New F tuba models... now that the honeymoon is over...

[bort]

Seems like several new models of F tubas have come out over the past few years. I'm curious to hear what people's impressions are now that they've had some serious time behind these horns. Things you like less/more than initially, things that have surprised you (good or bad), etc. How does it compare (good/bad) to whatever you had before this?

Most curious to hear about newly designed models like:
-- Miraphone Petrushka
-- Kanstul F tuba
-- JinBao F tuba (but for goodness sakes, don't turn this into a commercial...)
-- MW 2250 or 4450 (or whatever the numbers are)

Not even that I'm interested to buy any of these, I'm just curious to hear peoples' stories!

[bisontuba]

HI-
Still feel the same FWIW-mark

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=42339&hilit=review+of+jinbao+f+tuba" target="_blank

[tubaforce]

Hi!
A pro client of Mack's has a Petrushka, and has tried a 600F. While we're talking about 2 different Tuba styles (piston V. Rotor), His impressions should be of interest if he's willing to post.
I have access during the school year to a Firebird, and will try to get a side by side on YouTube.
Also, my web guy(and section mate)'s son will be on leave from the Army Band this week, so I will ask for a demo from him, if he has his Petrushka with him, that is.

Al

[tclements]

WARNING! HIGHLY OPINIONATED INFORMATION FOLLOWS!!

One of the most beautiful F tuba sounds comes out of the Alexanders. The sound of my 156 is GORGEOUS!
The tuba with the best low notes is the Yamaha 822, and Gronitz PF-125. I've not played a tuba with better low notes.
The solo horn I prefer is the Yamaha 621. Plenty of sound, plenty of projection.
The best Bydlo horn is the Dehmal, but I know of only 2 of these.
The next acquisition is a MW 4460. Still waiting.

[AHynds]

2250

-list of traits

Some will surely disagree with this: I was surprised (when I had a chance to play them back-to-back) how much more similar to a 45SL-P it was than different.

Would you care to elaborate on this? This is coming from a 45-SLP owner who is very intrigued by the 2250.

Aaron H.

[tubatom91]

I really enjoyed playing the Miraphone, it was a bit on the smaller side but the valves were what struck me as different from other piston F's I've tried; they weren't monstrous, they were small light and agile and I really liked that. I had only been playing an F tuba for a week or two before I tried out any others (Midwest) but the Miraphone stood out for me.

[Stefan]

I have had my Petrushka for a year and I still like it a lot. I have learned to deal with a few intonation issues. The one thing that I hate about this tuba is that when I put it down, water leaks out of the leadpipe onto the bell. I have never owned a tuba which does it as much as this. No matter how thorough I am about emptying the water from the various slides, there is still water trapped in there somewhere. You might be saying so what - deal with it. But this has become a huge nuisance. Probably about 75% of the time it happens and it's enough that it drips all over me when I lift it up. Of course, I usually remember to wipe it off first. But sometimes I forget.

Stefan

[bort]

Thanks everyone!

Stefan, perhaps not surprisingly, my old 1291 did the exact same thing. I totally forgot about the small "pick up shower."

LJV, thanks for the analysis and criticism. I'm really curious about the new MW tubas, even if it's not something I can afford right now.