Need the Perfect Tuba (of Course) for Studio Work

[sliphorn]

Sorry to beat a dead horse, and it's not a troll question (so please no trollish answers) but what do you feel about pistons vs. rotors for studio work in terms of facility, clarity of sound, and cleanliness of articulations, etc.? I know there is no right answer, but I'm looking for some reasonable opinions.

What sort of "studio work" (styles) will you be doing?

seriously, though...
When you walk into some tuba conference, it's very reminiscent of the cantina scene in the old Star Wars movie.
There are so many shapes/sizes/styles of tubas (all used for all sorts of styles of playing) that it's downright comical...
...It's not like a trombone shindig where there are
- jazz trombones
- medium large F attachment trombones
- large F attachment trombones
- bass trombones
...and all that really varies is the types of valves and the types of metals.

Again, its FAR more like this:

Styles, any and all. I'm mostly a jazz player but want to be prepared for any situation. Thanks to all for the advice, ideas, and contributions.

[Doug Elliott]

Sliphorn is not a "trombone player looking to double on tuba," he's actually played tenor trombone, bass trombone, tuba, and many other instruments for as long as I've known him, which is 20+ years now. I think he's really just looking for opinions on what to buy for a good versatile tuba.

[sliphorn]

Sliphorn is not a "trombone player looking to double on tuba," he's actually played tenor trombone, bass trombone, tuba, and many other instruments for as long as I've known him, which is 20+ years now. I think he's really just looking for opinions on what to buy for a good versatile tuba.

Why, hello, Doug. I didn't know I'd find you here. Nice picture, by the way.

Doug's right...and believe it or not, I played tuba before trombone, so I'm very comfortable on it. That being said, I really appreciate all the contributors to the thread. I like the idea of the Eb tuba, especially considering my space limitations. I don't mind working out reading with a Eb tuba. Like I said, I don't care what key it's in from a personal perspective, only a musical/sound one. If it records well, I'm in.

[sliphorn]

Sliphorn is not a "trombone player looking to double on tuba," he's actually played tenor trombone, bass trombone, tuba, and many other instruments for as long as I've known him, which is 20+ years now. I think he's really just looking for opinions on what to buy for a good versatile tuba.

very good to know...
The advice, probably, still remains the same.
A carefully-chosen 3+1 comp. Eb tuba will play nearly as well in-tune as the King 2341 BBb tubas, and a 3+1 comp. Eb may offer a player a bit more security around the upper lines of and above the staff.
Any "shoot the middle" instrument (of any type) is going to...well...shoot the middle.

I could - as an analogous example - suggest that a .525" bore F-attachment trombone could (with movement from something approximating a 52E2 small shank mouthpiece...to something approximating a 51 small shank mouthpiece...to something approximating a 6-1/2AL small shank mouthpiece...to something approximating a 12C small shank mouthpiece) cover any of the four trombone parts in a "big band"...but suggesting this to most knowledgeable trombone players (though somewhat true, and as they would be thinking of such better choices for each of those specific applications) would probably make them grimace.

bloke "with the google ad (near the top of page, but below the TubeNet sponsor ad) prompted by this series of posts being this...

click.gif

I forgot to ask...Can anyone point me at one of these Eb stencils? And of what is it a stencil? I'm familiar with compensating systems...my Willson 2900S euph is set up that way. I must say it's very nice.

Anyway, a link would be super helpful. I'll take a look at Mack now. Thanks again.

[Doug Elliott]

I could - as an analogous example - suggest that a .525" bore F-attachment trombone could (with movement from something approximating a 52E2 small shank mouthpiece...to something approximating a 51 small shank mouthpiece...to something approximating a 6-1/2AL small shank mouthpiece...to something approximating a 12C small shank mouthpiece) cover any of the four trombone parts in a "big band"...but suggesting this to most knowledgeable trombone players (though somewhat true, and as they would be thinking of such better choices for each of those specific applications) would probably make them grimace.

Actually I like that idea (except for the mouthpieces) - a lot more than the too-often used .547's in high school jazz bands, that make no sense at all, sounding like a herd of elephants.

A stencil is an instrument that has a name on it other than the factory that produced it. At one time, usually halfway decent or better European instruments sold by US dealers under their own name. Now usually Chinese crap or better with European-sounding names.

[sliphorn]

I could - as an analogous example - suggest that a .525" bore F-attachment trombone could (with movement from something approximating a 52E2 small shank mouthpiece...to something approximating a 51 small shank mouthpiece...to something approximating a 6-1/2AL small shank mouthpiece...to something approximating a 12C small shank mouthpiece) cover any of the four trombone parts in a "big band"...but suggesting this to most knowledgeable trombone players (though somewhat true, and as they would be thinking of such better choices for each of those specific applications) would probably make them grimace.

Actually I like that idea (except for the mouthpieces) - a lot more than the too-often used .547's in high school jazz bands, that make no sense at all, sounding like a herd of elephants.

A stencil is an instrument that has a name on it other than the factory that produced it. At one time, usually halfway decent or better European instruments sold by US dealers under their own name. Now usually Chinese crap or better with European-sounding names.

I know what a stencil is, but I'm wondering what the subject of the stencil is, like the Jinbao alto trombones are stencils of the K&H Slokars. I'm not as versed on tuba models, so I'm wondering what the Eb stencils being referred to are based on. I probably wasn't clear. Definitely looking forward to seeing the tuba.

[tubacorbin]

Was browsing and ran into some neat instruments for sale through Dana Hofer. A King 2341 BBb with an optional recording bell and a 5 valve Yahama Eb YEB-381. Both could be good options and are worth a phone call to Dana IMO.

http://www.danahoferbrassrepair.com/links.htm" target="_blank

[sliphorn]

Great info, Bloke. I appreciate it. I'm very interested in that Eb. I found that JP and the Wessex equivalent.

Since this thread has become a bit of a two-poster dialogue, I want to encourage any other posters to tell me what their opinion is of the Eb for recording. I'm getting closer to understanding the various components of the problem.

Thanks, all!

[sliphorn]

Was browsing and ran into some neat instruments for sale through Dana Hofer. A King 2341 BBb with an optional recording bell and a 5 valve Yahama Eb YEB-381. Both could be good options and are worth a phone call to Dana IMO.

http://www.danahoferbrassrepair.com/links.htm" target="_blank" target="_blank

Oh wow. I played one of these in high school! Blast from the past.

Thanks for the link!