small tuba for jazz work

[tubajazzo]

Hello tubenetters,

I am seriously concerning to buy a smaller tuba for jazz work, like the MW 2011 HoJo model.
First of all, I am an amateur player, and late beginner on tuba, which I started 8 years ago at the age of 45.
But I have played jazz trombone for 20 years before that. Had to give that up due to lack of time, and that was the moment when I started with tuba in a symphonic wind orchestra, which is conducted by a music teacher in the school where my kids are.
Now I am missing something and want to go back to play more jazz, but don't have the time for developing my skills on more than just one instrument. So it should be on tuba, because it's so much fun to play.When talking about jazz I mean soloing as well as doing the bass, depending on the style.
Until now I tried a lot of play-along things and playing with friends with my 1966 Weltklang Bb-tuba. I know this old model has good reputation here, but I find it a bit hard to control for jazz, especially soloing.
If you have any impressions or experiences to share on how the HoJo sounds compared to a small Miraphone or Jupiter 482, this would be appreciated. The Yamaha 621 also comes to mind, but is expensive here in Germany. Are there any other options? In a catalogue there exists a small Miraphone piston (1272), but I haven't seen that anywhere in real life.
I don't want to change to Eb, because the Bb overtone series is sort of hard wired in my brain....when it comes to improvising, it is much easier for me in Bb-instruments.

Thank you for feedback

Gerd

[EdFirth]

Also the Conn 5J. Small, great sound, pitch, and response.They can be had at a reasonable price used.There are a million of them in the schools here and they can really take a licking and keep on ticking.Ed

[KHHS]

Hello Gerd,

I'm from Germany as well (HH), and i'm a late beginner like you: i started playing when i was 42, 4 years ago. Before that i have never played a brass instrument but soprano saxophone for many years. So i am a self taught amateur with limited experience - consider that when reading this post.

I recommend to have a look at the Lidl 701 Bb-tuba! I got mine from Thomann last summer and i'm quite happy with the way it plays. The build quality is probably not quite as good as that of a HoJo 2011 (my Lidl has some minor lacquer issues, i still can't loosen the cap of the 2nd valve and 1 or 2 slides could be a little bit smoother - but since i don't pull slides, i can live with that). But the Lidl is quite cheap and comes with a nice case. It's small and very light-weight.

It responds very well - especially the bottom end of the range is astonishing. Intonation is good as well - i use alternate fingerings only for c and d in the staff. I had an old B&S 4-valve before that which could probably be played a little louder and had a slightly darker tone but in every other aspect (the most) i prefer the Lidl. Before i bought that i also shortly tried the Jupiter 482, which was nice as well - the (my) upper range of the 482 might be as good as the Lidl, but not the lower end.

Grüße
Karsten

[timdicarlo]

If you're interested in a Miraphone, I have a five-valve, 3/4-size BBb for sale that might fit your requirements. Let me know what you think!

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=37142

Good luck with your search,
Tim

[iiipopes]

Other options are a Meinl-Weston 18, a Lidl, any of the "standard" 3/4 size horns like the King 1141, or such.

[tubajazzo]

Hi folks,

thank you for so much replies in short time. Tubenet is an outstanding source of information. Ok I should have said, that I have more or less fallen in love already with the HoJo front action .... the question is should I be cured from this, because there is something so much better? I agree with that piston vs. rotor thing concerning jazz especially for not so extreme advanced players, as I am. But the rotor Hojo also has very light response, I found it better than the MW 18. The Mira 282 is an astonishing thing as well, but I did not like the tone I had on it.
The US american tubas are expensive in Germany, and hardly to find used. Would like to try the Conn 5J and others.
The Yammie 103 is interesting, could be a good streetband weapon. Should just have the same bore and 4 valves like the 621...

thanks so far
Gerd

[eupher61]

My Weril J680 is still available, was pulled because of a couple of issues. It could well be a copy of the 103, but 4 valves. I don't know about shipping to Germany, though.....I'd need advance payment!

[David Richoux]

I have both a YBB-103 and a YBC-621 - the 103 is pretty much as good as Bloke says - only problem I have with it is some water traps that do not have valves - on a cold day playing outside it can get a lot of condensation that requires pulling slides and turning the horn over in several different directions to clear it. I use it for jug band and other similar kinds of gigs - works very well, otherwise. The YBC-621 has been extended to make it into a BBb and it is great for stand-up jazz gigs, small clubs, rehearsals and other places where I know I would not fit comfortably with a helicon or Sousaphone. I can change it back to CC if I want, but it is better for me as a BBb. If Yamaha had been making a YBB when I bought my horn, I would have gotten that instead.

I have said this before - IF I had to cut down to only 2 tubas, they would be a 621 and my old Conn 4 valve BBb Sousaphone.

[kegmcnabb]

I love my YBB-103!

I use it primarily for marimba band, blues, and singer/songwriter gigs. I also use it for rock gigs when I think the venue is too cramped or risky for my King souzy or 2341. It works great and is perfectly sized for getting in and out of gigs in tight spaces. Plus, if you can find one, they're relatively inexpensive.

I am not a particularly skilled jazz improviser on tuba but I can hold down the bottom and walk lines with the ybb-103 just fine. My skill set aside, I think it would be good horn for blowing jazz solos.

Still, I like the punky l'il ol' YBB-103 tuba a lot.

Yep! That's it. Maybe not the sexiest tuba out there but it damn sure is punky in every good way.