Wessex Danube Eb 5v rotary - final specs ??

[marccromme]

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

Hi Jonathan - I remember that Wessex was or is working on the Danube Eb 5v rotary tuba production model these days. May I ask how the process is going, which dimensions of bell/bore did yuo decide on, etc? Will the instrument be soon on your wessex home page?

[Wyvern]

Hi Jonathan - I remember that Wessex was or is working on the Danube Eb 5v rotary tuba production model these days. May I ask how the process is going, which dimensions of bell/bore did yuo decide on, etc? Will the instrument be soon on your wessex home page?

I was awaiting putting on website until we had production version to photograph. However the Danube is now up on Wessex Tubas website (currently with photos of prototype) - and we are now taking pre-orders with 10% discount (up until April 6th).

USA - http://www.wessex-tubas.com/product/te4 ... y-eb-tuba/
UK - http://www.wessex-tubas.co.uk/product/t ... y-eb-tuba/

The first production batch (10 available) are expected June.

The bell is now 16 ½", so larger than prototype and valve bore is 0.748″-0.827″. This has given it broader tone which we hear is what most customers want.

There will be production version available to test play at;

NABBA Brass Band Championships, Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA - April, 1 & 2, 2016
Frankfurt Musikmesse (Germany), Hall 10, level 2, booth B31 - 7 to 10 April 2016
ITEC, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA - May 30 to June 4 2016

Between exhibiting there will be production Danube at both Wessex UK and USA showrooms from later this month.

[marccromme]

The Danube looks really neat, thanks for the update.

I see that Wessex enlarged the bell and bore dimensions, they seem almost identical to the Miraphone Norwegian Star now, the later having a slightly smaller bell, but slightly larger bore. Or similar to the Melton Meinl Weston 2142/5.

I am really tempted ... do you think the production model will have sufficient oomph for a Brass Band Eb bass voice, while still be good as an all-round bass tuba?

Did you have a chance to play the two different versions - brass silver plated or gold brass laquered? How do they compare?

[marccromme]

Add-on question: does the Danube play at A=443Hz ?? My brass band tunes 442Hz and is sometimes creeping up a bit ...

[Wyvern]

We do try to make all Wessex tubas able to play at 442Hz, as we sell worldwide - and that is the pitch in some countries. Where that is not possible (due to short main tuning slide), we can get made such to order. I would have to have the new Danube here to try to confirm tuning for that particular model, although mouthpiece used will also have an effect.

Once the production model is in the UK later this month I will immediately try with band, and will then be able to better say how it fits in tonally in such setting. The piston valve Gnagey Eb with similar size bell definitely works in band, so am expecting the Danube will as well - but have so far only played at factory.

The difference tonally in finishes will be very subtle. Gold brass did make a big difference before we started bell hardening, but now they are much closer. There will not be chance to play finishes side by side until first batch arrives, as one on route to UK for exhibiting is gold brass bell, while one going to USA is silver-plated.

BTW The prototype (with smaller bell) is at Wessex USA available to purchase from April for buyer looking for more direct F sounding rotary Eb.

[marccromme]

Great, Jonathan. I'd like to hear your update when you had the production model out at the band. Thanks for the info so far! MC