Best rotary Eb?

The bulk of the musical talk
User avatar
bort
6 valves
6 valves
Posts: 11223
Joined: Wed Sep 22, 2004 11:08 pm
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota

Re: Best rotary Eb?

Post by bort »

I know there is a MW-2040 rotary Eb, but I can't remember much about it. I think that's the model number, but you could run a search for it.
User avatar
Peach
4 valves
4 valves
Posts: 701
Joined: Thu Mar 17, 2005 8:42 am
Location: London, UK

Re: Best rotary Eb?

Post by Peach »

bort wrote:I know there is a MW-2040 rotary Eb, but I can't remember much about it. I think that's the model number, but you could run a search for it.
Yup. That's the 4v. 5v is 2040/5.
Good tubas - slightly different to the NStar.
Hirsbrunner also make (made?) a rotor Eb as that is what Oystein's earlier recordings were on.
Jonathan Hodgetts of Wessex Tubas played two Rudolf Meinl rotor Eb's a few years back and raved about, I think, the larger one.
If I were in the market I'd likely ho with either the MW or NStar...
Peach
User avatar
Peach
4 valves
4 valves
Posts: 701
Joined: Thu Mar 17, 2005 8:42 am
Location: London, UK

Re: Best rotary Eb?

Post by Peach »

I never know which tuba to "ho" for...
Peach
User avatar
Peach
4 valves
4 valves
Posts: 701
Joined: Thu Mar 17, 2005 8:42 am
Location: London, UK

Re: Best rotary Eb?

Post by Peach »

58mark wrote:
bort wrote:I know there is a MW-2040 rotary Eb, but I can't remember much about it. I think that's the model number, but you could run a search for it.
I played a 2050 last February at TMEA that I thought was the best F I ever played. . If I could get that same feel with an Eb (and with rotors) I would be in heaven
If you mean the 2250 F, that shares bells with the 2040 Eb I hear.
The sound is likely about as similar as you'll find comparing rotary Eb to piston F I'd imagine.
Peach
tubamat487
pro musician
pro musician
Posts: 27
Joined: Wed Oct 11, 2006 4:11 pm
Location: Louisville KY

Re: Best rotary Eb?

Post by tubamat487 »

I played the MW at the factory a few years ago and it had a great sound, though it was pretty stuffy in the mid/ low register. The Norwegian Stars that I've played have been head over heals better. I also preferred the sound of the Star over the Starlight which I found to just be too small to be of practical use.

My 2¢
Mat Murphy
User avatar
PaulTkachenko
3 valves
3 valves
Posts: 372
Joined: Fri Oct 17, 2008 3:34 pm
Contact:

Re: Best rotary Eb?

Post by PaulTkachenko »

N Star plays great - I flogged my starlight because I wasn't getting much use out of it, although it was a cracking tuba.

I've played the Hirsbrunner too and found it to be far less in tune than the starlight.

I've played the MW 4 valve and it was great, but I really missed the fifth valve. I see that that don't offer it anymore.
Yamahas YFB621, YBB621 & YEB 631
Conn 20K, Bubbie, Tornister & Amati Bb helicon
Perinet ophicleide, Kaiser serpent, YEP 321 Euphonium, King 3B bone, YBL612II bass bone, Meinl flugabone
Double bass, bass guitar, bass sax
User avatar
Wyvern
Wessex Tubas
Wessex Tubas
Posts: 5033
Joined: Fri Sep 01, 2006 7:00 pm
Location: Hampshire, England when not travelling around the world on Wessex business
Contact:

Re: Best rotary Eb?

Post by Wyvern »

I used to own a Meinl-Weston 2040/5. It was a nice playing tuba with good tone and intonation, but had two things I did not like. Quite difficult to hold with valve unusually high in body and no thumb ring meaning I had to always use stand. One time I did not, I bashed myself on the head with the bell when it slipped (lucky neither damaged). And also the E above the staff was very difficult to slot. To the extent that I would take another tuba if I saw that note on the music. Far from ideal for an Eb tuba.

Soon after getting the MW, I did visit Rudolf Meinl and try their Eb. I much preferred the 4/4 and would have got one of those instead if I had tried first.

I have tried the Cerveny and think that has a smallish F tuba tone. Not bad, but of more limited use.

I have tried the Noregian Star and Star Light. Both good tubas with very different tone. The NS sounds more like an Eb and would be good all purpose tuba. If more direct soloistic tuba tone is desired the Star Light is the model.

Wessex is currently developing new rotary Eb using the same bell as our Brahms F which I am aiming to have more F tone, but still be good ensemble tuba. If all works out, will be available second half 2015.
hubert
3 valves
3 valves
Posts: 352
Joined: Tue Feb 28, 2006 9:40 am
Location: Netherlands

Re: Best rotary Eb?

Post by hubert »

Willson makes 2 rotary Eb models: Eb 3400 RZ-4 and 2-465RZ-4. The second is the last developped.
Strenghts:
1.The ROTAX-rotors (improvement of sound, very high quality rotor).
2. Outstanding intonation.
3. Inpressive low register.
4. Built like a "war horse".
Hubert
User avatar
oedipoes
4 valves
4 valves
Posts: 765
Joined: Wed Mar 26, 2008 3:47 pm
Location: Belgium

Re: Best rotary Eb?

Post by oedipoes »

58mark wrote:
hubert wrote:Willson makes 2 rotary Eb models: Eb 3400 RZ-4 and 2-465RZ-4. The second is the last developped.
Strenghts:
1.The ROTAX-rotors (improvement of sound, very high quality rotor).
2. Outstanding intonation.
3. Inpressive low register.
4. Built like a "war horse".
Hubert

I saw those. . They look great, but the reason I added a 5th valve to my Conn was so I could use it for everything and have a full chromatic scale. . It's a little weird that they don't list either one of those horns as being available with a 5th valve
Although not listed in their standard price list, they ARE available with a 5th valve, just ask for it, they'll be happy to make one for you.
The same goes for extra triggers etc. I guess ...

Wim
User avatar
bort
6 valves
6 valves
Posts: 11223
Joined: Wed Sep 22, 2004 11:08 pm
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota

Re: Best rotary Eb?

Post by bort »

In my experience (music and otherwise), the phrase "happy to make one for you" also means "it'll cost you!" As with most things, you'll have to decide if it's worth it to you.
User avatar
bort
6 valves
6 valves
Posts: 11223
Joined: Wed Sep 22, 2004 11:08 pm
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota

Re: Best rotary Eb?

Post by bort »

You should talk to Bob Kolada (that's his s/n as well)... he is another excessively tall tuba player who likes Eb's. :lol:
User avatar
Kevin Hendrick
6 valves
6 valves
Posts: 3156
Joined: Sat Sep 25, 2004 10:51 pm
Location: Location: Location

Re: Best rotary Eb?

Post by Kevin Hendrick »

Neptune wrote: I have tried the Cerveny and think that has a smallish F tuba tone. Not bad, but of more limited use.
Which Cerveny did you try? There are two:
Cerveny Eb tubas - CEB 641 and CEB 651.jpg
Thank you! :tuba:
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
"Don't take life so serious, son. It ain't nohow permanent." -- Pogo (via Walt Kelly)
User avatar
Wyvern
Wessex Tubas
Wessex Tubas
Posts: 5033
Joined: Fri Sep 01, 2006 7:00 pm
Location: Hampshire, England when not travelling around the world on Wessex business
Contact:

Re: Best rotary Eb?

Post by Wyvern »

Kevin Hendrick wrote:
Neptune wrote: I have tried the Cerveny and think that has a smallish F tuba tone. Not bad, but of more limited use.
Which Cerveny did you try? There are two:
Cerveny Eb tubas - CEB 641 and CEB 651.jpg
Thank you! :tuba:
I think the 641, but it was along time ago.
Post Reply