Wessex "Wyvern" vs. Eastman 832 - go!

[barry grrr-ero]

I'm looking for input on the Wessex "Wyvern" vs. the Eastman 832 (not the popular 836). Thanks in advance.

[tubaing]

Not a helpful answer, but...

When I play tested the Wyvern, I didn't think it favorably compared to my Yamaha YCB-822 CC.

[LeMark]

For build quality, responsiveness, and intonation, I would take the Eastman every time.

[bloke]

If you blend those two together, do you end up with something like “a good/used M-W 2155” ?

[bort2.0]

Speaking of Wessex, seems like we haven't heard from Jonathan in a VERY long time. Hope all is well with him.

[Three Valves]

I would not compare the larger Eastman to the smaller Wessex. However, across the spectrum of tubadom, the Eastman offers greater build quality. If you have a few extra hundys, spring for the Eastman and if not the Wessex will do fine.

[bloke]

Well… Google strikes again… Suddenly I started seeing Jonathan‘s posts on Facebook.
By the way, if you don’t think that your phone is listening to all of your conversations just sitting on your nightstand or in your pocket, you are fooling yourself.

[Mary Ann]

Not having a smart phone I'm pretty sure it's incapable of listening. It also stays home when I go somewhere, and nobody nowadays even seems to understand that. They always send me ways to use something called a "app" that I don't have, don't want, and will not get unless somehow I can't buy food without it any more. And even then I might decide to plant food instead.

[bloke]

Not having a smart phone I'm pretty sure it's incapable of listening. It also stays home when I go somewhere, and nobody nowadays even seems to understand that. They always send me ways to use something called a "app" that I don't have, don't want, and will not get unless somehow I can't buy food without it any more. And even then I might decide to plant food instead.

[cktuba]

I would not compare the larger Eastman to the smaller Wessex. However, across the spectrum of tubadom, the Eastman offers greater build quality. If you have a few extra hundys, spring for the Eastman and if not the Wessex will do fine.

Larger Eastman? I think you're thinking of the 836... not the 832.

I have no hands on experience with either. But the Wyvern is 1291, Kalison DS sized and the 832 is Conn 56J sized.

[bloke]

true...but - to anyone else - they are ALL large and "tubas".

I would not compare the larger Eastman to the smaller Wessex. However, across the spectrum of tubadom, the Eastman offers greater build quality. If you have a few extra hundys, spring for the Eastman and if not the Wessex will do fine.

Larger Eastman? I think you're thinking of the 836... not the 832.

I have no hands on experience with either. But the Wyvern is 1291, Kalison DS sized and the 832 is Conn 56J sized.

[matt g]

If you’re looking at the 832, might want to throw in the 632 also. It’s very similar in terms of specs but a decent bit cheaper.

ETA: Dillon Music looks to still have a couple of 832s at demo prices that are less than the 632 price.

[Doc]

I played both earlier this year, and I liked both, although comparing these is apples vs. oranges. Or more accurately: oranges vs. grapefruits.

The 832 is definitely a 4/4 instrument, but it makes a very resonant and vibrant (kinda York-ish) attractive sound. Not small, but not 5/4 or 6/4. Easy to play with good intonation.

The Wyvern is a 5/4 tuba. I played it in a quiet elephant room, and it filled the place with a big sound. Yes, kinda like a 1291, but with a darker 2155 sound. And plenty big. Not 6/4 pillowy big, not German Kaiser big, but solid, wide, and projecting big. Impressive intonation. I was happily surprised with it. You wouldn't need anything bigger unless maybe you were in the largest of orchestras.

[Three Valves]

I would not compare the larger Eastman to the smaller Wessex. However, across the spectrum of tubadom, the Eastman offers greater build quality. If you have a few extra hundys, spring for the Eastman and if not the Wessex will do fine.

Larger Eastman? I think you're thinking of the 836... not the 832.

I have no hands on experience with either. But the Wyvern is 1291, Kalison DS sized and the 832 is Conn 56J sized.

[barry grrr-ero]

Thank you for your input everyone, with a special 'shout out' to Doc. That was very helpful. I'm a bit torn because the 832 is lighter in weight, and may be quite good for quintet stuff. I tried one in San Jose and really liked the ergonomics of it. However, I think the sound of the "Wyvern" may be more to my liking. I'd like to have the two in the same space to try out, but I could say the same for Morgan Fairchild and Jane Russell.

[Doc]

I'd like to have the two in the same space to try out, but I could say the same for Morgan Fairchild and Jane Russell.

Indeed, sir... indeed.

Doc (who is reminded by BG's post that one can wish in one hand and $#!+ in the other and see which one fills up first)

[bloke]

I suspect that Jane Russell could fill up someone’s hand before Morgan Fairchild could.

[MN_TimTuba]

I suspect that Jane Russell could fill up someone’s hand before Morgan Fairchild could.

6/4 vs 5/4 - the old debate continues.

[KingTuba1241X]

Well… Google strikes again… Suddenly I started seeing Jonathan‘s posts on Facebook.
By the way, if you don’t think that your phone is listening to all of your conversations just sitting on your nightstand or in your pocket, you are fooling yourself.

+1 and even worse...was (a couple years ago) riding in a vehicle with someone I did not know from Adam and happened to be browsing Facebook when those "suggested friends" popped up and this person I was riding with (who I didn't know) came across that feed. I think cell phones "talk" to each other as well (send/recieve data from other phones in proximity). Very..not good...



Eastman for sure if those are your only 2 test subjects.