4 x 3 + 1 = grumpy wife - she doesn't like dorn
- PhilGreen
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4 x 3 + 1 = grumpy wife - she doesn't like dorn
Hi folks,
I'm in the market for a new 3+1 compensating EEb and am fortunate enough that Jonathan (Neptune/Wessex) and Mark (Mr Tuba) have lent me some to try.
From left to right:
Hand made (unfinished) Mr Tuba model in raw brass, the rarely seen York 3080, the even rarer Miraphone 7050 and the Wessex 981 model. All blow really differently and despite the £5,500 price difference between the most and least expensive all have some great things going for them.
I'm expecting the prototype Neo any day soon - God knows where that's going to go and when I'll get the time to play them all!
Mrs Green isn't happy that her front room is now as full as the 3rd bedroom, where I keep my battered old 982 and my Melton 2040/5.
I'm in the market for a new 3+1 compensating EEb and am fortunate enough that Jonathan (Neptune/Wessex) and Mark (Mr Tuba) have lent me some to try.
From left to right:
Hand made (unfinished) Mr Tuba model in raw brass, the rarely seen York 3080, the even rarer Miraphone 7050 and the Wessex 981 model. All blow really differently and despite the £5,500 price difference between the most and least expensive all have some great things going for them.
I'm expecting the prototype Neo any day soon - God knows where that's going to go and when I'll get the time to play them all!
Mrs Green isn't happy that her front room is now as full as the 3rd bedroom, where I keep my battered old 982 and my Melton 2040/5.
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Phil Green.
- sousaphone68
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Re: 4 x 3 + 1 = grumpy wife - she doesn't like dorn
Not asking you to name it but has one of them pushed a nose out in front yet?
It also goes to show there's not much you can do to vary or improve a 3 + 1 layout you have four examples from different sources and makers and they all look very similar externally.
It also goes to show there's not much you can do to vary or improve a 3 + 1 layout you have four examples from different sources and makers and they all look very similar externally.
Last edited by sousaphone68 on Tue Jul 17, 2012 4:09 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Cant carry a tune but I can carry a tuba.


- PhilGreen
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Re: 4 x 3 + 1 = grumpy wife - she doesn't like dorn
Hopefully not too cryptic but enough to get people to take a lookKiltieTuba wrote:Took me a while to understand the title... couldn't figure out how 13 got into the mix...
Phil Green.
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Tom Coffey
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Re: 4 x 3 + 1 = grumpy wife - she doesn't like dorn
+1. Just not a lot of design differences evident in that picture!sousaphone68 wrote:It also goes to show there's not much you can do to vary or improve a 3 + 1 layout you have four examples from different sources and makers and they all look very similar externally.
- sousaphone68
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Re: 4 x 3 + 1 = grumpy wife - she doesn't like dorn
What is the gadget on the 4th valve on the Miraphone?
Is it a trigger for a slide or a keeper for the 4th valve when its in its case?
Is it a trigger for a slide or a keeper for the 4th valve when its in its case?
Cant carry a tune but I can carry a tuba.


- PhilGreen
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Re: 4 x 3 + 1 = grumpy wife - she doesn't like dorn
It just keeps the 4th valve locked 'in' when not being used - or alternatively makes it into a BBb 
Phil Green.
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Re: 4 x 3 + 1 = grumpy wife - she doesn't like dorn
I would have titled the thread "4 = 3 + 1," or simply "3 X 1" (in the same manner that the common dimensional lumber is referred to as a "2 X 4").
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- PhilGreen
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Re: 4 x 3 + 1 = grumpy wife - she doesn't like dorn
Feels a bit wooden doesn't it?
If anyone is interested I'll note down my thoughts on each one when I've had a bit more time with each. If not Noel, I'll drop you a PM when ready.
If anyone is interested I'll note down my thoughts on each one when I've had a bit more time with each. If not Noel, I'll drop you a PM when ready.
Phil Green.
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LCH3
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Re: 4 x 3 + 1 = grumpy wife - she doesn't like dorn
Please do report on your evaluation.PhilGreen wrote:Feels a bit wooden doesn't it?
If anyone is interested I'll note down my thoughts on each one when I've had a bit more time with each. If not Noel, I'll drop you a PM when ready.
Thanks...
Larry Haake
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Re: 4 x 3 + 1 = grumpy wife - she doesn't like dorn
What's a Neo?
Instructor of Tuba & Euphonium, Cleveland State University
Principal Tuba, Firelands Symphony Orchestra
President, Variations in Brass
http://www.jcsherman.net
Principal Tuba, Firelands Symphony Orchestra
President, Variations in Brass
http://www.jcsherman.net
- PhilGreen
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Re: 4 x 3 + 1 = grumpy wife - she doesn't like dorn
It's the new model from Yamaha to go with the Neo BBb released in the lat couple of years. Should be available in production next year I'm led to believe.J.c. Sherman wrote:What's a Neo?
Phil Green.
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Re: 4 x 3 + 1 = grumpy wife - she doesn't like dorn
Hmmm... wonder why they ran with "Neo" instead of "Xeno".
Still was hoping to try a lacquered 622...
J.c.S.
Still was hoping to try a lacquered 622...
J.c.S.
Instructor of Tuba & Euphonium, Cleveland State University
Principal Tuba, Firelands Symphony Orchestra
President, Variations in Brass
http://www.jcsherman.net
Principal Tuba, Firelands Symphony Orchestra
President, Variations in Brass
http://www.jcsherman.net
- DaTubaKid
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Re: 4 x 3 + 1 = grumpy wife - she doesn't like dorn
BecauseJ.c. Sherman wrote:Hmmm... wonder why they ran with "Neo" instead of "Xeno".
Still was hoping to try a lacquered 622...
J.c.S.

is better than

Colby Fahrenbacher
Principal Tuba, Danville Symphony Orchestra
Associate Tuba, Civic Orchestra of Chicago
Principal Tuba, Danville Symphony Orchestra
Associate Tuba, Civic Orchestra of Chicago
- J.c. Sherman
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Re: 4 x 3 + 1 = grumpy wife - she doesn't like dorn
I'll take the latter, thank you 
And why do you think I want the 622 over the 622S
And why do you think I want the 622 over the 622S
Instructor of Tuba & Euphonium, Cleveland State University
Principal Tuba, Firelands Symphony Orchestra
President, Variations in Brass
http://www.jcsherman.net
Principal Tuba, Firelands Symphony Orchestra
President, Variations in Brass
http://www.jcsherman.net
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Re: 4 x 3 + 1 = grumpy wife - she doesn't like dorn
I'll take a vintage Wonder Woman modelJ.c. Sherman wrote:I'll take the latter, thank you
And why do you think I want the 622 over the 622S
(fully restored, of course)