Lidl Tubas

[The Big Ben]

Czech made, 3/4, but how do they play? How is the intonation? Sound?

Are they made in the Republic, or are they just "finished" there and of Chinese origin?

Tuba Exchange has a nice LBB 701 available, for $1795.

What say ye???

Maybe someone has some direct experience and would like to comment. They are, indeed, made in the Czech Republic. Other posters have said that they are a very good small, light tuba.

In the meantime, search on Lidl. I did and I was going to provide a link but there were so many comments it would probably be quicker for you to wade through them yourself.

[Rick Denney]

Czech made, 3/4, but how do they play? How is the intonation? Sound?

Are they made in the Republic, or are they just "finished" there and of Chinese origin?

Tuba Exchange has a nice LBB 701 available, for $1795.

What say ye???

Quite well made with good craftsmanship, and all Czech. Lidl is one of the well-known regional Graslitz-area makers, from what I understand. The 701 is a small tuba, about the size of a Rudy 3/4 (bigger than most 3/4s, but not quite full size). Lee Stofer was (is?) importing them when he had his shop in Atlanta, and he thought very highly of them.

Rick "who has handled one" Denney

[imperialbari]

http://www.joseflidl.cz/eng/

Lidl is in Brno, the main city of Moravia, the southern of Czechia’s two provinces. Kraslice (Graslitz) is on the norther border of Bohemia.

Klaus

[tbn.al]

I played one a Lee's when he was in Atlanta, he's in Clinton Iowa now, and thought it was a great little horn. I might have bought one then but had just purchased my 184. It has a nice rich tone although it tends to get a bit tromboney at very high volume levels, as most small horns do in my hands. The intonation was impeccible.

[r smith]

I own a Lidl 701 BBb Tuba. It serves my needs very well. I am 71 years old & play it in a very large Concert Band.
The sound projects very well for a 3/4 size horn ( Bore is .720 most 3/4 are smaller.) The intonation is very good & the weight is 15lbs which suits my needs.

I believe that the Hornguys are the distributor now.

http://www.hornguys.com/hornsinstocktuba.htm" target="_blank

This 3/4 size four rotary valve BBb tuba is compact but has excellent projection and a very full sound for its size. Includes compact hard case. Made in the Czech Republic, this is an excellent first tuba for the student who prefers the ergonomics of a medium size horn, or for the jobbing player needing a smaller BBb tuba for pit orchestra, chamber music, or stand-up work This is a great little tuba, excellent low range, beautiful tone, good pitch, big sound for a small horn, very light and resonant. Includes hard case. It's a great buy for a compact tuba.
Ron

[Alex F]

I have one of these. Lee Stofer sold it to me about three years ago. Lidl, SFAIK, does not have a current US distributor. The former distributor was dropped about two years ago and it these tubas are hard to come by here. Steve Ferguson sees a bouple of them per year. They cost more than $2000 over what I paid. About two years ago, I had an e-mail exchange with Lidl and was told that they make about 70 of these (BBb) per year.

As others have stated, this tuba is very well made, is lightweight without being flimsy, and puts out a much larger sound than one would expect from a 3/4 size horn. I think the .720" bore and 16.5" bell have a lot to do with that. I was thinking of selling mine but am very happy that I did not do so.

Lidl, along with the much larger Cerveny, has been around since the 1890s. Their pre-WWII french horns were very well known, along with the rotary trumpets and fluegels. After WWII, the company was nationalized and absorbed into the state musical enterprise establishment. Beginning in the mid-1990s, ownership and operations were returned to private hands.

[Kevin Hendrick]

I believe that the Hornguys are the distributor now.

http://www.hornguys.com/hornsinstocktuba.htm

Tried the link a few minutes ago and got this:



Hope it's just a glitch or something else temporary.

[circusboy]

As I had said in a previous thread:

I'm really curious about the Josef Lidl 701 at Hornguys.com. Has anyone tried one of these yet?

Their description even says:

Made in the Czech Republic, this is an excellent first tuba for the student who prefers the ergonomics of a medium size horn, or for the jobbing player needing a smaller BBb tuba for pit orchestra, chamber music, or stand-up work

With great hope in my heart, I tried the Lidl at Hornguys last week--only to be disappointed. The sound was quite small (especially in the low range), even compared to my 184. Intonation seemed fine, and it was certainly light and small. I also found the orientation of the mouthpipe to be strange; it came around too far, causing me to hold the horn at an odd angle away from my body, though I suppose that could be adjusted.

[GC]

Did you try the BBb or the CC? I was impressed by the sound and playability of the BBb, but thought the CC had a tiny sound and required too much work for what little sound it got.

[r smith]

The site is working again.

http://www.hornguys.com/hornsinstocktuba.htm" target="_blank
Ron

[circusboy]

Did you try the BBb or the CC? I was impressed by the sound and playability of the BBb, but thought the CC had a tiny sound and required too much work for what little sound it got.

I played the CC and agree with your estimation. Should have tried the BBb, too, huh?

[GC]

I think so. If it wasn't for my addiction to big horns, I would have bought the BBb. It was a very different horn from the CC. Big sound for its size, nice dark tone, good intonation.

Now every time I finish carrying my 25J up two flights of stairs, I really regret not buying it. I'm such a wimp.

[Tubman]

Czech made, 3/4, but how do they play? How is the intonation? Sound?

Are they made in the Republic, or are they just "finished" there and of Chinese origin?

Tuba Exchange has a nice LBB 701 available, for $1795.

What say ye???

That tuba on the Tuba Exchange website is mine that I'm selling on consignment. I played it for about 6 years and the intonation is great! I bought it brand new from Lee Stofer when I was in 7th grade and played it full time until sophomore year in high school when I switched to CC, but I still used it in a British-style brass band up until I graduated. It's got a huge sound for something its size and plays well in all registers. I hope I was helpful with the info I've provided thus far. If you've got any other questions about it, just send me a PM or email.

[tbn.al]

Did you try the BBb or the CC? I was impressed by the sound and playability of the BBb, but thought the CC had a tiny sound and required too much work for what little sound it got.

I tried the BBb. I found the sound to be at least as robust as my 184. At high volume levels it tended to slide a bit towards a chain saw on me. As I said most small tubas do that when I overblow them. The low range was excellent as was the intonation. The intonation was far superior to my 184.

[Tubman]

Sounds like you should buy that CHEAP Lidl and sell your 184, Al.

I think so, too!

[r smith]

And prior to my purchasing the tuba from previous owner & Lee Stofer, Lee sent me this email describing the horn.

"The Lidl LBB-701 BBb is the closest thing to a 184 you can get these days. It is a little more like a 184 with a Conn 3J bell, as it has more bell flare than the Mirafone.

Ron