versatile F Tuba?

[tubadavid94]

I'm looking for a versatile F tuba that will work well in orchestral playing, solos, and quintets. I am interested in the Yamaha 822 but my teacher says he never really got into that horn and recommends a Meinl Weston 2182. I played a Roger bobo model F at ITEC and it was by far my favorite F I tryed and I tryed alot of Fs! How similar does the 822 compare to the Bobo Model? Can you all tell me about your experiences with these horns and list other suggestions?
Thanks!

[eupher61]

I've been using a PT-10 as my almost exclusive tuba since 1989. I've had a couple of BBbs, an Eb, and now have a 3/4 BBb and an F helicon, but the B&S does everything well. I'm not sure why Michael would think the Yammy is too big, but that's his opinion and perfectly valid. You can always change mouthpieces, or with screw rims, just the cup, and have a totally different sound on the same instrument. The PT 10 was sort of the start of the F tuba revolution, and the slew of rotary F tubas that came out in the mid and late 80s were variations on that theme. Then the pistons came into vogue, and it's been a totally different world.

Now, you may think about an all-rotary to get a little different kind of flexibility in sound...

[toobagrowl]

I'm looking for a versatile F tuba that will work well in orchestral playing, solos, and quintets. I am interested in the Yamaha 822 but my teacher Michael Moore(ASO) says he never really got into that horn and recommends a Meinl Weston 2182. I played a Roger bobo model F at ITEC and it was by far my favorite F I tryed and I tryed alot of Fs! How similar does the 822 compare to the Bobo Model? Can you all tell me about your experiences with these horns and list other suggestions?
Thanks!

It's good to get advice from your private teacher......but it's also good to go with what YOU like and sound good on. You (or your parents) are the one buying the tuba, not the teacher. The Yammie 822 probably has the fattest sound of all F tubas. Your teacher may not be crazy about it for the Yammie "*vanilla" sound. But I have heard a few good tubists actually get some color and bite from the sound.

*vanilla sound = pleasant, yet somewhat bland sound.

[awaters]

my Willson F does it all...i even use it for small orchestra and a lighter sound in stuff like dvorak
have fun selecting horns

[k001k47]

The Miraphone Petrushka F is great

[UTSAtuba]

To the Original Poster:

I don't think it's a good idea to put your professor's name on a thread (especially when talking about equipment opinions). For most things (relating to people other than yourself), it's good to keep things anonymous.

[joshwirt]

I keep getting compliments from trombone sections, my brass quintet and other pros that they REALLY like the sound of my Miraphone Petrushka. It is hands down the most versatile F I have ever played...you can make it really broad and thick or make it very direct with a cutting sound when necessary. Again, YMMV.

I'll be interested to play the new Kanstul F (hoping they bring one to Midwest)....

-Josh

[Casey Tucker]

I'll 2nd (or 3rd/4th) the Miraphone Petrushka. Extremely nimble at every dynamic and can hand any ensemble situation. The intonation is spot on; I don't pull slides/lip pitches and the craftsmanship is second to none. I LOVE MINE!

-CT

[Roger Lewis]

There are a number of great options now for F tubas. Many great strides have been made in recent time with new models that play exceptionally well. The 2182 is a very good choice for one, as is the Petruschka.

I have spent a lot of time with the Yamaha 621 over the years and it is also a capable horn and I would love to spend some time with the 822 when I have the opportunity. The new Meinl Weston 2250 is also extremely good (and due in very soon), but my heart lies with my current F, the JBL Classic B&S. It is similar in size to the PT10 (which I had for about 10 years a few horns ago), but is (for me) more versatile and has a sound that you can't forget. My quintet loves it, the brass section in the orchestra loves it and it is a really fun horn to play solos on as well.

Get to a conference and play as many different horns as you can. One of them is sure to stand out as the one that likes what you do to it.

Just my $0.02.

Roger

[Sam Gnagey]

My 621 gives me everything I want from an F in orchestra, ensemble and solo work. I do prefer the concept of a smaller F like the 621 especially since my main horn is my self-built 4/4 which covers upper register stuff well but with a broader sound. I see the 822 as being too much like a CC for my tastes. I'd be tempted to go with the Bobo or Petruska if I really felt the need and had the spare change to buy one. I've found both of them very much to my liking in trials, although not significantly superior to my 621 for me to jump for one. I'll be playing Symphony Fantastique and Corsair on the 621 in the next couple weeks.

[J.c. Sherman]

I'm with Sam. The Yammy 822 seamed like a great large Eb without the benefits of being in Eb or having compensating valves. I own a Yammy 621 for one reason - It can do anything. It may not be ideal for everything (there are times I'd KILL for an Alex F or earlier Miraphone 181), but it will ALWAYS do the job and do it well. Incredible tubas.

J.c.S.

[kanstulbrass]

I keep getting compliments from trombone sections, my brass quintet and other pros that they REALLY like the sound of my Miraphone Petrushka. It is hands down the most versatile F I have ever played...you can make it really broad and thick or make it very direct with a cutting sound when necessary. Again, YMMV.

I'll be interested to play the new Kanstul F (hoping they bring one to Midwest)....

-Josh

Yep, Kanstul is returning to the Midwest show after a long absence. We'll have all six of the new tubas, and our friend Lee Stofer will be there to show them to you! Booths 314-316, see you there!

[craig2000]

I have to also support the petruschka from miraphone. Its stunning! It was so good when I got it that it prompted me to investigate the other instruments in the miraphone range and I replaced my wonderful meinl weston 2000 with the 1293 cc. Miraphones latest work really is outstanding. Enjoy the search!

[Wyvern]

My goldbrass B&S PT-15 really does it for me - originally bought for my high register playing such as Berlioz, I soon found that due to its gorgeous tone and excellent ergonomics I preferred as my bass tuba to the handmade MW 2040/5 Eb that I used to have and I now use it for quintet, solos and I estimate 40% of my orchestral playing - in fact everything I would have previously played on Eb.

During the summer I have been working on my low register on the F and with practice the PT-15 is so good down there (maybe due to its large bell throat?) that I now question if I really need a 4/4 CC!

I have of recent covered all my gigs with just the 6/4 Neptune CC and PT-15 F - they are both so versatile tubas and such a joy to play

Jonathan "who even likes having the identical slide layout on Neptune and PT-15"

[craig2000]

Isn't instrument choice such a personal thing! I tried a couple of B and S models including the 15 and just couldn't seem to get on with them. I love the sound and lots of players appear to use them but not for me. Maybe you need to spend a lot of time with them. I'd love to have one for like 2 months to really get to know it. The hardest part of picking any new instrument is only having a very brief time to decide on what to spend a huge amount of cash on. It isn't until you have had a chance to play the instrument in all your usual ensembles, bands and orchestras that you really get to know if its for you. Tough!

[Wyvern]

The hardest part of picking any new instrument is only having a very brief time to decide on what to spend a huge amount of cash on. It isn't until you have had a chance to play the instrument in all your usual ensembles, bands and orchestras that you really get to know if its for you. Tough!

Very true - I think that is why people so often feel the need to change! A tuba which seemed great initially may just not work when you start using regularly with ones ensembles. A perfect example for me was the Miraphone 188 - I really wanted it to work and thought great to start with, but soon found its tone bland with my band even to the extent of the string bass player commenting "I hope you don't mind me saying, but you sounded much better on your old tuba!"

Even with the PT-15 I was not so in love with to start with playing with the usual PT-65 mouthpiece. It was only when I got it a Schmidt 322 mouthpiece (http://www.schmidt-brass.de/e_tuba.htm) while in Germany that it really came alive to become exactly the bass tuba to match the sound in my head. And that is another difficult factor in tuba selection, finding the right mouthpiece as an interface between oneself and the particular model tuba. That same 322 mouthpiece on my PT-20 kills it stone dead

Good luck Craig with your Miraphone 1293 - it must have been a tough decision to part with the MW 2000!

[craig2000]

Well said jonathan. Particularly the part about matching the sound in your head. Never quite managed to make an EEb sound the way I wanted it to. Maybe its to do with growing up listening to the best american and german orchestras then trying to make that sound on my EEb. Some really can sound amazing on a bog standard besson but I just seem to click better with cc. Wasn't that hard a decision in the end. If I could have kept the 2000 and had the 1293 I would , but for the orchestral playing I do the huge open bottom register made complete sense. Maybe a german f rotary valve will be next on my list, oh and a round stamp besson with the old straight fletch leadpipe. That would be good to add to the stable. Cheers

[SFAtuba]

I will put in my vote for the Gronitz PF-125 F tuba. It's their piston F, and it really is one of the most incredible F tubas I have ever played.

There is no 'perfect' tuba, and anyone that tells you that a tuba plays 'perfectly' in tune is full of it. Are some better than others? Obviously yes, but nothing is perfect.

Check the Gronitz out, Tuba Exchange usually takes them to the various conferences, and Ferguson Music out in California also has them.

My opinion FWIW.

[cle_tuba]

The Tuba YFB 822 is a comprehensive, just know what mouthpiece to use!

[Stefan]

My experiences with my Miraphone Petruschka is not quite as glowing as others are saying. Before I get flamed, I should say that I do think it is a great tuba. I love the sound and the feel of the tuba and as soon as I can sell my C, this will be my only instrument. But the claims of not needing to pull slides or lip notes has not been my experience. I have come to terms with this fact by convincing myself that no tuba is perfectly in tune. Sure, I wish I didn't have to pull, but I do. I have also had some issues with sticky and noisy valves. This is after extensively using 2 different Petruschkas. Yes, I like the horn. No, it's not a magic horn that does all things out of the box perfectly.

Stefan