Howdy everyone, Im a philosophy major and music minor with the goal to go to a conservatory for a doctorate in music/conducting with the goal to eventually teach at the college level.
Sense my focus isn't really in performance (I'm more interesting in theory, musicology and conducting.) I am in the market fir a pro level 4/4 cc tuba. I have heard really good things about the Adams 4/4 cc and the meinl weston ursus and was wondering if anyone has personal experience with both and `/or if there is any other good options and anyone could compare and explain the tone, flexibility and general performance of these tubas.
have a good day and remember to play your long tones
The 4/4 CC market is pretty saturated right now. The models you list are pretty uncommon used and usually very expensive.
I always like to recommend things you can sell later for what you paid for it. I’d recommend something along the lines of a Meinl Weston 3450, an Ursus for the right price, a Pt-606, or one of the Miraphone 129x or 291 horns. Any of them you can recoup your investment.
The Adams is a Hirsbrunner Hb-21 clone. Notoriously pitchy, especially with the 2-3 combo. I like the low range on the Adams and didn’t notice any huge pitch issues but way too expensive for what it is, IMO. John Packer makes literally the same horn for like $5,000. If you’re set on an Hb-21, get the JP and call it a day.
The Ursus/Pt-606 are essentially the same bugle with different slide routings. Same horn, similar pitch quirks, but the Ursus has the better slide layout. Many have complained about the York-style leadpipe. And I’d tend to agree. I just don’t think the horn needs that angle leadpipe. It makes for an awkward playing position.
The 3450 is a good horn but sounds smaller than the rest of my recommendations. Fits nicely into a quintet. Great do anything tuba, but doesn’t have as big a sound as the others.
The Miraphones play great, sound great, and sell pretty easily. Of the three, my favorite was the 1293. But I’m biased, I used to own one.
I’d avoid the Chinese stuff simply because you’re not going to get what you paid for it.
To be completely frank, I wouldn’t pay xx,xxx for any 4/4 tuba. Over 10k, you’re in the realm of REALLY nice big tubas. Think Thors, Pt6’s, Nirschl, etc. That’s just my opinion. $8500 seems to be the sweet spot.
Frankly, since you are going for a conducting degree and not a performance degree, I agree with the above: don't spend big bucks on a new tuba. Get a used Miraphone 186CC which you can usually sell for what you have in it. It is a known quantity world wide and is versatile as it gets.
I can attest to the Meinl Weston 3450. It is a wonderful tuba, and is well worth the money, and you can normally sell it for what you paid for it, if not more. I would agree with the previous poster, and say to avoid the Adams. If you have the money, a MW Ursus would be a great choice, however I think it sounds really "barky", though I have not played one. If you want more info about the MW3450, feel free to PM me.
Satisfied also with the Meinl Weston 3450. Very flexible, sound is relatively big, regarding size. I am using a rather heavy, deep mouthpiece with 8,6 bore: result is a nice dark sound. No notable tuning problems.
Hubert
I may be a bit biased but you also should consider the Yamaha 822 CC. I was eating my own words when I played the one that I ended up buying. Really great response and in my experience VERY in tune compared to the models listed above (as well as more affordable). Good luck on your search!
Brandon Bruce
Principal Tuba Gaylord Symphony Orchestra
Principal Tuba Alpena Symphony Orchestra
As someone who has owned an Ursus for a few years, I can attest to the fact that it is a phenomenal instrument. The two issues I’ve seen mentioned here have not been a problem for me at all. The angled lead pipe hasn’t bothered me once. I’m selling the horn due to a herniated disc, but it has nothing to do with the horn. I’d have to sell any horn where I have to reach over the top for slides. Up until the injury, the horn was perfectly comfy and until I had to sell it, I had completely forgotten it had the angled pipe because I got so used to it.
The barking sound is something I would attribute to nearly every 4/4 CC tuba I’ve ever played somewhere in the register. Due to the large piping on the Ursus, I’ve never gotten that on the horn.
Overall, it’s got an amazing sound that I’ve not really had on any other horn of it’s size and if it weren’t for my injury, I’d never have put it on the market.
That being said, if I was not performing or if I was on a budget, I would consider other horns. The PT-606p, Miraphone 1291/2/3, and 186/8 come to mind. But once you cross the $9k threshold, I’d start looking at horns like the Thor, Ursus, 3450 etc.
