Bob1062 wrote:Are these Willson/Canadian Brass/Getzen/etc... all the same instrument (excepting Getzen's current top valve model)? Are they basically the front-action Willson?
Yes, there were different models with the CB logo on them; one of them was non-compensating. For that matter, the original pattern for these things was a Fred Marzan design and he had both compensating and non-compensating models.
Schilke 51D suits me fine. If I want a slightly brigher sound, a Willson TA3 (6 1/2 AL clone, basically).
Bob1062 wrote:Thanks Chuck. How common are these? Do they play well? Is the bore .59x-ish? If so I could have a bass trombone valve added as a fifth valve.
Anyone got a picture?
The original CB-30 is still being made by Willson as the 2975 as far as I know; 4-front-acting compensating valves (you don't need a 5th).
It's not popular with the euph crowd because it is a 4-valve front-action instrument instead of the customary 3+1 setup. But many tuba players seem to like it (myself included) very much.
Bob1062 wrote:Thanks, but I actually meant the non-comp. I think there was on one Ebay a while ago.
I recently played a bell front 4valve Conn american baritone, and I really didn't like it that much. But I did like the 3front valve up-bell I played awhile ago.
How does your your Willson compare to a good front action top bell American baritone?
Nice "fat" sound, more like a tenor tuba, very open feeling, even in the basement. Not much like the typical American bariphonium, as far as I can tell. It does take a bass trombone shank mouthpiece.
