EEb as do-it-all horn?

[tooba]

Here is what an Eb tuba could and should sound like:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsEpd0MH150&feature=player_embedded

Fletch on his Besson 981 Eb. Notice the bite and depth he got out of that horn. Fletch probably had the deepest Eb sound I have heard.

[Doc]

The Miraphone NorStar and Starlight models look and sound like F tubas. The other models you listed are true Eb tubas.

I agree. Depends on what sound the OP is shooting for. If I were buying an EEb, I personally would probably not put these high on the list, despite them being top-o-the-list players. For me, I'm thinking Kanstul 66S, MW2141, Willson 3400. But that's me.

[fulerzoo]

I agree. Depends on what sound the OP is shooting for. If I were buying an EEb, I personally would probably not put these high on the list, despite them being top-o-the-list players. For me, I'm thinking Kanstul 66S, MW2141, Willson 3400. But that's me.

Doc - I acquired a Kanstul EEb ( 66T - 4 valves top action) about a year ago. It's got a sound to die for. For me, it fills my British Brass Band and most quintet needs quite well. My playing mate in my Brass Band has a Willson EEb and and I've tooted it enough to say that with confidence that it is MUCH more open and powerful in the low ranges. It would require some real effort (and talent) to use my Kanstul as a low range "do it all" horn but the Willson easily has that capability.

One thing to keep in mind about playing EEb with 4 conjoined valves. You will be using the E natural (first ledger line below the staff (2nd and 4th valve)), quite a bit. Especially when key signatures are only one flat and on through the sharp keys. This can be an awkward finger buster on fast passages. Maybe this is why some people favor the 3 + 1 valve configuration.

[J.c. Sherman]

The Fletch model IS a pain for corpulent folks - I can't play it. However, the 980 and the 981 have a 45 degree slanted body position rather than the snug position of the Fletch Model. It's actually esier for me (not slender) than the 983... but YMMV.

Even better with a tuba stand

J.c.S. (wishing a 980 would wander past...)

[Doc]

Doc - I acquired a Kanstul EEb ( 66T - 4 valves top action) about a year ago. It's got a sound to die for. For me, it fills my British Brass Band and most quintet needs quite well. My playing mate in my Brass Band has a Willson EEb and and I've tooted it enough to say that with confidence that it is MUCH more open and powerful in the low ranges. It would require some real effort (and talent) to use my Kanstul as a low range "do it all" horn but the Willson easily has that capability.

I've played Willsons many times, and I have no doubt it is a do-it-all horn. I really like them. Very expensive new, and very rare used. $#!+

One thing to keep in mind about playing EEb with 4 conjoined valves. You will be using the E natural (first ledger line below the staff (2nd and 4th valve)), quite a bit. Especially when key signatures are only one flat and on through the sharp keys. This can be an awkward finger buster on fast passages. Maybe this is why some people favor the 3 + 1 valve configuration.

I understand. That's why I indicated I'd like a front action (with a fifth valve) or a 983.

The Fletch model IS a pain for corpulent folks - I can't play it. However, the 980 and the 981 have a 45 degree slanted body position rather than the snug position of the Fletch Model. It's actually esier for me (not slender) than the 983... but YMMV.

Even better with a tuba stand

J.c.S. (wishing a 980 would wander past...)

Hmm... begs for more research.

[bloke]

One problem that I've experienced with the highly-touted (at least in the past) Willson Eb tuba is that the fingerings around low F (a pitch of which composers seem to be somewhat fond) can't quite be placed where it needs to go (at least with the slides in place to temper the adjacent pitches). Eyes will roll upon reading this, but an already-well-in-tune bass tuba with 6 valves offers more work-arounds and comes the closest to allowing the player to mash buttons and play with few compromises and no slide-grappling. ...I just haven't seen many 6-valve Eb tubas.

bloke "an old dog who learned the 6-valves trick many years ago, and not looking to learn the 5-valves + slide grappling trick"

[Doc]

After owning a 6v F tuba, I wouldn't buy an F tuba without 6 valves.

Joe,

If there isn't a 6v EEb out there, how much would it cost for you to add a 6th valve?

[tclements]

I would think the best all around, do all horn would be a 4/4 CC. Quintet, show, solo, orchstra, band. There are many players in the UK that make the EEb their do-all horn, but many of them learn on Eb and I just don't see that happening on this side of the pond.

[bloke]

I would think the best all around, do all horn would be a 4/4 CC. Quintet, show, solo, orchstra, band. There are many players in the UK that make the EEb their do-all horn, but many of them learn on Eb and I just don't see that happening on this side of the pond.

what about polka-western or country-mariachi ?

It seems like GG tubas might be best for these, and EE tubas best for rock bands.

bloke "...but yeah, unarguably CC is best for a funk-disco band."

[GC]

@tooba: some posts a few years back said that Fletch used a CC Holton for a good bit of the Star Wars sound track, particularly evident in the Jawas sandcrawler solo.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iISxAhvv3ts Check around 3:16. As great as Fletch was, there's no way that's an Eb.

[bloke]

@tooba: some posts a few years back said that Fletch used a CC Holton for a good bit of the Star Wars sound track, particularly evident in the Jawas sandcrawler solo.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iISxAhvv3ts Check around 3:16. As great as Fletch was, there's no way that's an Eb.

With my (whatever) player and (very good) headphones, that tuba solo just sounds "fuzzy". I don't think I'd be willing to wager a nickel on that as a bet, because it lacks clarity. Further, recordings of tubas can sound all sorts of ways depending on room/mic/eq.

...I do own an l.p. of the PJBE with his Holton 345 in the picture...

...this one:

[Mark]

http://forums.chisham.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=47206