Willson 3400 EEb TA-O or the 3400 TA

[MEWienand]

Does Anyone in the USA own one of these? I really want to try one. I was told it is too hard to get one sent to getzen just to try. I would have to pretty much be committed to buy one. I am a Euph/Eb tuba doubler in Brass band and I have the damndest time no matter what with the US style 5 valve configurations of tubas.
Any Help would be great.
Mark Wienand

[Peach]

My advice would be to try the good number of other makes of Comp Eb's readily available. Besson certainly has the biggest market share, with Yamaha next, then Miraphone some way back I think. After that there are all of the smaller makers and the Chinese importers.

All of the Willson tubas are amongst the best made brass instruments bar none. That said, the 3+1 Comps, in Eb/Bb have never been seen in the same numbers as their Euphs (which have never caught on in the UK really). There was a time the tubas were pushed by some retailer or other but never got much market share. I don't know why. I used to own a small model comp and it was very nice.
I suppose the worldwide market for 3+1 Comp Eb tubas is still centered around Brass Band use, and of course in the UK amongst most players. If the Willsons don't have much presence here, maybe they don't sell well anywhere?

[bort]

If the Willsons don't have much presence here, maybe they don't sell well anywhere?

Probably not. And as you mention, it's probably a matter of the market (loyalty(?) or familiarity(?) to Besson and Yamaha) and NOT a matter of quality. I don't know the exact costs of these either, but I'm pretty sure that Willson is going to be the most expensive.

That said... I've become a big Willson fan, and I hope there's one of these in the US for you to try! Buying one new wouldn't be the worst thing in the world, if you can afford it.

[MEWienand]

Thank You For your replies and support. Maybe I will find one at NABBA. I currently have the Marty Erickson model and it is a lovely super great horn. Just the dang front valves and 5 of them makes me crazy. If the TA is as good of a playing horn as the Erickson model I will trade and or buy it right there. I just cant get one to try ever.
I was blessed to be in a music program that had quality low brass instruments. As a Beginner my school Supplied a Besson English Baritone in matte Silver from the late 60s. Then Middle school moved us to Besson 967's Which carried us through HS. The Tubas were Conn 20 Js. HUGE I thought I was going to die. Thank You Ottawa IL Schools. So I had Besson my whole life and got a Willson Euph my sophomore year in College and have been hooked ever since. I got a Willson Tenor horn for my spouse to play on and it is incredible. Blew the Bessons in our band away. So that is why I am partial to Willson. Actually I think I may be too partial. I have a Willson Flugelhorn, Willson Tenor Horn, Willson Euphonium, Willson made Getzen Marketed F alto Mellophone, and my Willson 3400S Erickson Tuba. But I am a valve up guy. I must admit. Short of flying to Swizerland to try one, thought has crossed my mind many times, I was hoping not to have to do that.
Again Thank You for your comments and help so far. If anyone knows someone in the states with one and might be one at the NABBA Competition I would love to get in touch with them and see if I can toot a note or two on their horn.
Thanks So Much
Mark

[Jess Haney]

I have played the TA Willson that is not the open wrap on the third. A much older TA 3400. But overall I preferred it to the besson 982. I know someone who owns one.

[cambrook]

I had one of these many years ago, there might have been some small changes since then. There was one significant frustration for me that led me to sell it after a while - there was no easy way to play the E-natural at the bottom of the staff in tune.

It was very sharp on 1-2-3 (of course), but it was also very flat on 2-4. On sustained notes there was occasionally time to pull the 1st or 3rd slide - depending on what notes came next, but this was cumbersome and sometimes impossible without affecting the following passage.

It was replaced by a B&H Sovereign, and some years later (when I tired of the 19" bell "pillowness") I moved to the Willson 3400 FA, which was a much better horn than its TA sibling - for me.

YMMV of course, particularly if there have been changes since that time.

[MEWienand]

I think I shot myself in the foot so to say.

I would be interested in the 3400 TA and or the 3400 TA-O.
If anyone knows someone or has one themselves I would love to talk to you about it.
Thank you
Mark