Wessex Tubas - what would you like?

[Wyvern]

I tried the Excelsior and it was not a good tuba.

In your opinion Other players, including some in Championship bands like it. Different people have different likes. No tuba we make is going to appeal to everyone.

[Lectron]

Different people have different likes. No tuba we make is going to appeal to everyone.

True :)

[southtubist]

What about a good small rotary F tuba?

I've played most common F tubas currently in production, and none come close to beating my old MW45k. Most are just too big and don't sound like F tubas. Most would disagree, but I think even the PT 10 is too big.

I'm thinking of a horn the size of an old Miraphone 180, maybe a little bigger like an Alex 155. Use the lightest/thinnest construction possible, with a small bell. Something with fast valves and good intonation/response. Essentially a dedicated solo rotary F tuba.

[bort]

Sounds kind of like the Cerveny 653...?

[southtubist]

Sounds kind of like the Cerveny 653...?

Possibly, although I've never played one. I'm thinking of a horn with a taller bell stack though. I think that tall "free float" bell contributes to the sound of German style tubas.

[Ken Crawford]

How about a Mahler-plus? So the Wessex Mahler, only a little larger, ala 188. Or a BBb Mahler or Mahler-plus. Or both. It's a great platform, more should be done with it.

[MN_TimTuba]

In BBb piston, whether you do a 4/4, 5/4, or that 6/4 that everyone talks about, can someone engineer a way to fully empty all valve slides at once, as on some rotary horns? The water-spin can be a real task for a big horn in a tight place, and is pretty distracting to your audience. Finally, there must be a way to incorporate a modified Amati spit valve. Maybe it's not an issue for everyone, but I seem to catch the spring-loaded levers on my horns on chairs, clothes, and what-not too often. Thank you.

[InTuneBb]

I am not sure if it has been said, apologies if so, but now that I am starting to look at the realm of travel tubas, it would be SO helpful if there was a 5 valve CC travel tuba (Or a CC version of the Bubbie 5) to work on rep like Prokofiev 5, Romeo and Juliet, Mahler 2, without having to use an alternate fingering/a fingering we wouldn't use on our actual big tubas for low F and below.

[Three Valves]

In BBb piston, whether you do a 4/4, 5/4, or that 6/4 that everyone talks about, can someone engineer a way to fully empty all valve slides at once, as on some rotary horns? The water-spin can be a real task for a big horn in a tight place, and is pretty distracting to your audience. Finally, there must be a way to incorporate a modified Amati spit valve. Maybe it's not an issue for everyone, but I seem to catch the spring-loaded levers on my horns on chairs, clothes, and what-not too often. Thank you.

I didn't realize what a big plus that was until I owned a rotary!!

[Lectron]

I tried the Excelsior and it was not a good tuba.

In your opinion :) Other players, including some in Championship bands like it.

Played Champion section up in NW regionals in winter gardens
Didn't see much to it there ;)

[Steginkt]

I'm still holding out for a 6/4 345 style CC. Wouldnt say no to a contrabass trombone. Many are too expensive for schools to justify purchasing

[Steginkt]

In BBb? Or just the one in F?

[Wyvern]

In BBb? Or just the one in F?

Both! Only the F is on website at present, but the BBb will be back up again (by popular request) in the next month.

I'm still holding out for a 6/4 345 style CC

We have something even better than that on its way shortly

[joshealejo]

In BBb? Or just the one in F?

Both! Only the F is on website at present, but the BBb will be back up again (by popular request) in the next month.

I'm still holding out for a 6/4 345 style CC

We have something even better than that on its way shortly :)

You always makig dreams true haha!!

[Heliconer]

Perhaps this is an odd one.... but any thoughts of producing anything like the Sarrusophone? Bass/contrabass?

[Wyvern]

Perhaps this is an odd one.... but any thoughts of producing anything like the Sarrusophone? Bass/contrabass?

Have considered and as quickly abandoned. Don't want Wessex to get into developing reed instruments. Better to stick with 'brass' which we understand

I can say a new model bass trombone developed with Chris Stearn of Scottish Opera is on its way. Mark 2 prototype has just been approved...and it is a good-in.

[DouglasJB]

With a 4P1R set up or 983 style compensating setup?

[DouglasJB]

That's what I ran into. Valve blocks turned like those are uncomfortable, I'd prefer the more straight up and down (Eastman/King like).

[Lectron]

I like the way the gnagey plays, but hate the ergonomics. The valve block is at a very uncomfortable position for me.

That was commented on prior production, but for some reason just not a priorety.
Straight or slanted (the other way :) ) would work much better.....like your small conn.
......that's not really that small. Compact, yes

[Wyvern]

The problem is it is very difficult to change the angle of the valve block. It means a complete re-design which in turn might cause some other adverse effect