First impressions on my new Wessex BBb Tornister Travel tuba

[Tuba Guy]

I've had the Tornister for a little while at this point and love it. Used it in a Mardi Gras parade yesterday with 3 "real" tubas and it gave a terrific timbral contrast.

I saw you in a video from that parade - just a quick frame or two. It was on Facebook but I cannot find it again. (if I do I will edit this post and pop in the URL.)

Making the horn a Bell Front marching horn would be tricky, the rotor linkage could be simpler at 90° but the lead pipe length might be an issue.

(BTW, this is an "All Ages" list - somebody might complain about word usage )

Hi Mr. Richoux,
Here is that video (took a while to find again) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrvzZ-toRJo . You can first see it around 0:40 and again from about 1:30. I am standing between the blue and white sousaphones. I don't know if my sound is actually as bright as it comes across here (or if I'm just aimed at the microphone) but that is a nice blend with a couple of the big horns.
Since then, I've used it a few times for rehearsals (so nice to be able to stand), sitting in front of the tv (Simpsons+tuba is how the show was meant to be enjoyed), and hanging out with trombone friends (yes. friends who play trombone)

[Tubacube]

Tornister tuba at Jazz Bash by the Bay Monterey Ca
http://youtu.be/rHdX2Rzrvpo" target="_blank

[Tubacube]

Best heard with headphones or amplified speakers!

[David Richoux]

Tornister tuba at Jazz Bash by the Bay Monterey Ca
http://youtu.be/rHdX2Rzrvpo" target="_blank" target="_blank

How was the mic set up? Can't quite see if it was a clip-on or what.

[Tubacube]

Clip on condenser mic purchased at guitar showcase, mounted on a lyre. It is a flexible gooseneck intended for tenor sax. It will also clip on the bell, but I find a better angle mounted on the lyre!

[Tubacube]

You can hear the tornister better on this tune! http://youtu.be/7Ljujeh42pM" target="_blank

[Tubacube]

FYI I am flying to Chile with it, one of the aircraft is a Bombadiar CRJ, I'll let you know if the little squirt fits in the overhead! Wish me luck! Shameless plug: I am performing on the MS Zaandam with the High Sierra Jazz Band, and I am using the tornister for the 9:00 AM jams sets for passengers that bring their horns!

[Tubacube]

One nice thing going for me is that my wife is a "towering" 4 ft 9", and is willing to have the tornister under the seat in front of her!

[Tubacube]

Here is a cut of the tornister playing on a slowe ballade, note you can see the mic mount on the lyre! This little horn can sound pretty too, just lay back and play easy. http://youtu.be/al4kVT5wPeE" target="_blank

[Tubacube]

I am happy to report from LAX that my tornister made it on a Bombadiar CRJ from San Jose to LAX . One qualification , we had a very kind stewardess let us put the tuba under the seat in front of us! In the event we don't get the same kind stewardess on the way back, our plan B is to put the empty gig bag overhead and put the tornister under the seat in front. Bear in mind I am using a reunion blues euphonium gig bag which is larger, while I am waiting on the Wessex bag coming in May. Next leg LAX to Santiago Chile, wish me luck!

[Dan Schultz]

Here is a cut of the tornister playing on a slowe ballade, note you can see the mic mount on the lyre! This little horn can sound pretty too, just lay back and play easy. http://youtu.be/al4kVT5wPeE" target="_blank" target="_blank

Well, damn! I guess I need to quit referring to those things and 'children's instruments' and go ahead and buy one. Sounds good. Well done.

[Pat S]

Here is a cut of the tornister playing on a slowe ballade, note you can see the mic mount on the lyre! This little horn can sound pretty too, just lay back and play easy. http://youtu.be/al4kVT5wPeE" target="_blank" target="_blank

Kudos to the tuba, but an additional tip of the hat to the baritone player. That's not an instrument we see very often fronting a band. Well played!

[Tubacube]

That's my nephew Brandon Au on English Baritone!

[Tuba Guy]

Out of curiousity, are those Brandon and his brother on bone and trumpet the same guys who play with the Element Brass Band up in Sacramento?

[Pat S]

That's my nephew Brandon Au on English Baritone!

Talent must run in the family...

[ralphbsz]

Cool jazz, cool horn, cool playing. Very nice.

[Tubacube]

Yes Brandon and Justin also play with the Element Brass Band!
Happy to say that air travel with the tornister was a success ! No problem with a 767, plenty of room in the overhead for both a trombone and the tornister!
Some observations: in a heavily carpeted and curtained room it can be hard to hear acoustically played, but the condenser mic works very well to counter the situation!
Gotta go play a set on the MS Maasdam, more later, and thanks for the kind words everyone!

[Tubacube]

6ft swells at sea today, good thing I am playing the tornister , would have fallen forward with a full size horn!

[Wyvern]

For those interested (I know not everyone reads the Sponsors pages), we are now taking orders for the new CC version, http://www.wessex-tubas.com/cc-travel-tuba/

[Tubacube]

I'm in Porte Madrid Argentina playing the tornister this morning, nice little workhorse tuba!