Opinions about Eb Tubas

[J.c. Sherman]

The Willson big-bored Eb and the Bessons/Booseys are indeed very different. But you learn to deal with the "stuffiness" by slow air... over blow 'em or try to force anything and they'll respond... unfavorably, with poor intonation and awful response. I've mentioned this on trombone fora as well... slow air for smaller bores, not high-pressure air.

The Willson is a nice horn, but I'd be loath to play some pyrotechnical stuff on a 5-valve system; for me, the "double tuba" configuration is just super facile for that.

To each their own If you like the big valvers, the Meinl Weston is a nice beast too; I'd love to try the rotary version.

[SFA Tubajack]

Thanks all for the opinions! I am in the process of gathering funds to purchase a Willson 3400! I'm excited to begin studies on an Eb tuba.

Cheers,

Chris

[AHynds]

I hate to do this, but I'm going to have to play the role of devil's advocate for a moment. Eb and F tuba are two definitely different animals, even if they both play roughly the same role. You say that you have played F tuba for a little over a year now--is there anything about F tubas that make you definitely want to switch to Eb? And have you had a lot of playing experience with Eb tubas before? I would make sure you actually have a chance to play some of the horns you are looking at before you commit thousands of dollars toward a horn that you might not end up liking in the end.

For what it's worth, I primarily play CC and F tuba, but I have some experience on Eb (the Willson 3400), and I still prefer my MW 45-SLP. It takes a long time to get used to playing a bass tuba, so keep in mind that switching to Eb would possibly require some more "familiarization" time with the horn, above and beyond the time you have put into your F tuba.

Also, when in doubt, ask your teacher for their opinion about your bass tuba choice.

[Adam C.]

I love using Eb tuba in wind band - with a good section, playing the top divisi? It's a great combination of meat and nimbleness.
Eb tubas are like the rest of them, you just have to find a good one.