New Tuba Day - Unboxing and Review of the...

[Doc]

@Lee Stofer @Wyvern @pjv

[Three Valves]

Nice buttons!!

[Doc]

Nice buttons!!

They probably wouldn't have been my first color choice, but as it turns out, I like them just fine.

[bloke]

At first glance, it stuck me that it is a bit tacky to adapt the instrument from their 28K sousaphone copy (rather than building a not-cobbled-together bell to fit it), but THEN I realized that ONLY a SHORT bell will fit in a sousaphone case...so - well - what they did makes total sense.

[Doc]

At first glance, it stuck me that it is a bit tacky to adapt the instrument from their 28K sousaphone copy (rather than building a not-cobbled-together bell to fit it), but THEN I realized that ONLY a SHORT bell will fit in a sousaphone case...so - well - what they did makes total sense.

Whatever it was, it seemed to work out.

[bloke]

yes...I can see that it's better for encased transport.

[Three Valves]

How are the tuning bits working out?

I heard they were a little “off” in early production models and later improved.

[Doc]

How are the tuning bits working out?

I heard they were a little “off” in early production models and later improved.

I used the short bit for the video. Tried the long one for just a minute. I’ll line them up with a tuner and see which works best. I tried the CC earlier this year, and using only one bit was the ticket. Others relayed a similar experience. Seems to be the same with the Eb. As far as there being issues with the bits themselves, I haven’t experienced that so far.

[Kirley]

I've been meaning to ask Jonathan about the bits. @Wyvern

I have the BBb helicon and the bits are my least favorite part of that horn. But it's an "older" one and I remember Jonathan said there was going to be some improvements made in that department. Mine are very much in the style of Conn but not as well fitting. They're both identical.

Doc, would you mind posting a pic of the bits?

[Three Valves]

I found it odd the the Eb uses only one...

[Doc]

I found it odd the the Eb uses only one...

I’m just going by experience and recommendations. I’ll post my experience with each and with both.

Doc, would you mind posting a pic of the bits?

Pics forthcoming!

[Doc]

Doc, would you mind posting a pic of the bits?

E5572E47-6F2D-42D8-AD4A-46D2DB90C970.jpeg (85.51 KiB) Viewed 563 times

[Kirley]

Thank you!

Very different design than mine.

[Doc]

I found it odd the the Eb uses only one...

I just spent 30 minutes testing them out in an A/B/C comparison.

Both bits - the most comfortable, but VERY flat. Barely 440 with the tuning slide pushed in all the way. Response not ideal. I doubt I will find a reason to use both.

Long bit - brings partials more closely in tune than the short bit, leaves room both directions on the tuning slide, response is not bad, but it’s not as easy or immediate as the short bit

Short bit - response is very good, a handful of pitches need minor adjustment, need to shift the horn slightly to make it comfortable

More experimenting to come...

[tofu]

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[Doc]

Congrats! - I hope you get years of joyful playing from it.

Thanks!

All these new horns - have you become TexasBort???

Bort - relentless pursuit of one tuba to do it all

Bill - upgrades multiple tubas (and adds extra) to do multiple jobs

I did months of research and testing to help minimize the possible buying and selling that comes with finding the right ones, but I still managed to have a couple that were turned for better replacements. Praise the Lord- I’ve really been blessed the last 2-3 years (read: I’ve had the opportunity to work my dumb fat @$$ off -> -> 80-90hrs per week) so I have been able to keep most of what I’ve acquired. Uncle Sam got his, too.