Dillon Music Tubas

[ParLawGod]

Hi everyone, I did a search on this subject but the results were very limited.

Just wondering who out there has played the Dillon Music tubas. I am thinking about trying/purchasing one, but want to do some initial homework.

http://www.dillonmusic.com/HeleoCart/Pr ... B-641.aspx" target="_blank

It is my understanding that these are similar (or the same as?) the Schiller stencils...is this true? I have the utmost respect for Steve Dillon, so I know that he would NOT put his name on something that wasn't quality. Does he pick these instruments out by hand, or does he just order them and do some work to get them up to his standards?

Most importantly, how well built are the Dillon tubas, and how do they play? I have a student who owns a Schiller tuba, and the pitch can be a bit sketchy. Sound is very good though.

Also, which model horn is this tuba based on?

I am primarily a trombone/euphonium player, but "dabble" on tuba (as there is a shortage of tubists in my area). I've been getting more playing opportunities recently and the Conn 12J I've been borrowing just isn't cutting it (makes me regret selling my 20J).

Thanks for any help on this. I'll probably give Matt a call sometime this week and get some info too.

[Michael Bush]

If I were in the market for a Chinese tuba today, this is the one I'd get, though I'd go through someone who would get it with Jinbao on the bell for somewhat less:

http://www.tubamm.com/site/big/mm-tu8000.htm" target="_blank" target="_blank

EDIT: ...and with the actual manufacturer's name on it you don't have to explain why it inexplicably says "USA" or worse, "Frankfurt, Germany" on the bell and case.

[pgym]

Dillon, Schiller, Baltimore Brass, Tuba MM, Tuba Exchange stencil horns are all made by Jin Bao. (It's possible that there are some minor vendor-specific tweaks, though.)

The Note from Matt (from 2009) regarding Dillon tubas imples that Steve/Matt/a Dillon employee does not hand-pick them, but that they are vetted somehow before the Dillon logo is affixed to them. And I don't doubt that Matt goes over them with a fine-tooth comb before they go out the door to the customer.

[contraddictions88]

I bought a Dillon CC last summer and really like this horn. They are modeled after the Miraphone 186. I am a senior music ed major and there are 3 of us who have a chinese clone in my studio. 2 were from Dillons, 1 was from BaltBrassCo. Our teacher likes the 2 from dillons better than the one from baltimore, possibly because it was a freshman who didnt know what he was doing that bought the baltimore horn. If you live in the tri-state area I would definitely buy from Dillons. Matt Walters would not let a tuba leave the shop that he didnt make at least some minor tweaks, and if you had any problems would fix them for you for next to nothing.

The only problem I had on my horn were the valves sticking. I think it might have had something to do with humidity changes because once the early fall weather arrived for good(and matt worked on them for free) they were fine. The only intonation problems I have on the horn is D, Eb, and E on the staff. All are fine with a push of the slide for D and alternate fingers for E and Eb.

[Dan Schultz]

I bought a Dillon CC last summer and really like this horn. ...... The only problem I had on my horn were the valves sticking.......

This is a common problem with any brand-new or recently overhauled tuba. The likely culprit is buffing compound or other 'grit' left from the manufacturing processes. Once the horn has been 'flushed out' by lubricants and condensation, and a patina develops on the inside of the casings.... things tend to 'settle down'.

[TMurphy]

I played a few last time I was down there getting my horn chem cleaned. I was amazed at how well they played. I was even more amazed when I saw the price tag.

[windmill]

I was chugging along with a small Yamaha CC last year and looking for something bigger. In August I saw that Dillons had a used Dillon stencil Miraclone CC 5 valve listed on the web. I rushed right down to try it and ended up bringing it home and then buying it for about the same price as a new version of this tuba from the other sources listed above. While I was there I tried it up against a Miraphone 188. I thought the Chinese horn played better at the time but in all reality it takes me time to get used to slotting on any instrument. That being said It was my impression that the 188 had wider slots. I brought a tuner with me to the store and was really impressed with the Dillon intonation.

I'm very happy with the horn. I've practiced a lot on it a played it on a few gigs. I get compliments. The sound carries great. Intonation is great. I think the tuba is built well, I've had some time to look carefully over the instrument now and I can see that the work on it is good. I'm really impressed with the dynamic range. I do think the color of the tone is a bit bland. I'm nit picking. My decision was based mostly on budget but I'm really happy with the results.

For the extra money I would definitely consider the Dillon tuba. They put their name on it and it is really going to be good. I believe they have a process of carefully selecting the better horns from all that are available and then Matt does tweaking magic. If you can hit them up when they have a used one even better. I didn't play the BBb version but right now they have a 4 rotary BBb Miraphone used for about the same price. Good time to compare the 2. Best of luck. Don't pass on the opportunity to play on the CC version even if only for comparison. You might like it enough to consider buying it in CC a learning a new fingering...If I can learn CC in my late 40's then, well you CAN teach an old dog new tricks!

[MartyNeilan]

Although not perfect, I was very satisfied with the "Schiller" Miraphfone 186-5U copy that I had, and absolutely loved it for the price. jonesmj has a friend that is importing these and the much-talked-about F tubas and compensating Eb tubas. As my "BART" is admittedly still a work in progress, and a little big for some applications (tuba heresy!) I am seriously considering getting another clone if finances allow.
These clones seem to be a little "heavier" than some of the originals; the Blokepiece solo mouthpieces seem to work very well on them to add color and clarity to the sound and prevent it from being a more "covered" timbre that could result from too large a mouthpiece on these horns.

[Bob Kolada]

I don't think I've played any Dillon horns specifically, but the Schillbrunner and 1291 clones are very nice horns.
Jeremiah, what do you want the horn for? One of the Eb's (haven't played) or F's (nice horn!) might work for you, what with you being a small horn guy and all.

[ParLawGod]

I'll probably definitely go the BBb route...since I'm not a "dedicated" tubist. Whenever I'm asked to fill in on tuba it is always in brass quintet and concert band settings.

I'm also thinking about making a trip out to Jim Laabs Music this weekend (yes I said it...never thought I'd EVER want to step foot in that place!), but calling them ahead of time and trying some of those Schiller horns may give me a good indication as to which BBb model may suit me the best (if any). Who knows, maybe I would even leave with one...?!???

Thanks everyone, the input is greatly appreciated!

[Matt Walters]

Hey Gang,
Just wanted to take an minute and clear up one point on this thread. I can promise you there are more than one instrument factory in China. Our selection of Chinese built Dillon instruments come from many different factories. We have a team in China that supplies us with a selection of instruments from the many manufacturers that we can pick and choose from to provide our customers the horns that offer the best bang for the buck. Our goal is to find horns that offer “two thirds the horn for one third the price.”

[Bob Kolada]

I'll probably definitely go the BBb route...since I'm not a "dedicated" tubist. Whenever I'm asked to fill in on tuba it is always in brass quintet and concert band settings.

You play alto trombone and are therefore relatively accustomed to playing an Eb instrument, correct? Try out the Eb's (a 3+1 comp Eb will also play similarly to your euphonium). The worst possible horn for a trombonist to play in brass quintet is a big Bb tuba, and it doesn't seem that any of the acclaimed Chinese Bb's are small horns. Since you're a trombonist/euphoniumist you'd also be fine playing a big Eb in concert band for 3 reasons- it'd work fine regardless, you really wouldn't be expected to bring in a giant tuba, and you'd have a much better chance of being comfortable on a horn that you probably won't play that much.
I really think of the 2 Chinese bass tubas out there the F would be a better fit for you as the Eb is kinda big (assuming it's a clone of the 981) but I can understand not wanting to deal with how different a 6 rotary valved F is from what you play.

[fshalor]

Interesting thread. A lot of good information in here.

I'm actually considering going down to Dillon this weekend and giving one of those 641 clones and maybe a used Miraphone a look.

I spent a lot of time a few years ago playing a YBB-641, and miss that horn. The cost of the Dillon 641 looks to be spot on. Although something about the 1291 copies also interests me. I'm tending toward rotors, but it looks like the market has shifted around enough that I should look at all my options.

If I do get down to Dillon, I'll promise a full report.

When I was briefly a tuba/euphonium performance major, there sure weren't "potentially valid tuba options; new" in the $2k range. Things may have gone differently for me if there had been. As someone who cashed in his financial aid check not once but twice on horns, and then spent semesters living off ramen and lunch meat... well, what would college have been without those days.

-= Ken "i'm glad to be thinking about playing tuba again" D

[pgym]

Hey Gang,
Just wanted to take an minute and clear up one point on this thread. I can promise you there are more than one instrument factory in China. Our selection of Chinese built Dillon instruments come from many different factories. We have a team in China that supplies us with a selection of instruments from the many manufacturers that we can pick and choose from to provide our customers the horns that offer the best bang for the buck.

Thanks for the info, Matt. It sounds like mfg standards are rising across the board in response to the market, which bodes well for the future.

[/quote]Our goal is to find horns that offer “two thirds the horn for one third the price.”[/quote]

You're aiming too low: how 'bout 90% of the horn for 1/10th the price?

[Tubaryan12]

Our goal is to find horns that offer “two thirds the horn for one third the price.

You're aiming too low: how 'bout 90% of the horn for 1/10th the price?

That's what eBay is for.

[jeopardymaster]

The BBb 191 (1291? I can never keep them straight) clone I tried in December was an AMAZING instrument. Way better at what it did than either the 190 or 281 CC I tried. Matt is being modest about that "2/3 the horn" stuff - at least with regard to that particular copy.

[Dan Schultz]

The BBb 191 (1291? I can never keep them straight) .....

1291 = pistons.
191 = rotors.