Wessex ‘Luzern’ and really sharp Bb

[Kingpin094]

Just recently purchased a Wessex ‘Luzern’ and am having a really hard time getting the Bb below the scale in tune. By out of tune it is almost playing like a slightly flat B natural. I should preface this by saying that I am just getting back into playing tuba after 20 years. I spent 40-50hrs over the last 6 weeks using a Cerveny 686 that I borrowed from the local college. They needed it back at the end of the summer. The Wessex ‘Luzern’ seamed to check all the boxes that I was looking for in an instrument. Anyone have any thoughts or experience with this?

[Davidus1]

I hope the horn works out for you. I agree with Mark's comments. I would definitely try to have an experienced player play the horn to see if the intonation issues are real or if they are just a by product of your new return to playing. I had taken a few years off playing when I returned to playing tuba in 2015 and it took me a while to get back into shape. Lots of long tones! I wish you well and don't get discouraged.

[Three Valves]

If you pull the MTS to make the low BBb in tune, what happens to the higher BBb and F and D??

[Kingpin094]

Right know I am playing with the slide about 80% out to get the higher notes in check. There is not enough slide to get the BBb in tune. The more I play it the more I can get the low BBb better but it is really a lip workout to get it down. Just with lips I can get it down to 25 to 30 cents sharp.

[Donn]

Presumably, no such problem on the Cerveny? ... and not just because maybe the slides are longer?

[Kingpin094]

Presumably, no such problem on the Cerveny? ... and not just because maybe the slides are longer?

I did not have the same issues with the lower register on the Cerveny. Was ok for the most part with the slide about halfway out.

[Kingpin094]

did you buy this horn new?

I did buy it new. Only had it for a few days. Played 4 or 5 hours on it and the low register has not improved. Have started the process of contacting Wesex.

[Kingpin094]

The luzern is an old model. If it was used, it could be way out of warranty. glad to hear it's new, and if it's determined there's a problem with it, Wessex will take care of it

He really needs to find someone else to look over the horn locally though. Kingpin, where are you located?

Mr. Finley, I am from Northwest Florida. I am going to contact the local shop to see if they can take it for a spin. Unfortunately I don't know that many musicians at the moment as I am just getting back into playing.

[Kingpin094]

I live in Pensacola so not to far up the road. I work with a gentleman that plays but he is out of the office for a few weeks.

[bigboymusic]

Ok, I'm not sure the family tree of the Luzern, but it looks remarkably like a 5V version of the standard Chinese Hirsbrunner copy. If that is the case, I have played a number of the 4V versions where the students playing them had the same issue. The low Bb was extremely sharp. As a 'seasoned' player, I was able to get the note to work, but it was not pleasant... I know that Mack had the longer tuning slide for awhile for the 210, but not sure if that was the problem they were fixing????

[Dan Tuba]

I didn't have this problem with the Luzern that I recently sold. I thought that the tuba had overall good intonation. The pitch was pretty much where you placed it, with plenty of slide to adjust to A440 without making the other partials out of tune. Sure, a little "lipping" may have been required, however, nothing crazy. The tuba I owned had lightning fast response and had the newer "Z" valves which were very good.

I am not a Wessex "Artiste" or affiliated with the company in anyway. I sold my Wessex Luzern because I prefer "BATS"...even when it's not appropriate Maybe you just received a "dud" or maybe there's a simple fix to the problem. Good luck. I would definitely take Stryk's offer if you are able to find time for a short trip.

[Kingpin094]

After a few more hours of playing I can get the low Bb to almost in tune but it takes some lip gymnastics to get there. I am taking it to the local shop tomorrow as the said they had someone to give it a blow. Also may try a different mouthpiece to see if that helps. Thanks for all of the information. Really appreciate the support that the tuba community provides.

[Dan Tuba]

Some of the mouthpieces that I thought worked well with the Luzern are a Robert Tucci 50 and a Kelly 50 (Stainless steel and Lexan both worked well). If you are a fan of Bach 24AWs, that seemed to work fairly well.

[Big Toot]

I just switched from an incorrect-for-BBb-tuba mouthpiece to a PT-85 and the difference is quite a bit more than I would have anticipated. Maybe that could be a problem. Not to say that it is "the" problem, but still.

[Wyvern]

The Wessex Luzern generally has good intonation. In my experience testing a lot of these, that Bb is normally about 10 cents higher than the octave above, but that is within usual tendencies of tubas (none are 100% in tune on every note) and easily managed.

I would go by the advice here of getting an experienced player to try and also test with different mouthpieces. If there really is a problem with the tuba supplied, Wessex will of course replace at no charge. And to give you assurance, I would be happy to play test any replacement personally to confirm its a good one before shipping.

[Kingpin094]

The Wessex Luzern generally has good intonation. In my experience testing a lot of these, that Bb is normally about 10 cents higher than the octave above, but that is within usual tendencies of tubas (none are 100% in tune on every note) and easily managed.

I would go by the advice here of getting an experienced player to try and also test with different mouthpieces. If there really is a problem with the tuba supplied, Wessex will of course replace at no charge. And to give you assurance, I would be happy to play test any replacement personally to confirm its a good one before shipping.

When you test these what type of mouthpiece do you use? Just curious.

[Wyvern]

When you test these what type of mouthpiece do you use? Just curious.

The mouthpiece which is supplied with the tuba

[Three Valves]

Those Wessex HB mouthpieces aren’t bad. Will they ever be in stock again??

[Wyvern]

Those Wessex HB mouthpieces aren’t bad. Will they ever be in stock again??

Yes, the whole batch sold at once and it then takes 7 months to get next batch manufactured to restock

[TheGoyWonder]

This is NOT uncommon, this is a very common complaint with the X-Brand Chinese "210" tuba.
A talented 8th grader got one for her next xx Christmases and birthdays. She was having same issues, I tried her horn and I had same issues. She plays her school's ancient multiple-rehabbed 186 as soon as she hit high-school.
Maybe Wessex found a way to compensate for the problem, I'd believe that.
But I wouldn't believe that their production workers are doing it if they aren't being watched LIKE A HAWK.