New Willson BBb

poomshanka · Post by **poomshanka** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 5:11 pm

Looks like another re-tasking of the 3050 taper, along the same lines as my rotary 3050 CC. The valves and tuning slides, though, are flipped around.

After having to drop some decent coin to get the ergonomics "re-jiggered" on my axe, I'd be very curious to see how the paddles on this thing lie under your hand. On mine, the paddles were so high, I had to cock my wrist at an uncomfortable angle to play them. The leadpipe was either just right and the valve paddles too high, or the valve paddles were just right, and the mouthpiece came in below my Adam's Apple. Since the leadpipe was almost a straight shot around the bell, not really much play there. I think this wrap would better accomodate tweaks like that.

From a manufacturing perspective, this design appears as though it might better lend itself to "factory edits" to correct any ergonomic issues, i.e. moving the leadpipe up and down relative to the valve paddles.

Having played, more or less, the CC counterpart to this horn, I might be able to extrapolate a few opinions on the BBb. Built like a tank, prolly around 30 pounds or so. Projects like crazy, with a very dense, solid core to the sound. Not what I'd call a heavy, squishy sound, like some piston BATs - IMHO - tend to produce (my analogy - a beach ball full of Jell-O). Not foggy either. Lean, muscular, huge, a la many other big rotary horns. Because the metal's so thick, it can tend to feel, perhaps, a litle "dead" in your hands. This can be a little unnerving if you're used to a lot of feedback in your lap. For big, heavy horns, they seem to retain nice clarity and nimbleness to the sound when played soft.

Just my opinion, but I think the rotary 3050s are better horns than their piston counterparts. Your mileage may vary, however...

...Dave

tubeast · Post by **tubeast** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 2:13 am

MAN!!! Did you see that BBb with a main tuning slide POINTING THE RIGHT WAY ??? (to the left, that is)
You can actually pull that slide while playing. AWESOME!!

BTW, ever tried to let your tuba rest ON your left thigh instead of IN your lap ? Keeps the horn upright vs. slanted to the left, which might solve the pain in the right hand wrist.
(ThatÂ´s a good idea if you have a long upper body)

You might need some cardboard or a folded sweater stuck underneath the horn if itÂ´s as heavy as you describe...

poomshanka · Post by **poomshanka** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 4:06 am

tubeast wrote:BTW, ever tried to let your tuba rest ON your left thigh instead of IN your lap ? Keeps the horn upright vs. slanted to the left, which might solve the pain in the right hand wrist.
(ThatÂ´s a good idea if you have a long upper body)

You might need some cardboard or a folded sweater stuck underneath the horn if itÂ´s as heavy as you describe...

Yeah, you would need some serious padding to keep this thing from damaging you permanently - they don't get much heavier! I use a Roc-n-Soc drum throne and a BBC tuba stand to tame my horn. Unfortunately, since the leadpipe and valve paddles move together - i.e. when one goes up, the other goes up, and vice versa - there's no way around the ergonomics other than some cosmetic surgery. Believe me, I tried everything!

When my digital camera's working again, I'll post some pixx of the mods Robb Stewart did for me.

Yeah, I really dig the layout on this BBb - very cool!!

...Dave