Review of Xuqiu Huasheng Travel/Trolly /Micro /Asian F Tuba

[Lingon]

I find when sitting it tends to rest on my stomach

I must get one of these sooner or later

[Wyvern]

When blown hard as would be necessary for such an ensemble you describe the Bubbie tuba does start to sound more trombone like in tone, great if you want to use as substitute cimbasso, but not to provide the broader tuba tone to support ensemble.

I do not have experience with the tenor tuba in ensemble, but doubt if would provide much bigger sound than compensated euphonium, and you would likely have tuning issues playing in the tuba register without the compensating system.

I would suggest a small BBb tuba would better do the job - something like the Junior Bb made by Huashen which is not much larger than euphonium.

[bisontuba]

Hi-
For anyone in the area, Don Harry has arranged to get the orchestra's music hall, Kleinhans, available this Monday at 1PM to check out the Chinese tubas. I'll bring 3 JinBao's-the 186 CC silver 5v clone (#410), the modified 6v F (#600), the Bb 4v tenor tuba (#350) [Don will have his Alex 151 there too], and finally the XuQiu micro/travel 4v F tuba (#XCTA002) with the Voigt practice mute.

If anyone is in town, email me and I can give you directions to the hall for the 'Great Chinese Horn Fest'....LOL....

mark

Hi-
Well, we just finished with the Great Chinese tuba fest with Don, TJ Ricer, and Travis Hendra meeting up at the Hall of the Buffalo Philharmonic.

All of the above horns (silver 186 clone CC-model #410, 6v F with trigger-model 600, 4v tenor tuba Bb-model #350, and the 4v F micro travel tuba) were very, very well received. As I mentioned in a different post, the only negative was that we all felt the tenor tuba-model#350--needs to have the 2nd valve slide shortened. Outside of that, all LOVED the travel tuba and the 186 silver clone. Don had his one and only old 186 there on stage also, and the clone did hold its own to this legendary horn.

[UPDATE--see my news of the tenor tuba after work done on it on a 10-11-11 post under 'Review of JinBao Bb tenor tuba model #350!].

Everyone is in agreement regarding the horns--for the money, they are a tremendous deal.

A fun afternoon for everyone.

Regards-
mark

[Wyvern]

I have just received the first Eb Bubbie (plus some extra slides to add Eb option to existing orders). I have spent the whole evening playing it and having great fun practising the Eb bass part to Philip Wilby's Jazz (which I am playing in contest in just over 2 weeks with Championship band on the JinBao 700 EEb). I went over the Bubbie with tuner and for 'me' it pitched well in Eb with 1st slide out about 1/2", 2nd slide 1/4", 3rd slide 3/4" and 4th slide 2". I could not detect any difference to response playing in Eb, over F. It has certainly not impeded its low register - to my surprise I could get down to pedal G two octaves below the stave!

I tried playing some studies I had previously played on Bubbie pitched in F and had great difficulty with fingerings although I am fine on the JinBao EEb - strange how the brain works - like it could not believe the tuba could now be in Eb! Myself, I will probably only play in Eb for brass band treble clef music.

One unusual thing is the Eb slide has no water key, probably because they could not find anywhere suitable to fit, and anyway there are so many bends that there are multiple places for water to collect. So to empty it has to be pulled and the slide spun, but not too difficult on such small tuba and the slide pulls and replaces easily.

I will post pictures of the Eb slide tomorrow in day-light - it is very ingenious how so much extra piping has been fitted in such a small space - well done Huashen!

The Eb Bubbie is already proving it worth, allowing me to go on practising the test-piece later than I would of otherwise without annoying the neighbours

[sousaphone68]

Hello Jonathan does the Bubbie fit in the case with the Eb slide still in place?

[bisontuba]

Jonathan-
Great news- glad the Eb slide works-looking forward to getting one.
Mark

[imperialbari]

Just to make even me understand:

The F and Eb mini tubas are identical. Only the Eb version comes with main tuning slides for F as well as for Eb? The valve slides have to be pulled adequately for playing in tune i Eb?

Klaus

[Wyvern]

Hello Jonathan does the Bubbie fit in the case with the Eb slide still in place?

Not with the case as it comes. However, I think you could cut foam insert to make room for Eb slide and re-stick lining.

There is a pocket already in case (probably originally intended for oil and such like) where the Eb slide can be stored when not in use.

[Wyvern]

Just to make even me understand:

The F and Eb mini tubas are identical. Only the Eb version comes with main tuning slides for F as well as for Eb? The valve slides have to be pulled adequately for playing in tune i Eb?

What was the F Bubbie now comes with main tuning slide to play in Eb as well. Very important for me to sell in the UK where tuba player are used to Eb and only very few play F.

[imperialbari]

My dense head gets it this way:

You only sell one version of the mini tuba, but then that version is a dual purpose instrument with main tuning slides for F as well as for Eb.

Klaus

[Wyvern]

You've got it Klaus.

The Eb Bubbie is particularly exciting as with that we have moved beyond the cheaper Chinese clone of German tuba to something innovative, new and not available before. Eb tuba player can now enjoy the benefits of the use of travel tuba. Not only orchestral tubists while travelling, but the players in top contest bands. The facility to be able to practice in situations not possible before (such as late at night, while the baby is sleeping, or in lunch break at work) may make the difference between winning or not!

[Wyvern]

As promised here are some pictures of the new Eb Bubbie tuba. I rather like the more muscular look the extra piping provides!

Yes, it does say "Bubbie Tuba" under "Wessex" on bell. It is a new option I am very proud of initiating after only 6 months in business and thank Micky Wrobleski of the Beijing Symphony for his help in trialling and enhancing design!

[Wyvern]

On some of the Scherzer (B&S) rotary piccolo trumpets (and others) the 4th valve paddle is set up such that it is operated with the left hand (3+1). It seems as though the mini "Eb" could also be have this done and be even more friendly to those who play a 3+1 Eb tuba and eliminate the need for reaching around the tuba to use the 4th paddle.

Just a thought...

Yes, that is something I have already thought about as possible future development, but want to see how the response is to the Eb Bubbie in the UK first.

[bisontuba]

Jonathan-
Terrific-looks great!
mark

[sousaphone68]

Congrats Jonathan it surpasses all my expectations it's finish both of the tuba and the new slide look to be much better than the JB 700 I can't wait for my one now

[Wyvern]

Congrats Jonathan it surpasses all my expectations it's finish both of the tuba and the new slide look to be much better than the JB 700 I can't wait for my one now

Yes, the fit, finish and lacquering is first class - as my wife says "if looks almost up to German tuba standards". The Bubbie is even made in what appears gold brass

[Bob Kolada]

Still waiting on a trumpet shaped one...

[bisontuba]

Jonathan-
Might you add a Saturn water key to the Eb tuning slide?
Mark

[David Richoux]

There are two keys included with the case, but some may find it a pain to lock and unlock the case everytime.

Locking cases makes me nervous. It does not deter theft and you could lock the case, got to the gig, and find you have left the keys at home.

Or if you could have the TSA screener lock the TSA key inside as we were departing on a cross country flight - that happened to one of our Sousaphone players last year. He had sent the case though to inspection unlocked with his key in the mouthpiece storage area, assuming that they wouldn't lock it. Lucky we were in New York and could get back to the airport and get the case opened.
(nobody else in the band had a TSA key - not sure if they are all the same anyway.)

[Wyvern]

Might you add a Saturn water key to the Eb tuning slide?

That is what I would recommend to anyone who is worried about lack of water key - however it would have to be two as I think a certain amount of water makes its way to second loop.