Eb Miraphone Ambassador or Yamaha YEB631

[LCH3]

Greetings,

Looking for comments on these 2 Eb tubas from those with experience.

Thanks.....LH

[IOS]

I have owned and played extensively both of these instruments. The Yamaha is simply not a good instrument. It has exceptionally poor intonation in the lower register and is very stuffy below a D. The Miraphone 7000 is an interesting instrument. A great low register (the best I have encountered) but a poor upper register. The intonation issues, however, will drive you nuts. The Eb (in the register is low) and this affects everything else. Beyond this, the instrument does not center well making it a challenge to play. Your best bet is to go with a Besson 981 (or 982). (I have one of each and they are almost identical.) Good intonation and really fun to perform on. You can go from ppp to fff and get compliments doing so.

[PaulTkachenko]

I'm very happy with my 631 - no complaints at all.

I did try an Ambassador at Miraphone a few years ago and whilst I like many of their tubas, this one felt very heavy to handle both in weight and in playability.

Besson 981/2 also good, but I still prefer my 631.