GOT THE NEW TUBA!

[tclements]

Here she is:

[imperialbari]

Congratulations!

This tuba looks more 3-dimensional than most other rotary F tubas, which I often perceive as being rather flat (like in one plane).

The shininess blurs a few details. At least I must misinterpreted something, when I first took the left hand trigger for the 5th trigger. But then I saw there is a main tuning slide kick mechanism to which that left hand trigger must belong. But where is the 5th valve activator?

More photos would be most welcome!

Klaus

[tclements]

Sorry the picture is so darned big. I don't know how to make it smaller. Sorry, guys. This is the Willson 3050 RZ-5 CC; there aren't many of them around. One of my students has one that used to belong to Paul Kryzwicki. I Played "Romeo & Julite" on it, and Prokoffiev 5. During those weeks, my bass trombone player (Phil Zahorsky) kept telling me I had to buy that tuba. I broght the 6/4 piston one night and he said, "Play the other horn." Also, one of our hornists, who is kind of hard to please, came over and asked, "You playing a new tuba? It sounds great, man." So I ordered one. The Willson comes with the 5th valve on the left hand. I had him put the 5th valve under my thumb (like we all like it these days) and the original 5th valve lever is rigged to this really slick tuning jigger on the main slide. I can tune any note without having to move my hand. I tune the first slide to d' (flat 5th partial note), and the other sharp 1st valve, or 1 & 2 notes, I just lean on the trigger to pop the main slide. Low notes are a breeze. Low F 4 & 5, slide out; low D 2-3-4-5, slide out. The rest are spot on.

[bort]

Very cool! Who sells these?

Also, for your future reference...
http://www.picresize.com

[tclements]

I got my horn from the Horn Guys, Steve Ferguson. I ordered it back in June and had to wait for it to be built. Apparently, since there is not much of a demand for these, they are built on an 'as needed' basis. If you are looking for a large tuba, this instrument should definitely be on your short list.

[averagejoe]

Congrats! that is a beautiful horn.

[jonesbrass]

She's a real beaut. Love the Willsons!

[Tom Gregory]

That's going to be fun, for you, to play! I love those RZs. I think the tuning mechanism is a great idea. The 3050RZ is my favorite big CC. If it were possible, I'd like to convert my 3050 to rotary. I'll have to dream.
Happy Tooting, Tony!
TG

[The Big Ben]

Looks great!

Are the pads on the paddles stuck on the top or are they inlayed?

last week, there was a thread about colored buttons. I think this horn would look great with some sore of pearl inlay buttons!

[cambrook]

Nice looking tuba!

The tuning trigger is a good idea - is there another tuning slide, or if you need to pull the main slide out to tune to the oboe do you need to hold the trigger paddle down all the time? From the photo it seems that the threaded rod is just to restrict the outward movement.

[imperialbari]

The tuning trigger is a good idea - is there another tuning slide, or if you need to pull the main slide out to tune to the oboe do you need to hold the trigger paddle down all the time? From the photo it seems that the threaded rod is just to restrict the outward movement.

The threaded rod to the left (wide branch) has the function you indicate.

The center rod is the push rod. It has a thicker part around the tuning slide stay, which looks like the double-contra-threaded (I try to tell one end having right threading and the other end left threading) part I have in my somewhat similar system on the YEP-641. If the tuning to the oboe calls for a pull the female part is rotated to extend the push rod.

Klaus

[oedipoes]

Congrats on that nice Willson Tony!

I have the 3100 RZ-4 BBb and it's getting even better every day (as I improve...).
I used it in Brass band for the first time on Monday and it's great !
Have fun with that horn.


Wim

[tclements]

In rthe tuning jigger there is a tunrbuckle device that is threaded in opposite directions. Turning THAT raises or lowers the pitch.

[Wyvern]

Here we have seemingly the majority of our community bandsmen mostly playing 4/4-size tall somewhat "throaty" rotary tubas, when what wind bands are missing is that "deep bass" sound that could be obtained from a sousaphone or 6/4 tuba...

I completely agree with you there!

...and yet in symphony orchestras...and for a blend with a section of trombones

Do we really want to blend with a section of trombones? I always feel the tuba should be a distinctive voice in its own right and not try to be a fourth trombone!

Mr.Clements are you using your new Willson to replace your 6/4 in all applications, or using it to provide 'more appropriate' tone color in certain works?

[tclements]

TONY, please! I have sold off my 6/4 piston tubas because my trombones prefer the sound of this tuba, I've gotten compliments from other brass musicians and I like the sound of this tuba out in the hall. I will add a Hirsbrunner HB-2 (4/4 CC) to my stable for pit work & smaller works. I have a number of F's to use to change my color for solos and earlier works that do not need so much sound.

[tclements]

Sorry, I skipped ck's question. I didn't really do a comparo. This one sounded so good & my colleagues liked it, so I ordered one. I liked the way it played (and looked) so I simply trusted it would be a fine instrument and went for it. Mr. Kurath did not let me down.

[Tubacube]

Congratulations on your new Wilson! Have you found a gig bag big enough ?
Hard to judge by the picture, but it looks bigger than 5/4. Looking foward to hearing you with the symphony,should be grand!
Howard

[tclements]

Howard, Cronkhite makes a 3050 bag. Fits perfectly.

[pierso20]

What a beautiful horn which, as you describe, must sound AMAZING!