want input on rotary valve Eb tubas

[barry grrr-ero]

I'm interested in the M-W 2141 rotary Eb, but some say that those tubas have intonation issues. I'm interested in something a little 'beefier' than the Miraphone rotary Eb tubas. I tried a 2141 in pistons, but I just couldn't deal with the large valve set - killed my hand and fingers.

Does the PT Eb come in rotary? Thanks in advance.

Barry Guerrero

[Phil Dawson]

Besson 983?

[Bob Kolada]

The St Pete Eb is a hoss- big sound, solid low register, super easy to play.

[swillafew]

Only one I played was a Norwegian Star. It is on my short list of horns I would like to own.

[barry grrr-ero]

Phil, I owned a Besson 983, and it simply one of the greatest tubas I've ever played. But my 60 year old hand just can't deal with those long pistons these days. Musically I prefer pistons, but rotary valves are just more practical for me.

At the moment I'm borrowing a St. Pete' BBb tuba, and it is among the worst tubas I've ever played! That sort of makes me afraid of St. Petersburg as a brand, so do tell me more. My rotary Neptune is getting worked on.

Is this the St. Pete you're talking about?

http://www.tubaexchange.com/st-petersbu ... rsburg-206" target="_blank

[barry grrr-ero]

OK. Thanks. I did see Baadsvik two years ago, and I have a feeling he must have been using the smaller Miraphone Eb (Starlight?). I see that the Horn Guys carries the Norwegian Star, and they're only 400 miles south of here (and with good weather).

I looked through that older thread. As to be expected, there are a lot of differing opinions. Just based on the limited experience I've had, I'm afraid to touch St. Petersburg as a brand unless somebody can 'set me straight' on that issue.

Looks like the Norwegian Star might be the most practical and accessible route to take. Then again, I tried a 291 Bruckner CC and wasn't really taken with that horn at all (like some, I think the BBb version is better). Norwegian Star might be a good complement to my rotary Neptune (which I'm learning to love). If $$$ were no issue at all, I'd get a Siegfried!

Barry - stickin' to rotors now - Guerrero

[barry grrr-ero]

Oh, cool. I'll wait to see what Wessex comes out with. Thanks.

[barry grrr-ero]

Really? What do you think, for the better or for the worse? They're consistently great horns. Have you picked up a Siegfried yet? (!).

Barry

[bort]

Willson makes a couple of Eb rotary tubas. I'm sure they're extremely rare here in the US, but the *do* exist.

[barry grrr-ero]

Thanks Bort. I briefly owned a Wilson Eb, but traded it for the 983. I seriously couldn't depress all five valves at the same time on the Wilson. It also had a completely different feel, sound and intonation to the low, middle and high registers - just the opposite what a 983 is like (seamless from bottom to top). The leader pipe pointed straight at my forehead. The thumb trigger was completely uncomfortable to use. In short, I hated it. I would had to have about a thousand dollars work done on it to make it work for me.

[tclements]

My 2260RA F is built on the MW E-flat frame. Come over and play it any time.

[barry grrr-ero]

Thanks Tony. The rotary Neptune is working out pretty well for me, so far.

[highsierra]

Hey Barry,

I play a NS....Come up and play it any time.....

[barry grrr-ero]

Russ, great to hear from you. Last time I saw you, we went down to Fremont to hear Pat Sheridan play with the Ohlone College band (and Tony conducted [he's good!]). Yeah, maybe I'll make a run up your way in the Spring, after El Nino (lol). I have a half-brother and half-sister in Chico, so I could just make big circle. I'd love to toot on your Nor' Star.

I'm livin' large in Santa Cruz, playing in a community band that's directed by a real nice tuba player named John Thomas. He's got a repair shop on the west side of Santa Cruz, right across the street from where my dad had his construction biz for several decades. John does repairs for ALL the school districts around Monterey Bay. He's a pretty darn good director too. I might join the Cabrillo College band on Tuesday nights. Like me, John loves the Besson 983. But I need rotors these days. If I were younger, I'd buy a hat and outfit; form a tuba-centric Mexican banda, and try to get some gigs around Watsonville and down the Salinas Valley. Seriously - I'd love to do that. Dixieland is all but gone from the Monterey Bay. Not much call for Bavarian music here either, but I still do the big S.F. Oktoberfest. Hope you're doin' well. Watch out for that yellow snow in Reno.

Barry

[oedipoes]

Another vote for the Norwegian Star!!
Very nice sound (big enough for me with appropriate mouthpiece)
Best valves ever !

[bort]

Thanks Bort. I briefly owned a Wilson Eb, but traded it for the 983. I seriously couldn't depress all five valves at the same time on the Wilson. It also had a completely different feel, sound and intonation to the low, middle and high registers - just the opposite what a 983 is like (seamless from bottom to top). The leader pipe pointed straight at my forehead. The thumb trigger was completely uncomfortable to use. In short, I hated it. I would had to have about a thousand dollars work done on it to make it work for me.

Fair enough! I will say though, that at least for the 3050 CC, the piston and rotary versions are quite different from each other, where the rotary is more responsive and "normal" than the piston. That won't help a leadpipe in the forehead, though.

Frankentuba question -- has anyone seen an old piston American Eb tuba retrofitted with a rotary valve set? Might be an interesting experiment.

[Wyvern]

I was told the new wessex will be in between the size of the starlight and the Norwegian star. I wish it was as big as the norStar, but it still looks like an interesting choice regardless

The new Wessex will be similar size as Norwegian Star, but slightly smaller bore (it actually uses valve block from Strauss F tuba). We wanted it to have more of an F tuba tone.

However with deep mouthpiece it does also work well with band. I have tried out with band and orchestra.

[Wyvern]

Don't think it has small sound. With deep mouthpiece (actually Wessex Chief) I recently played Wagner Siegfried using this tuba and the tone and presence was commended.

[bort]

It's a shame that Kanstul won't make rotary tubas.

[Wyvern]

Mark, The New front piston Gnagey Eb may be more what you are looking?

I am sure Wessex will visit Texas some time...