Which mouthpiece for F-tuba ?

[marccromme]

I am about to try a couple of used F-tubas for potential purchase, and would like to have my own (used) mouthpiece for that. I am looking for 4/4 size F-tubas.

On my old Besson Eb tuba I play a DW 5 (small shank), This instrument does not allow for larger, as the high tones are considerably flat, it's an odd instrument.

I'd like to hear which inexpensive normal shank mouthpieces would make a good choice for an F-tuba beginner.

I do mainly play bass trombone, so I'd prefer for tuba a small size: an inner rim in the range of 30.0 to max 31.5 mm, I do like slim rims with a bite on the inner edge too.

Do you have any mouthpiece suggestions?

[MikeMason]

The conn helleburg 7b

[cjk]

Why not just get a better Eb tuba ?

[marccromme]

Thanks for the suggestions so far given in answers and PM's - I have some additional questions:

Bach 335 30Emouthpiece for tuba and sousaphone, cup diameter 30,00mm, medium flat, silver plated - is the rim slim and rather edgy/sharp on these??

I like the rim and feeling of my DW 5, and do I righltly assume that the DW 4 has a similar sharp rim - does the DW 4 work well for F and Eb tubas of 4/4 size ?

I have seen that the Yamaha 65 has a suitable inner rim form and diameter - do you know how it works on an 4/4 F tuba?

Laskey 28F has been proposed too - how does it compare to the Laskey 28G ??

Conn Helleberg 7B is a slightly shallower-cupped version of the original - but still medium-deep ? How does it compare to the others mentioned above?

I really appreciate your answers, which helps me narrowing down the welth of mouthpieces to a managable set to try and investigate. Thanks for the help!

Best, MC

[marccromme]

Why not just get a better Eb tuba ?

'Cause I tried 4 different Eb 4+1 compensated tubas with 19" bells and did not really like one of these.

But I liked very much the Miraphone 4/4 F 4+2 rotary valve model Elektra, just can't afford a new one. So I am looking for similar used F-tubas, and think it would be a good idea to use the same mouthpiece to compare those I can find near Copenhagen, Denmark.

[DouglasJB]

I would love to find an affordable 4+2 F tuba, I'm hoping Wessex comes out with one soon.

[bisontuba]

I would love to find an affordable 4+2 F tuba, I'm hoping Wessex comes out with one soon.

PT-16 clone:
http://www.jimlaabsmusic.com/band-orche ... 10755.html" target="_blank

But better yet, if you are going to the Army Tuba Conference or to ITEC, play the 5 rotor Wessex Berg F...great F tuba...

Mark

[DouglasJB]

I've been emailing them without much success, though they have told me its .748-.826" bore which does make it a PT16 clone. I'm just not really sure about Schiller yet. I am confident with Wessex and Jonathan’s judgment to refuse to sell a horn that is not up to standard. I have been in contact with him and the Wessex 6 valve F prototype was sent back to be reworked when it did not play as well as the 5 valve version (Strauss), this was several months ago though. I will be attending ITEC and want to try the Berg, I love my Strauss and it does most of what I need but the low register still requires work and slide pulling, I have always wanted a 6 valve horn though but I’ve been waiting for something reliable and affordable for a college student.

[Wyvern]

If you want Eb with more F tuba like tone, then the new Wessex Danube is the tuba for you.

Will be out in May, but prototype is in our showroom to try now. Will also be at Frankfurt Muskmesse in April.

Also comes with very nice suitable F tuba like mouthpiece

[bort]

...Wessex Danube...

Why Danube and not Glåma?

[Wyvern]

...Wessex Danube...

Why Danube and not Glåma?

It is not a clone of Norwegian Star, but our own design. All the dimensions are different - so no reason to associate with Norway.

[bort]

Ah. It seemed to share quite a few similarities. My bad. Are there a lot of Eb players in the land of the Danube?

[Wyvern]

Ah. It seemed to share quite a few similarities. My bad. Are there a lot of Eb players in the land of the Danube?

That is a pretty standard layout for rotary Eb tuba. I had 60+ year old Swiss Haag Eb with much that same layout. Danube is just a name that hopefully people can say and remember - it has no hidden meaning

[marccromme]

If you want Eb with more F tuba like tone, then the new Wessex Danube is the tuba for you.

Thanks for the info, Jonathan. I have to come to London or Frankfurt to try your instruments, both the Danube, the Berg and the Contrabass trombone.

But this was originally a thread on cheap but ok F-tuba mouthpieces in a range of 30 to 30.5 mmm with well-defined inner edge ... should we try to go back to this theme? How is the Wessex F or Eb mouthpiece compared to those mentioned above?

[rudysan]

I think you can just stay with your Denis Wick 5L, especially if you want a small diameter. You can also try the Denis Wick 3SL, with a shallow cup and an inside rim diameter of 31.25mm. http://www.deniswick.com/all-products/i ... nly/ths3sl" target="_blank

[besson900]

I would love to find an affordable 4+2 F tuba, I'm hoping Wessex comes out with one soon.

I don't understand why many of You are saying that wessex or Jinbao or other similar companys are producing good tubas in this price range.This kind of instruments are good just in 1st or max 2nd year of playing,after this valves are noisyer than tuba and working fast like snile.You can't buy good NEW instrument under price range like Cerveny

About mp:I have Canadian Brass mb64 and Romera brass segio carolino signature and both of them are great but MB64 is more useful in orchestras or bands

[bisontuba]

I would love to find an affordable 4+2 F tuba, I'm hoping Wessex comes out with one soon.

I don't understand why many of You are saying that wessex or Jinbao or other similar companys are producing good tubas in this price range.

Because they are!! JinBao -Wessex, MACK, Dillon, JZ, etc., BMB, Packer, Wisemann, Eastman, etc. do produce very good tubas, and are improving all the time....

[Wyvern]

I think what is so often forgotten regarding Chinese made tubas is how fast things are moving on. When I first started selling Wessex almost 5 years ago, poor finish and rough noisy valves were all too common. However over that period things have moved on so fast that the tubas now coming out are unrecognisable as coming from the same factory. As it is well known, I go to the Jinbao factory every 3 months (I am there now) and carefully check and play test every single horn before accepting, as well as having meetings with the Production Manager to discuss any quality issues and new model developments. I have now been doing that for the last 18 months. In that time there has been very little change in the mostly young workforce. They have learnt by their mistakes and numerous comments we have given to improve what they do in every respect. The finish is considerably better, but so is the craftsmanship in manufacturing. Where once a pipe would have been bent oval to fit, that tuba is now rejected. I have honestly not come across one noisy valve or poor valve thread and the materials and process of construction is exactly the same as expensive German tubas as far as I can see. One slightly slow valve is quickly taken away and lapped to our satisfaction. The slides are aligned and the once rough edges are now smooth. They still make mistakes (like most recently spotted miss-numbered valves on a cimbasso), and there is still room for improvement - but every aspect where there are problems or complaints, corrective action is being taken. I have little doubt that like Yamaha rose in the past, over the next 5 years Jinbao (working with Wessex and others) will become one of the best brass factories in the world. They certainly have the equipment, enthusiasm and commitment!

[marccromme]

It is really amazing how far you guys can take a thread on F-tuba mouthpieces. Well, I'd apprecieate if threads where not hijacked, but since this one now is, I have to speak up against Wessex trashing.

I have dealt with Wessex before, and are owning an euph and a bass trombone from them, the euph I got used. Both are well-playing instruments, both have well-functioning valves and a good slide, and both have small quirks as every other instrument has. They serve me well, and I am perfectly happy with them. And they play considerably better than any other instrument for the same price, and even better than quite some other instruments of the double or triple price.

In addition, the Wessex service is superb, I had one complaint with the bass trombone where plating on one part was too thin. This complain had been taken seriously and had been dealt with to my full satisfaction. I will not hesitate to buy another instrument from Wessex, and see forward to try the coming Eb 5+0 rotary tuba.

[marccromme]

I think you can just stay with your Denis Wick 5L, especially if you want a small diameter. You can also try the Denis Wick 3SL, with a shallow cup and an inside rim diameter of 31.25mm. http://www.deniswick.com/all-products/i ... nly/ths3sl" target="_blank" target="_blank

Hi Rudy - great idea with the DW 3SL - I'll check that one out. Thanks! MC