Yamaha 381-YEB 5-valve Eb tuba SOLD

[Sam Gnagey]

This Yamaha is the model that Pat Sheridan made a lot of his early reputation on before going with the Besson front action compensator.
15" bell, .687/730" bore. 5th valve is tuned to a 3/4 step and is dependent within the 4th valve loop. This is a great playing instrument with an even, in-tune scale. It's the same horn as the 321-YEB with the added 5th valve. I've had a great time playing quintet, solo and orchestral stuff with it for about the last 10 years. Selling only because I could buy back a Besson Imperial that I had sold a long time ago, shouldn't have and wanted back. Lacquer is about 95% intact. Gold brass lead pipe, nylon valve guides. I made an extension for the main tuning slide which was just a bit too short to be safe and shortened the length of the 4th valve loop to make it play an in tune F.
Comes with hard case. $2900 plus shipping.

[jon112780]

I played this horn when I was down at Sam's shop earlier this year. It has a very nice, 'direct' sound. Good low range too

[pwhitaker]

I'll second the above. I played one of these exclusively for nearly 10 years in diverse venues - BQ, concert Band, Trad Jazz and solos. The only reason I sold it was that I could no longer use the top action valves with my bad right shoulder coupled with an incipient intention tremor.

I had the original 4 valve version of this horn in the early 80's and used it for about 5 years. The 5th valve really enhanced the already great low register of this horn. The pedals on this horn are magnificent and the upper register just sings.