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

[bisontuba]

Hi-
Just acquired an older Yamaha 'John Griffiths' tuba mouthpiece, and this IS the mouthpiece for the Asian travel tuba if you want a Cimbasso alternative. The Bach 32E is excellent for this purpose, but these hard to find Griffiths' mouthpieces really make it on this little guy. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for this horn (just good luck finding one of these mouthpieces!).
Regards-
mark

PS. I have to say that these days, I recommend folks get their Chinese horns from Tom at MACK Brass. Thanks.

[heavymetaltuba]

I have bought a Wessex travel tuba some weeks ago. Here's a brief
summary of my impressions on it.

Actually the topics below are most important to me:
1) The tuba works
The travel tuba is a real tuba; it is fun to practice with it and play
it. Intonation is basically fine. It may not exactly reach the
Weltklang that I also play, but to me is as good as the Cerveny
Harmonia. I am not an expert player, so please rather take this as an
amateurs judgement

2) The concept works
I have taken the tuba along on various occasions where I would not
have taken a larger tuba. Even with the case it is light and of course
nobody believes you if you say there's a tuba in there.

3) The price is fair
Let's face it, most people that may be interested in this tuba will
have a larger F-tuba as well. So it is about the decision to have a
second instrument to take along.
For travel a Melton Trolley or the original Jestaedt to me would just
be too expensive. I would fear to damage them and not carry them on
occasions that I would not be worried to take the Wessex.
Also I would feel worried to leave 5000 $ in a parked car.

4) Quality of the instrument:
This is hard to judge after some weeks. I can say at first sight I
really liked it. At second sight, after playing and testing, I had
some problems with the valves that just did not move freely all the
time, specially after putting the tuba down for some days. Somehow I
had the impression that the tuba may be a little dirty inside as I
found some small metal parts in the case. Then I cleaned it with water
(using a shower tube and putting it to the mouthpipe). After that the
valves work excellent and did not have any problems afterwards. I I
recommend to really clean it well inside and oil it well afterwards.
Valves are very airtight, it is better than I expected on this.

5) Sound:
There are some sound examples from Jonathan already posted in tubenet.
I would describe the sound as clear and straightforward. I would agree
that the lower notes are not as warm as on a larger instrument, but
high notes play fine and easy.
The tuba sings in a nice way given the size of the tuba.

6) Frequency of playing:
This is also an important topic to me. I play this tuba much more
often than I would have expected. I pick it up in the late evening
sometimes and play it on the sofa with the practice mute. Or when I am
at home on weekends I take it just to play for some minutes. So it is
really a convenient instrument and by its convenience makes practicing
easier - at least to me.

[heavymetaltuba]

As I own one of the Wessex travel tubas I have tried several mutes on
it. I have made some photos to show these attempts.
Actually most of the mutes are tried are mutes for other instruments.

Yamaha:
I tried two Yamaha silent brass mutes (for Euphonium and trombone /
bass trombone.
Both do not work, one is too small and another one too big

Best brass:
The bass trombone one is too small. I also have the Euphonium version,
which I did not try as I know it is far too big

Wallace trombone mute:
The trombone mute is too small. It just does not fit.

No name horn mute:
I own an older paper horn mute, which I tried and which works for me

Voigt brass mute for travel tuba / for Melton Trolley:
This is really the mute working best on this tuba. Pitch and sound are very good. I really recommend it.
The horn mute which I used before getting the original one from Jonathan / Neptune I only use because it fits in the case in the bell of the instrument.

[Wyvern]

Here is link to pictures of mutes 'heavymetaltuba' has tried with the Bubbie tuba
https://picasaweb.google.com/1047354525 ... ubbieMutes

[Lingon]

...Wallace trombone mute:
The trombone mute is too small. It just does not fit...

Which one did you try, the bass or tenor trombone mute?

[bisontuba]

Hi-
Just got my Xu Qiu F Travel Tuba back from my repairman for some mods (3&4 valves 'turned', synthetic cork and bumpers, valve alignment, etc.).
Warning-Warning[OMG-I sound like the old TV show Lost in Space Robot!]---have valve alignment checked with an internal camera--don't just go by the rotor markings--rotors were not in alignment--horn is MUCH better now!
Also, FYI--bore on this horn is 12mm--approx. .470~.473---small!

Next up is in the mail--from our friend Jonathan--an Eb tuning slide to have the option of having the horn in F or Eb--when I get it, I'll post my thoughts on it.
Later-
Mark

[Bob Kolada]

Still waiting on a trumpet shaped one...

[Lingon]

Hmm, isn't this one a tuba shaped trumpet?!

[MartyNeilan]

Still waiting on a trumpet shaped one...

I'm with Bob on that one - would be way cool but might need a peg like the Fluba.

[bisontuba]

Hi-
Just got my Eb slide for the Xu Qiu/Huashen micro F tuba from our friend Jonathan--the Eb slide rocks!! It plays as good or better than the F slide--here are pics:

micro F


micro "Eb"


F and Eb slides


The micro F with the Eb slide and Voigt practice mute


This is a really neat addition. I don't play a lot of Eb, but figured I might as well have a 'complete set"--and I'm glad I did. A great addition. Thanks to Jonathan and Micky!!!!

Regards-
mark
jonestuba@Juno.com" target="_blank

[bisontuba]

Hi-
Finally added an Amado water key to the Eb slide--works great, and both the F and Eb version of this little tuba work terrific. A very neat item!
mark

[MartyNeilan]

Still waiting on a trumpet shaped one...

Still Ditto

[Wyvern]

Still waiting on a trumpet shaped one...

Still Ditto

Is not a trumpet shaped one called a BASS TRUMPET? - http://www.wessex-tubas.co.uk/other-bra ... pet-rotary

Incidentally, the next batch of Bubbie travel tuba Wessex Tubas are getting (expected in stock February) are being fitted with water key on Eb slide as standard, the case remoulded to allow tuba to be inserted with Eb slide fitted and a lyre block for use on standing gigs (such as Christmas carol playing). All improvements responding to customer feedback.

[MartyNeilan]

Still waiting on a trumpet shaped one...

Still Ditto

Is not a trumpet shaped one called a BASS TRUMPET? - http://www.wessex-tubas.co.uk/other-bra ... pet-rotary

A bass trumpet in F or Eb would be a full octave higher than the Bubbie and most likely play with a small shank trombone mouthpiece.
A reconfigured Bubbie could be a poor man's "Fluba" or (possibly) a cimbasso replacement

[bisontuba]

Hi-
I wanted to see if I could find a modern 'Tornister'/backpack/knapsack for the little F travel tuba. I started looking into alto/tenor horn gig bags--& surprise, not many exist. I finally found one made by GARD--a new 'mid-suspension' model for alto/tenor horns--from WWBW for $59.99, free shipping. I bought the cordura/synthetic version, and yes, it does fit the horn!!! It comes with a 'nose cone' to protect the bell, but there is a lot of protection already built into the bell section of the bag, so I took that out (velcro insert). The optional Eb tuning slide, mouthpiece, and rotor oil fit in the access. compartment, and the Voigt practice fits into the bell when putting the bell into the bag (like a lot of trumpet players I know who put their practice mute in the horn of their horn and then in their gig bags for gigs) and it zips up nicely.

Jonathan of Wessex in England has a much, much nicer German bag for his models, but this is an alternative. The horn fits Very snugly in the bag, but it does work and makes it super easy to transport--and instead of using the nice hard case that comes with it, this is perfect for 'on the go.'

FYI:















Regards-

mark

P.S. If you want to add very comfortable back pack straps in lieu of a single shoulder strap, you can also order ProTec backpack straps for $14.99 with free shipping to go along with the GARD bag--FWIW....

[Lingon]

Mark, your pics are a bit small so it is difficult to get the picture so to say. Is your case like one of the following?

[bisontuba]

Hi-
Similar to the top bag pictured--model 545-MSK



mark

P.S. BTW, I see that the Meinl Weston #14 Travel Tuba is now selling new in the States for $8,125----yikes......

[Lingon]

Hi-
Similar to the top bag pictured--model 545-MSK



mark

Thanks Mark, it sounds promising and at last something that is not doubled in price as soon as it arrives to Sweden...

[bisontuba]

wow, an entire page of

"This post was made by "***" who is currently on your ignore list."