Eastman 825vg

[MikeMason]

Finally got my new tuba. Been on order since may. Worth the wait. Definitely keeper. Very easy to play. Just feels like a pro tuba in every way. Responsive, great sound. It’s still a b flat tuba, and needs a bit cleaner signal sent in on a few notes than a similar c, but I like the sound and low register better. It’s the size of a pt6 and fits my leather Cronkite pt6 bag perfectly. Nickel silver slides, spring loaded valve linkages (like b&s), very short throw on fifth valve. All slides easy accessible from the back or top. Comfortable to hold with a sticky pad and no stand needed(for me). I would have expected the valves to be vented, especially with all the hype about the easy-move first valve slide and considering all the piston valve horns are vented,even the ones for grade school market. That would be my only complaint so far. Comes with a Laskey 30g, which was a pleasant surprise. I’ll probably use a 32g or bigger, but definitely a worthy mouthpiece to include. Also includes a very nice wheeled hard case,which I won’t use,but looks like it would probably cost 500$ ish.So far, all intonation within 10 cents, with appropriate fingering. Prokofiev 5, swan lake and Vaughn Williams London symphony coming up soon. Looking forward to it!