TubaForum.net

I was mistaken: the bell, while looking oversized on a short, squat tuba, is only 16'5" diameter. I played it tonight for a 2 hour rehearsal and I really enjoyed it. A very responsive horn, nary a stuffy note, and still plays nicely in tune. I'd need to sit with a tuner to see if lipping is necessary on a given note, but nothing assaulted my ears. We were going to sell it, but I'm considering selling off another one that we got from Paul Maybery a few years ago that really is stuffy.
scottw

PlayTheTuba wrote: ↑Wed Oct 18, 2023 5:55 pm Dang, no biiiiig and super old in tune Eb tuba.

Indeed, gigantic bass tubas are always a bad idea.

I mean, to be honest, I have one of those Kanstuls, and ... it could be worse. Ha ha. It is for sure a better tuba than I am a tuba player. But if you have really high standards for a bass tuba, I just think it's crazy to think the "bigger is better" rule is going to bring any joy.

A continuously graduated bore, however ... well, maybe not.

donn wrote: ↑Thu Oct 19, 2023 3:29 am

PlayTheTuba wrote: ↑Wed Oct 18, 2023 5:55 pm Dang, no biiiiig and super old in tune Eb tuba.

Indeed, gigantic bass tubas are always a bad idea.

I'd have to disagree. In the case of my own big-ass Eb, as well as Wessex' Tubby, both started as the old "monster" Eb tuba body (19 or 20 inch bell), but instead of the relatively dinky original valve set, we switched them out to the newer, common 19mm-20mm-21.5mm valve set. Greatly improved response, resonance and intonation.

Well, I think since Eb's in general is less popular, not as much research and development, ie time and money is devoted towards them. Similar to how many American tuba manufacturers in the past didn't and for the one that remains still don't make as many CC tubas. And at times do not want to devote the proper resources to make sure the CC version is the best it could possibly be.

For example the King 1293 rotary Monster CC uses a 0.687 bore instead of the 0.750 like it's BBb sibling. And many people say the BBb version is waaay better, night and day different.
https://simonettitubacollection.com/ins ... y-ca-1936/

Or as discussed in the past when Conn used to make the 52j (18" bell), 54j (19" bell), and 56j (20" bell) CC tuba. Eastmon was willing to put more effort to make it closer to the better prototype that Matt Walters made.

Plus, 4/4 BBb's and CC's already fill the void well enough for a super large Eb or even F tubas to take that place.

@donn I do agree that bigger isn't always better.

But York took the time to figure out how to make a nice 6/4 CC, even when BBb's where all the rage and better thanks to years of R&D. Heck, Yorks large Eb's were also "better" than most too, ie the Kanstul.

I'm sure some of 6/4 factory Martin CC's where nice too, but I guess the York was better or more desirable. A little sad that York folded before the desire for their tubas exploded.

At least Wessex is/was willing to make a good 6/4 Eb tuba. If Wessex can stretch their R&D a little bit more just to figure out why the 4th valve doesn't respond as nicely like 1 and 3 combo I think they'd have something super spectacular. Assuming nothing gets ruined by altering the 4 valve tubing or bore etc.

Even though I've mentioned I don't want to get a horn made in China, the 6/4 Wessex would be an exception. But alas, the B&S 4097 CC (pt20) will be filling that spot plus I'm not made of money.

And... I am curious about other tuba manufacturers like Gronitz, Thein, and HS MUSUCAL from Brazil are doing...

EDIT: Well maybe York just figured out how to make a better large Eb then everyone else. Unlike my long explanation of CC tubas not receiving as much attention to detail like BBb tubas were.

I finally got round to freeing up valve caps (avoiding the trap of vice grips being the easiest pliers i could find, and using them only as pliers (like Galadriel, i shall diminish and go into the west eventually), but failing to keep them in the plane of rotation, or fully padding everything, so i scratched the outside casing) but alas, the old one has enough accumulated grime and tarnish, and perhaps thread damage, that i couldn't get the caps on it. So i will test the old one another day...

Anyway, @scottw, if for whatever reason ya expect to venture northward beyond the pale of New Jersey, let me know, and i'll be happy share what other "continuous conical bore" instruments i have accumulated.

And if course others are welcome too. Bein' lazy, i wouldn't mind coordinating a bit to share all the couturiers with all the interested parties (party?).

https://www.ebay.com/itm/335653712778