Britsh compensating BBbs

[Jess Haney]

So I have decided to start a topic about British style compensators. I guess it stems from the new NEO BBb just released by Yamaha to compete with Besson and the like. I am curious to know if anyone has played one and their thoughts about them. Since there seems to be a researgence in the brass band world more companies are expanding to add these leviathens to their lineup. So here is what I can currently raddle off my head.

Besson 994
York Preference
London Musical Instruments Royal Bass
Miraphone Ambassidor
Willson 3100TA4 and 6400TA4
Yamaha NEO 632
Hirsbrunner's copy ?

I have a orchestral style horn and am very familiar with playing compensators (Besson 994) and wonder how these horns stack up against each other, not necissarily other non compensated BBbs. I have always wanted to try the Willson in either flavor or possibly this new NEO Yamaha with some of its new design touches for comfort. Any insight from you gents across the pond would be awesome.

[iiipopes]

Search the threads. This horse has been beat to death. I know. I used to own one. The threads reached their peak a few years ago with the transition of Besson to the Buffet-Crampon cyborg.

[AndyCat]

As a past owner or player of 992, 994, 994GS, LMI Royal, Imperial 3 and 4 valvers and a short time with a Courtois, the Neo is the best so far.

I also trialled the Miraphone and York, but am glad I waited for the Neo. Knocks the others into a cocked hat. As I'm sure the EEb Neo will too.

YMMV

[coolguy684]

How was the LMI Royal? Are they as close to the round stamp era as one can buy today?

[kathott]

Hello. I have a Besson 992 (Sovereign) BBb, using a Wick 1L. I actually wanted an Imperial, for the "old sound", but this one was a good choice. It produces a great "band sound" as opposed to a great "orchestra sound" - I would only play it in orchestra for very specific repertoire.
THE OLDE POSTURE COMPLAINT - I adapted a PEARL drum throne for use as a tuba stand, fine tuning the height by degrees, with a simple turn of the corkscrew base. This is key, allowing me to hold the instrument comfortably, even with a bad chair.
K.

[AndyCat]

How was the LMI Royal? Are they as close to the round stamp era as one can buy today?

Not really, they're based on the much later 994GS models, shorter and squatter. I'd say the Neo is closer in some ways.

[elihellsten]

Last year I played some BBb with my brass band (normally I play EEb) and I used the bands York. It's really large and for me, being 190 cm was hard to hold and play before you got used to it. I did not try a stand though. Anyhow, I think the sound I could produce was nice. It had a quite uneven scale I believe. Since slide pulling is not really an option lipping the notes worked out fine. Stuffy C and B natural (valve 4 and 4+2), but that problem is common with big compensators.

[Jess Haney]

Search the threads. This horse has been beat to death. I know. I used to own one. The threads reached their peak a few years ago with the transition of Besson to the Buffet-Crampon cyborg.

This is interesting when I searched the forum before i couldn't find any thread matching what I wanted.

But on the topic I am curious to try the new NEO. I grew up on a 994 and it is a fairly good horn with tuning and slotting. It is however as most would say "stuffy" like playing in a sock drawer. AndyCat, I am curious as to how the "stuffyness" is on this new design. Also it it taller than the new Bessons because from the Youtube video it looks rather large even though they talk about it being substantially smaller than other compinsators.

[AndyCat]

Search the threads. This horse has been beat to death. I know. I used to own one. The threads reached their peak a few years ago with the transition of Besson to the Buffet-Crampon cyborg.

This is interesting when I searched the forum before i couldn't find any thread matching what I wanted.

But on the topic I am curious to try the new NEO. I grew up on a 994 and it is a fairly good horn with tuning and slotting. It is however as most would say "stuffy" like playing in a sock drawer. AndyCat, I am curious as to how the "stuffyness" is on this new design. Also it it taller than the new Bessons because from the Youtube video it looks rather large even though they talk about it being substantially smaller than other compinsators.

It's more like the Imperial in the width of it, a little taller with a bigger bell. It's very easy to hold, although I still use a stand so that the type of chair provided isn't a problem!

It's not as stuffy as the others, and can be played in a "brass band" style or I play mine in 10 piece (CD out soon, so you can hear!) and orchestras, even quintets.

The 4th valve is easier to reach and the valve block is better placed, making it more balanced. Simon Greswell and Yamaha did a great job with the research and design, and listened to players rather than just copy a common, accepted design.

[Jess Haney]

Search the threads. This horse has been beat to death. I know. I used to own one. The threads reached their peak a few years ago with the transition of Besson to the Buffet-Crampon cyborg.

This is interesting when I searched the forum before i couldn't find any thread matching what I wanted.

But on the topic I am curious to try the new NEO. I grew up on a 994 and it is a fairly good horn with tuning and slotting. It is however as most would say "stuffy" like playing in a sock drawer. AndyCat, I am curious as to how the "stuffyness" is on this new design. Also it it taller than the new Bessons because from the Youtube video it looks rather large even though they talk about it being substantially smaller than other compinsators.

It's more like the Imperial in the width of it, a little taller with a bigger bell. It's very easy to hold, although I still use a stand so that the type of chair provided isn't a problem!

thats awesome to hear. I cant wait to get my hands on one. Good to hear that your ten piece is putting out a CD. British ten piece is thinking about doing the same. My 5 valve Willson can be a little rough to negotiate through technical low passages which makes me want a compensator at times.

It's not as stuffy as the others, and can be played in a "brass band" style or I play mine in 10 piece (CD out soon, so you can hear!) and orchestras, even quintets.

The 4th valve is easier to reach and the valve block is better placed, making it more balanced. Simon Greswell and Yamaha did a great job with the research and design, and listened to players rather than just copy a common, accepted design.

[Jess Haney]

Hey Andy,

Did they ever release the Neo Eb tuba?

[AndyCat]

Hey Andy,

Did they ever release the Neo Eb tuba?

Just about now!

http://uk.yamaha.com/en/products/musica ... mode=model