casual gigs). Recently, after winning a concerto competition, I was awarded a solo spot with one of the orchestras. I am playing the Barbabra York Concerto for Tuba and using the Willson 3400. This has proven very difficult but not impossible. I will soon acquire an MW 182 to make such solo playing easier but, except for that, I am very happy with the Willson, as I use it. The second best horn I played when I tried horns, was the Yamaha YEB321. The Willson is probably the best all around horn I have ever owned; the Hirsbrunner BBb is probably the best tuba I have ever played but it was not so versatile. Of the other horns I still have, the Miraphone 184 CC is quite good; the two Conns are not at all bad for casual gigs, especially outdoor venues. But, if I HAD to live with only one, it would be a Willson 3400.

With all of that, you won't know what is right for you until you play a few horns and use them for performances and a lot of rehearsal. But, it might suggest a place to start. btw, every 5 valve horn I own has the 5th valve as a 2-3 combination.

[DonShirer]

I'm using an MW2141 in a 40 pc town band and have had little trouble supporting the bass part even when the other two tubists don't show up. I would think you would need some help in a larger group, though. I have had to do some minor tube pulling with the 2141 (something I never needed to do with my old YEB321), but it has a lot more "punch" to its tone. When I upgraded, I was tempted by the Gagney hybrid, but decided that at my age, I didn't want to learn a new fingering.

[TubaRay]

You came to the wrong place if you're looking for opinions!!!

I would have to disagree with that comment. Now, if you're talking about good opinions, or usable opinions, you could possibly be right. But to say you came to the wrong place if you're looking for opinions would seem to be 180 degrees wrong.

[TubaRay]

You came to the wrong place if you're looking for opinions!!!

I would have to disagree with that comment. Now, if you're talking about good opinions, or usable opinions, you could possibly be right. But to say you came to the wrong place if you're looking for opinions would seem to be 180 degrees wrong.

duh... this is the opinion capital of the world... that was my point!

And you know what is said about opinions....