EEb as do-it-all horn?

[bort]

PS, I know Pat Sheridan played on one for a very long time... but the playing he does and the playing I do are QUITE different.

[cambrook]

is a 4-valve compensating EEb "enough valves" to play low enough for all the orchestral rep?

4 valve F tubas are almost always not compensating.

The compensating system allows the tuba to be fully chromatic down to the fundamental

[Mojo workin']

What kind of sound do you want? A Firebird or B&S Symphonie sound different than a 983, for sure, but remember that you will sound like you no matter what. The color of the sound just depends on the type of filter (tuba) you play. Both can be made to play similarly to each other, but both are still different. What is your tone/color objective?

Good question. I really like the sound that John Fletcher got from his Besson 981 (982?). Although the front action ergonomics of the 983 appeal to me more. I guess I would choose the darker sounding of the two, if there is one.

[J.c. Sherman]

Eb has been my principal tuba for my whole career. I love the term "adjustable wrench" for it. It CAN do everything. I've used it for solo, quintet, and with very large orchestras. I'm actually between Ebs right now and it's like an amputation! But they are the single most useful tool in an arsenal. There are many world-wide who, like me, take the 3+1 Eb when they don't know what to expect, or when there's a wide variety of literature. They can sing, dance, rock the roof, and and delicately peck off a high WTF note.

Yes, I own and F, a CC, a BBb, etc. But the Eb is the great center of my universe. Also, my vote is ALWAYS for the 3+1 comps... I feel strongly they are more dexterous (discussed many times before) physiologically.

J.c.S.

[toobagrowl]

4v F tubas cannot play all the notes, however 4v compensating EEb's can. I recently kicked the tires on a 983. It was a nice horn that played well. The pedal range was solid, including pedal E, and the comp fingerings were easy. Definitely worth trying if you're thinking about EEb.

Others you might consider:
Kanstul 66S
MW 2141 or 2040
Miraphone NorStar or Starlight
Willson 3400 (BIG EEb)
Miraphone Ambassador (BIG EEb)

The Miraphone NorStar and Starlight models look and sound like F tubas. The other models you listed are true Eb tubas.

[toobagrowl]

Here is what an Eb tuba could and should sound like:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsEpd0MH ... r_embedded

Fletch on his Besson 981 Eb. Notice the bite and depth he got out of that horn. Fletch probably had the deepest Eb sound I have heard.

[J.c. Sherman]

The Fletch model IS a pain for corpulent folks - I can't play it. However, the 980 and the 981 have a 45 degree slanted body position rather than the snug position of the Fletch Model. It's actually esier for me (not slender) than the 983... but YMMV.

Even better with a tuba stand

J.c.S. (wishing a 980 would wander past...)

[tclements]

I would think the best all around, do all horn would be a 4/4 CC. Quintet, show, solo, orchstra, band. There are many players in the UK that make the EEb their do-all horn, but many of them learn on Eb and I just don't see that happening on this side of the pond.

[GC]

@tooba: some posts a few years back said that Fletch used a CC Holton for a good bit of the Star Wars sound track, particularly evident in the Jawas sandcrawler solo.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iISxAhvv3ts Check around 3:16. As great as Fletch was, there's no way that's an Eb.

[Mark]

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=47206

[TMurphy]

I have owned a 983 as my only horn for close to 10 years now. I got it when I was in college because it just "fit" me perfectly; it allows me to get closer to what's in my head than just about anything else I've played. Wouldn't trade it for anything.

If I had the money, would I get a contrabass to go with it? Sure, but it's certainly not a necessity.

[Mojo workin']

Doc, you mentioned a small BBb as a possible all around horn. Any suggestions on models?

Only one that comes to mind is a Cerveny piggy.

[TheHatTuba]

Doc, you mentioned a small BBb as a possible all around horn. Any suggestions on models?

Only one that comes to mind is a Cerveny piggy.

Mirafone 184/185
YBB-621
Meinl Weston Hojo
Others

[TheHatTuba]

For specific Eb's I vote the Norwegian Star. The Besson's don't play the way I prefer, but some people really like and do great with them.

[GC]

@bloke: the y'all tube video doesn't have the best of sound, but the original soundtrack recording is pretty clear there. I really don't think he used a bass tuba for the Jawas solo; the sound's just too dark and thick.

[EdFirth]

Harvey Phillips did everything on a smaller Conn C which is very like the Conn 3J. The Bb is a 5J and is still in production. Ed

[bort]

Doc, you mentioned a small BBb as a possible all around horn. Any suggestions on models?

Only one that comes to mind is a Cerveny piggy.

Mirafone 184/185
YBB-621
Meinl Weston Hojo
Others

I think "others" is exceptionally helpful.

[Michael Grant]

Like many have said before me on this post, the EEb works fine as an only horn. I agree that for the big stuff (large orchestra and large orchestral works, etc.) a contra-bass is needed (CC or BBb) but I don't play in anything that would require something that large. I use the Willson 3400 EEb. It works well for everything I play in or would ever play. I don't agree with an earlier post that the Norwegian Star would work as the only EEb horn. I spent a couple of hours with one really putting it through the paces and in my opinion, it does not have the balz that the Willson has. When I really wanted to let loose, it couldn't handle it. I've heard and read that the MW 2141 is a good option as well as the Perrantucci EEb. I have not played any of those.

Now, with all that said, I also think the same thing could be accomplished with the Rudy Meinl 3/4 CC. Before all the EEb development, that was "the" all around tuba. So much so that I have considered on many occasions trading my Willson for a 3/4 Rudy (I prefer rotary valves - especially the older I get and the less I play). The one thing that has stopped me from taking the plunge is the sound and response on my Willson. It just sounds great! I'm sure age will finally make that decision for me.

Anyhow, my 2 cents.

[PhilGreen]

I had a 2 month trial with both the Starlight and Norwegian Star and agree with Michael that I didn't think that either had the low down power that I needed/wanted/was used to. The 2040/5 that eventually chose did have this in spades, although I now understand through this forum that it's not a very popular choice.

[Rommel72]

For Many years I had the CC-F tuba combo. Several years ago I cut back to just a CC tuba. Then about a year ago, I decided I wanted something a little more versitile. I was lucky enough to find a used Willson 3400 for a good price. I sold my CC and now play the Willson exclusively. I have played it in various settings (orchestra, ensemble, and solo). I have found that it holds its own very well and am very pleased with the decision I made to switch to EEb as my only horn.