Big Mouth Brass E flat tuba (J345) vs. Wessex Champion

[Eflatdoubler]

I recently had the opportunity to play the Big Mouth Brass silver E flat tuba (J-345SP) at TMEA. I was very impressed with the horn (I felt it along with the B&S 22p were the easiest and most enjoyable e flat tubas there that I played).

I have heard good things about the Wessex Champion model e flat tuba (this appears to be slightly different than the other Chinese clones).

Wessex was not at TMEA this year so I was not able to do a side by side test. I realize the horns are different in the set up, but I would love to hear any opinions from people who might have had the opportunity to play them side by side.
I joined this forum a few years ago as "eflatdoubler" but have been playing CC tuba and finally feel like I want to make the change over to E flat. I loved the Big Mouth brass model I tried (Gemeinhardt) but would like to hear from others on the pros or cons between the two models (please only if you have played them). I have never played a 3+1 tuba, but I am quite comfortable having my euphonium that way.

As for other eflat tubas, I did not get to try the Meinl Weston 2141 as it was not at the convention. There were a handful of other nice horns (Besson 983 and Miraphone Norwegian Star) but they were not right for me. If you have tried both the Wessex and the Big Mouth Brass and feel it is worth waiting to try the Wessex, I would love to hear from you. If anyone knows where/when I might find the two horns in the same location that is reasonable to get to from the Houston area that would also be appreciated!
For those of you that might be interested in a terrific silver plated Conn 3J (CC 4v piston) in mint condition with a Miraphone gig bag let me know, or check out the for sale forum as I will be listing mine soon...
Thanks for the help!

[Jess Haney]

have you tried either Willson Eb, both the Erickson and compact model are great players.

[Eflatdoubler]

Thank you for the quick response! I am indeed shopping for one, although I have to sell my 3J first (perhaps a trade?). Both of your horns look great and I would be very interested in trying them. I will have to figure out a road trip perhaps to Tennessee.

@tank- I did try the Willson E flat "compact" tuba but I did not like it (I forgot to put it on my list of ones I tried, but for me it would be at the bottom- no offense to anyone that this model works for )

[Ian1]

Hi hope I can help a little bit.

I have never tried a Big Mouth Brass EEb however I do use Wessex Tubas professionally in the UK and they blow great - no problems at all.

If you want to hear it in action to help your decision then please feel free to have a listen on http://www.ianfostertuba.com" target="_blank.

PM me if you'd like any other honest opinion or info at all.

Best wishes,

Ian

[bisontuba]

Hi-
The Gemeinhardt/BMB Eb is a great playing horn. If I played Eb, I would buy it in a heartbeat ....as good as its 'brother' BMB F tuba....
My 2 cents....

Mark

[Lectron]

Can't speak of the wessex but can speak for the jinbao 700, and thats basically the same.

It is a decent playing instrument with many of the same qualities as a good 981, thou it does not seem to resonate just as good and I do get anoyed of all the mechanical sharp edges on ferrules, valve tuning slides with different diameter tubings, poor threads on valve caps etc.

I'd rather have the factory solve those issues and pay $500-1000 more.

The general craftsmanship is good, so it would be nice if the prefabricated parts could better. Especially the ferreules, and also stay with one design on all of them.

But. It playes good. I am sure Jonathan can have them solve these issues and lift the horn up a class.

[Wyvern]

Can't speak of the wessex but can speak for the jinbao 700, and thats basically the same.

It is a decent playing instrument with many of the same qualities as a good 981, thou it does not seem to resonate just as good and I do get anoyed of all the mechanical sharp edges on ferrules, valve tuning slides with different diameter tubings, poor threads on valve caps etc.

I'd rather have the factory solve those issues and pay $500-1000 more.

The general craftsmanship is good, so it would be nice if the prefabricated parts could better. Especially the ferreules, and also stay with one design on all of them.

But. It playes good. I am sure Jonathan can have them solve these issues and lift the horn up a class.

The quality of the Wessex gets better with every batch. My wife is not short of giving the factory feedback on anything not quite right (in their own language) and it has paid off with impressive quality improvements. They are granted still not up to German quality of finish, but we are getting there bit, by bit as the Production Manager is very receptive to feedback and I know is doing his best to improve. If the factory apply those quality improvements to all production, or just Wessex, I don't know, although a lot of design improvements are specific to Wessex anyway. Virtually every order includes yet an additional improvement - I think we are now up to 14 actual improvements for the E flat tuba making it quite different from a Jinbao 700.

The Wessex EEb tuba Champion is a really superb player (I use one myself as my main tuba), and is now being used by three professional orchestral tubists in the UK (Ian Foster, Owen Slade and Mike Poyser). Feedback from those professionals is that it has excellent intonation, easy high register and good open low and a tone similar to the 981 of the 1980's. Valves are very reliable (I have never suffered valve stick) and with our improvements, quiet and smooth. My perception is the special Wessex swan-necked gold brass leadpipe seems to focus the sound a little better, as well as dramatically improving the ergonomics to play.

I have never tried a Big Mouth E flat to compare - which to go for should be determined by personal preference (and maybe budget).

Sorry to those that do not like me posting here, but I am answering question and am really passionate and proud of this tuba - I feel after all the developments it is a real 'star' in the Wessex range!

[Lingon]

...Sorry to those that do not like me posting here, but I am answering question and am really passionate and proud of this tuba...

It is great to have this possibility to speak directly with you, or any other person involved in the low brass instruments making, repairing, selling etc, this way for all that wants. Now think of it, if you did this same for a Japanese, German or any other than Chinese product then I do not think there would have been any arguing about it?!
If I, like the OP did, asked about differences between two instruments I would be glad to be able to gather as much information as possible.
イースターおめでとうございます！

[Lectron]

If you're "looking at" Eb tubas, that's one thing. I hope you had a really great time, and I wish there had been more Eb tubas at TMEA for you to "look at".

If you're "shopping for" an Eb tuba, I have two here are very reasonable prices:

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=54095&p=461840

I sported one of these when our band was sponsored by Yamaha.
A really good ax at a very nice price given the mint condition

Buy it!

[iiipopes]

I'd like to hear from someone who has compared them to the St Pete rotary Eb.

[bububassboner]

I'd like to hear from someone who has compared them to the St Pete rotary Eb.

The St Pete, for me, is pretty much useless. It's a very small flimsy horn. I can't think of a place I would actually play one in public.

For the other two horns I would go with the BMB horn. Both horns are based around the same bugle, but at least the BMB horn is front action and non comp. now I think there are much better horns out there than these two but if I HAD to have one or the other I would go for the BMB.

[Lectron]

I've played the St.pete and liked it for of its qualities.
It sure die sing a heck of a lot better than the Jinbao, but
did of course lack the ability to play as loud.
Valves where good. I liked it. Had good fun with it,
but it had for my use, limited use and would not be a do it all.

I would think, not having played it, that the J345 would be the better instrument,
but if there is a St.Pete in your area...try it. You might find to like it, but with the Yamaha 632 for that same price, it really should be an easy pick

Be aware of the dreaded Bb below staff on The St.Pete, but don´t let one note ruin
the whole experiance. It' s not a do it all like The Yama, but really nice for what it is

[Bob Kolada]

I like the St Pete. It's got a very nice, even low range and a consistent sound. It plays almost like a piston horn.