When is a tuba considered Large?

[Jerryleejr]

Had a discussion with another member about adding another horn to my collection. He thought that since my 289 wasn't a large BBb there would be to much overlap with the Eb horns I was looking at. So that begs the question with manufacturers definition of 4/4 5/4 6/4 etc being so subjective what defines a large BBb? My 289 is listed as a 5/4 horn (probably on the small side of that definition) But I didn't buy it with the intent of using it as a BAT. I wanted something that could be used in small groups less than 10 and larger groups of less than 100. Same for the Eb's Im looking at. I don't believe there is any combination of tubas that wouldn't have some overlap...
Im adding the exact quote for context. "Your BBb isn't a huge horn, A large Eb may start covering more of what your BBb is doing."
Which could be a possibility just trying to get a better understanding....
JJ

[MaryAnn]

Old gals, too.

[Jerryleejr]

Old guys - with weight problems, joint problems, respiratory problems, or a combination - seem to define "large" as "don't want to carry it from the car to the venue anymore".

bloke "Tubas are large, and the vast majority weigh between 20 and 30 lbs."

As usual Joe you don't disappoint but physical size aside, How about sound....

[iiipopes]

What bloke said. My "Bessophone" sounds large, and yes, as I get older, it sometimes is a pain to carry. But tuba is my chosen instrument. Had I not wanted to carry around the heavy metal, I never would have switched from trumpet to souzy as a freshman in high school.

[Jerryleejr]

Perhaps focus on benefits instead of size. An eb bass tuba to me is for higher playing. A BBb contrabass tuba is for lower. Different lengths of pipe.

Right tool for the job as the old tubenet saying goes.

Which was my thinking, I just thought it was odd that my BBb wasn't considered a large horn.

JJ

[ken k]

I have a Miraphone 187 which I would imagine is similar to your 289.
I also have a Norwegian Star Eb. There is not much overlap in tone between those two.
The NS is very focused and clear.
While the 187 has fairly focused sound for a BBb, it is still has a much broader tone than my NS, especially in the lower register, say from low Bb and down. Also, I usually use a deeper mouthpiece with the 187, which also helps broaden the tone even more.
I used to play a Boosey and Hawkes Imperial Eb with the 19" bell before getting the NS. That horn had a broader tone than the NS. I would place it's tone in between my two Miraphones. Consequently the Imperial would have had more overlap in tone compared to the two Miraphones.
For close to 30 years the B&H was my only horn and I feel it was very good all-around, do-anything kind of horn. However due to playing in a British-style brass band, I wanted my Eb to have more focus and clarity, which is why I switched to the NS. But I still wanted a broader style horn for the band and orchestra I occasionally do, which is why I got the 187.

So yes some Eb tubas can have a bigger, broader tone similar to a BBb of CC, but yet there are many smaller Ebs which will give much more focused sound. Also when you get down well below the staff, the tone of a BBb will be much bigger than most Ebs.

Some of the bigger sounding Ebs I think would be the B&H Imperials and Besson 981 (with the 19"bells), MW 2141, the big Willson (not sure of the model number), Yamaha 632 Neo, Miraphone Ambassador. While some of the more focused sounding horns might be the Miraphone Norwegian Star and Star Light, Besson 983, and the smaller belled Boosey and Bessons with the 15" bells, the Yamaha 321.
If you really want to differentiate your sounds you could look into getting an F tuba.
ken k

[ken k]

Perhaps focus on benefits instead of size. An eb bass tuba to me is for higher playing. A BBb contrabass tuba is for lower. Different lengths of pipe.

Right tool for the job as the old tubenet saying goes.

Which was my thinking, I just thought it was odd that my BBb wasn't considered a large horn.

JJ

I would disagree and say it is a large tuba. Is it a BAT, or a Kaiser, no, but definitely a large horn. And I would say, as Bloke said in his post, large enough to get the job done.

kk

[Jerryleejr]

Perhaps focus on benefits instead of size. An eb bass tuba to me is for higher playing. A BBb contrabass tuba is for lower. Different lengths of pipe.

Right tool for the job as the old tubenet saying goes.

Which was my thinking, I just thought it was odd that my BBb wasn't considered a large horn.

JJ

I would disagree and say it is a large tuba. Is it a BAT, or a Kaiser, no, but definitely a large horn. And I would say, as Bloke said in his post, large enough to get the job done.

kk

I love my 289 the 187 was on my shortlist as well. And yes for me it gets the job done. Im looking at a smaller Eb just mix things up and do some more solo/small ensemble stuff...

JJ

[tclements]

Anything over 4/4 ...

[iiipopes]

Perhaps focus on benefits instead of size....

Yes. I have had uncountable more gigs as a tuba/bass guitar/jazz double bass player over the last 40 years than I ever would have had as a trumpet/lead guitar/singer or player/singer. My first paying bass gig was for a swing ensemble needing a bass player sub when I was in college in 1981, and I never looked back. I have been filing a Schedule C and SE for many years, especially the last decade, since then.

[bort]

Large tubas have BMI > 25