Need the Perfect Tuba (of Course) for Studio Work

[Rivercity Tuba]

sliphorn wrote:
Also, I can't help but wonder why the Wessex clones are around $1000 more than the Mack ones. Insight?

Neptune responded:
Chinese made brass, even if made in the same factory are not all made to the same standards. The Wessex are made with greater care using higher quality components including gold brass bell and leadpipe. Plus are made under strict quality controls including Wessex musicians from the UK or USA inspecting and play testing every one at factory against tuner before accepting (and reject any not up to standard). That all costs more to guarantee every Wessex being a quality and great playing tuba.

The above post is very disturbing! I would tread lightly Neptune, you don't know what Tom does to his horns and what he accepts and rejects in addition Tom is a fine musician who is a very capable judge of instruments. Tom is as honest as the day is long and yes, very competitive. You may be in danger of damaging your reputation if you have not already.

[Dan Tuba]

sliphorn wrote:
Also, I can't help but wonder why the Wessex clones are around $1000 more than the Mack ones. Insight?

Neptune responded:
Chinese made brass, even if made in the same factory are not all made to the same standards. The Wessex are made with greater care using higher quality components including gold brass bell and leadpipe. Plus are made under strict quality controls including Wessex musicians from the UK or USA inspecting and play testing every one at factory against tuner before accepting (and reject any not up to standard). That all costs more to guarantee every Wessex being a quality and great playing tuba.

I purchased a Mack Brass 200S last February. Tom McGrady scheduled a time that was convenient with my work schedule to try the tuba out to see if it worked for me. Upon arriving to his home, I made my way into a room where he had the tuba ready to go(excellent playimg comdition)along with a chair, stand, bordgoni book, and a tuner. Tom left me alone to try the tuba out for about 20 minutes and then he came in and had me play some long tones with the tuner, and then some etudes. An hour later, Tom asked me what I thought, and I said I was very impressed with the tuba. Tom said he thought the tuba would work well for me. I have been very happy with the tuba.

[boobentuben]

sliphorn wrote:
Also, I can't help but wonder why the Wessex clones are around $1000 more than the Mack ones. Insight?

Neptune responded:
Chinese made brass, even if made in the same factory are not all made to the same standards. The Wessex are made with greater care using higher quality components including gold brass bell and leadpipe. Plus are made under strict quality controls including Wessex musicians from the UK or USA inspecting and play testing every one at factory against tuner before accepting (and reject any not up to standard). That all costs more to guarantee every Wessex being a quality and great playing tuba.

The above post is very disturbing! I would tread lightly Neptune, you don't know what Tom does to his horns and what he accepts and rejects in addition Tom is a fine musician who is a very capable judge of instruments. Tom is as honest as the day is long and yes, very competitive. You may be in danger of damaging your reputation if you have not already.

disturbing - your inability to comprehend - neptune named nobody - just pointed out what his instruments have done to them in response to query as to reasons for higher price - damaged reputation is only yours

[Wyvern]

The above post is very disturbing! I would tread lightly Neptune, you don't know what Tom does to his horns and what he accepts and rejects in addition Tom is a fine musician who is a very capable judge of instruments. Tom is as honest as the day is long and yes, very competitive. You may be in danger of damaging your reputation if you have not already.

All I was doing was explaining reason for price differences in response to valid question. I have not said a word against Tom or Mack Brass. He is a great musician and personal friend - and his company provides good service, but just using different business model to Wessex (which is neither right, nor wrong - just different).

As far as I know Wessex is the only company that play tests and checks everything at factory before accepting - and works closely with factory production to improve standards and develop new models. Wessex aims to keep prices reasonable, but quality, enhancements and development take precedence over selling at the lowest price.

[Rivercity Tuba]

sliphorn wrote:
Also, I can't help but wonder why the Wessex clones are around $1000 more than the Mack ones. Insight?


Neptune responded:
Chinese made brass, even if made in the same factory are not all made to the same standards. The Wessex are made with greater care using higher quality components including gold brass bell and leadpipe. Plus are made under strict quality controls including Wessex musicians from the UK or USA inspecting and play testing every one at factory against tuner before accepting (and reject any not up to standard). That all costs more to guarantee every Wessex being a quality and great playing tuba.


The above post is very disturbing! I would tread lightly Neptune, you don't know what Tom does to his horns and what he accepts and rejects in addition Tom is a fine musician who is a very capable judge of instruments. Tom is as honest as the day is long and yes, very competitive. You may be in danger of damaging your reputation if you have not already.


disturbing - your inability to comprehend - neptune named nobody - just pointed out what his instruments have done to them in response to query as to reasons for higher price - damaged reputation is only yours

By using Sliphorn's quote with Mack brass in it Neptune did in fact direct his response towards Mack brass. I am done with this thread, everyone have a great day!

[Three Valves]

There is only one model BBb tuba I can find on both sites that are comparable.

You simply can not buy a Midget or Luzern from Mack Brass.

The Kaiser at Wessex is 2700.00

The TU210 at Mack is 1795.00

The man told you why his is more having been asked to do so, it is not an insult to anyone.

SHEESH!!

[Three Valves]

Yes, the Mack TU 410 is 1,875.00

The Wessex "Mahler" is 2,750.00

[sliphorn]

Sorry to beat a dead horse, and it's not a troll question (so please no trollish answers) but what do you feel about pistons vs. rotors for studio work in terms of facility, clarity of sound, and cleanliness of articulations, etc.? I know there is no right answer, but I'm looking for some reasonable opinions.

[MartyNeilan]

I know some guys that us the "little" Conn 3J. With the right mic, it's awesome.

+1 for the King BBb.

Ditto. The older "3/4" Conn tubas record very well and are about as compact as you can get and still sound like a real tuba. The King 2341 is also an excellent choice. Both are widely available used in various conditions. A good Cerveny "piggy" might be another option.
Get an older horn that is well taken care of or has been overhauled within the past decade and you will not be disappointed.

[sliphorn]

Sorry to beat a dead horse, and it's not a troll question (so please no trollish answers) but what do you feel about pistons vs. rotors for studio work in terms of facility, clarity of sound, and cleanliness of articulations, etc.? I know there is no right answer, but I'm looking for some reasonable opinions.

What sort of "studio work" (styles) will you be doing?

seriously, though...
When you walk into some tuba conference, it's very reminiscent of the cantina scene in the old Star Wars movie.
There are so many shapes/sizes/styles of tubas (all used for all sorts of styles of playing) that it's downright comical...
...It's not like a trombone shindig where there are
- jazz trombones
- medium large F attachment trombones
- large F attachment trombones
- bass trombones
...and all that really varies is the types of valves and the types of metals.

Again, its FAR more like this:

Styles, any and all. I'm mostly a jazz player but want to be prepared for any situation. Thanks to all for the advice, ideas, and contributions.

[Doug Elliott]

Sliphorn is not a "trombone player looking to double on tuba," he's actually played tenor trombone, bass trombone, tuba, and many other instruments for as long as I've known him, which is 20+ years now. I think he's really just looking for opinions on what to buy for a good versatile tuba.

[sliphorn]

Sliphorn is not a "trombone player looking to double on tuba," he's actually played tenor trombone, bass trombone, tuba, and many other instruments for as long as I've known him, which is 20+ years now. I think he's really just looking for opinions on what to buy for a good versatile tuba.

Why, hello, Doug. I didn't know I'd find you here. Nice picture, by the way.

Doug's right...and believe it or not, I played tuba before trombone, so I'm very comfortable on it. That being said, I really appreciate all the contributors to the thread. I like the idea of the Eb tuba, especially considering my space limitations. I don't mind working out reading with a Eb tuba. Like I said, I don't care what key it's in from a personal perspective, only a musical/sound one. If it records well, I'm in.

[sliphorn]

Sliphorn is not a "trombone player looking to double on tuba," he's actually played tenor trombone, bass trombone, tuba, and many other instruments for as long as I've known him, which is 20+ years now. I think he's really just looking for opinions on what to buy for a good versatile tuba.

very good to know...
The advice, probably, still remains the same.
A carefully-chosen 3+1 comp. Eb tuba will play nearly as well in-tune as the King 2341 BBb tubas, and a 3+1 comp. Eb may offer a player a bit more security around the upper lines of and above the staff.
Any "shoot the middle" instrument (of any type) is going to...well...shoot the middle.

I could - as an analogous example - suggest that a .525" bore F-attachment trombone could (with movement from something approximating a 52E2 small shank mouthpiece...to something approximating a 51 small shank mouthpiece...to something approximating a 6-1/2AL small shank mouthpiece...to something approximating a 12C small shank mouthpiece) cover any of the four trombone parts in a "big band"...but suggesting this to most knowledgeable trombone players (though somewhat true, and as they would be thinking of such better choices for each of those specific applications) would probably make them grimace.

bloke "with the google ad (near the top of page, but below the TubeNet sponsor ad) prompted by this series of posts being this...

click.gif

I forgot to ask...Can anyone point me at one of these Eb stencils? And of what is it a stencil? I'm familiar with compensating systems...my Willson 2900S euph is set up that way. I must say it's very nice.

Anyway, a link would be super helpful. I'll take a look at Mack now. Thanks again.

[Doug Elliott]

I could - as an analogous example - suggest that a .525" bore F-attachment trombone could (with movement from something approximating a 52E2 small shank mouthpiece...to something approximating a 51 small shank mouthpiece...to something approximating a 6-1/2AL small shank mouthpiece...to something approximating a 12C small shank mouthpiece) cover any of the four trombone parts in a "big band"...but suggesting this to most knowledgeable trombone players (though somewhat true, and as they would be thinking of such better choices for each of those specific applications) would probably make them grimace.

Actually I like that idea (except for the mouthpieces) - a lot more than the too-often used .547's in high school jazz bands, that make no sense at all, sounding like a herd of elephants.

A stencil is an instrument that has a name on it other than the factory that produced it. At one time, usually halfway decent or better European instruments sold by US dealers under their own name. Now usually Chinese crap or better with European-sounding names.

[sliphorn]

I could - as an analogous example - suggest that a .525" bore F-attachment trombone could (with movement from something approximating a 52E2 small shank mouthpiece...to something approximating a 51 small shank mouthpiece...to something approximating a 6-1/2AL small shank mouthpiece...to something approximating a 12C small shank mouthpiece) cover any of the four trombone parts in a "big band"...but suggesting this to most knowledgeable trombone players (though somewhat true, and as they would be thinking of such better choices for each of those specific applications) would probably make them grimace.

Actually I like that idea (except for the mouthpieces) - a lot more than the too-often used .547's in high school jazz bands, that make no sense at all, sounding like a herd of elephants.

A stencil is an instrument that has a name on it other than the factory that produced it. At one time, usually halfway decent or better European instruments sold by US dealers under their own name. Now usually Chinese crap or better with European-sounding names.

I know what a stencil is, but I'm wondering what the subject of the stencil is, like the Jinbao alto trombones are stencils of the K&H Slokars. I'm not as versed on tuba models, so I'm wondering what the Eb stencils being referred to are based on. I probably wasn't clear. Definitely looking forward to seeing the tuba.

[tubacorbin]

Was browsing and ran into some neat instruments for sale through Dana Hofer. A King 2341 BBb with an optional recording bell and a 5 valve Yahama Eb YEB-381. Both could be good options and are worth a phone call to Dana IMO.

http://www.danahoferbrassrepair.com/links.htm" target="_blank

[sliphorn]

Great info, Bloke. I appreciate it. I'm very interested in that Eb. I found that JP and the Wessex equivalent.

Since this thread has become a bit of a two-poster dialogue, I want to encourage any other posters to tell me what their opinion is of the Eb for recording. I'm getting closer to understanding the various components of the problem.

Thanks, all!

[sliphorn]

Was browsing and ran into some neat instruments for sale through Dana Hofer. A King 2341 BBb with an optional recording bell and a 5 valve Yahama Eb YEB-381. Both could be good options and are worth a phone call to Dana IMO.

http://www.danahoferbrassrepair.com/links.htm" target="_blank" target="_blank

Oh wow. I played one of these in high school! Blast from the past.

Thanks for the link!