Weril J680 BBb tuba

[Chuck(G)]

I finally got some instrument money out of my district for my jr. high (6th-8th) band. This looks like about the best match for what I'm looking for budget/quality-wise.

Opinions, pro or con? (I don't want to get into the top/front/pistons/rotors-in-schools controversy, I am extremely strict on horn care and I rarely have problems.) Also, I have to get quotes from three vendors and I can only find the horn online at Baltimore Brass and Tuba Exchange. Who else carries this?

TIA

DEG is the official US distributor:

http://www.degmusic.com

[Lew]

I have played on a couple of them and found them to play well for what they were. I think that they would be good middle school instruments. I think that the Jupiter 482 is another similar instrument in about the same price range that would be worth considering.

[RRW]

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[Art Hovey]

I think they are ideal for middle-school kids. I have a female student who has been using one for three years now; she made all-state band as a sophomore. The older ones had an awkward valve guide similar to the ones on conn short-action valves but not as well-made. The newer ones have guides similar to Yamahas; much less trouble.

[Kevin Hendrick]

Has anyone seen and/or had a chance to play the J682 (Eb version)? I've read that they're available, but haven't found anything beyond that (price, weight, intonation, etc.) ...

[Kevin Hendrick]

Has anyone seen and/or had a chance to play the J682 (Eb version)? I've read that they're available, but haven't found anything beyond that (price, weight, intonation, etc.) ...

I had a Weril 3-valve Eb in silver. I assume it was the J682 that you ask of. I owned it for a bit under 6 months (bought a Besson compensating to replace it). I used it in brass band. The intonation is workable (worked fine in band) not great by myself (I had better horns to play at home, so I only played this in band). Several notes worked better with alternate fingerings (Bb & F in the staff 1-3, etc.). Mine may still be for sale from Baltimore Brass, unless Dave already sold it. For a new tuba under $1k, it was great. Construction was fine, valves worked very well.

The sound tended to be on the brighter side, especially when played loud (more trombone-like than tuba, but it could put out some volume). Sounded like a tuba at normal volumes. It was not a heavy tuba (really a 3/4 Eb, if you consider the Besson a 4 or 5/4). The workable range only went down to A (three valves) and I found the false tones to be difficult at best and really not available. The high range was pretty good (up to G above the staff).

The three-valve Eb is the J330 (sibling to the J310 CC and J370 BBb), but I appreciate the information -- I'd been curious about that one too. The one I was asking about is the front-action 4-valve Eb (sibling to the J680 BBb and J681 CC). I've seen references to them being available, but nothing else. The J68x-family Werils appear to be very similar to the 621-family Yamahas, and the Eb is the one that Yamaha doesn't make ... just wondered how good they might be. Thanks!

[Alex F]

......ALSO CONSIDER WHY ALMOST NOBODY CARRIES THE WERIL

"almost nobody" includes Joe Sellmansberger of Mid-South Music, Dave Fedderly of Baltimore Brass, and Steve Ferguson of Hornguys. If you spend some time here, you would soon learn that these are among the top brass sellers in the U.S. They don't carry "junk."

Here are Steve Ferguson's comments on the Weril:

"A small 3/4 size tuba copied from the Yamaha 621 BBb. It has decent workmanship at a great price. Ths is a fine student quality BBb tuba. It pops out the low notes well, though some of the middle notes are not as easily centered as on a larger instrument. Available in lacquer or silver, with or without case, starting at about $2100, call for current pricing. Also available in CC and Eb, haven't played them though."

You, of course, are entitled to your opinion regarding the horn that you bought. However, generalizing a personal experience without laying the foundation for your conclusions is of minimal value.

Moreover sir, typing posts in all caps is considered rude on most forums.

[Kevin Hendrick]

Here are Steve Ferguson's comments on the Weril:

"A small 3/4 size tuba copied from the Yamaha 621 BBb. It has decent workmanship at a great price. Ths is a fine student quality BBb tuba. It pops out the low notes well, though some of the middle notes are not as easily centered as on a larger instrument. Available in lacquer or silver, with or without case, starting at about $2100, call for current pricing. Also available in CC and Eb, haven't played them though."

Thanks, Alex -- glad to know that!

[Alex F]

I just noticed a Weril 3v silver Eb FS on BBC's site. Might that be your old one Bill?