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I saw the buzz about this tuba in the Midwest clinic thread, but didn’t want to step on it. So I thought I’d start this separate thread.

I played two versions of this new model in the factory last October. It’s based on a preexisting bugle that is already great. These are just slightly rewrapped to help ergonomics, along with a few other important improvements.

Without going too far into the specifics, I’m going to predict that this model will be one of the most successful designs to come out since the Miraphone 186/188. If I’m right, big “props” to Chuck Kerrigan and the rest of the design team at Eastman.

Short story is that it’ll be the “do it all” horn for players who don’t want or need a large orchestra horn and small bass tuba pairing. The two versions I played had great pitch, easy low range, colorful tone, and immediate response. One had a 17-ish inch bell and the other an almost 19 inch bell. I liked both equally. I don’t know if both sizes will be offered.

That’s all the news I know currently. I can’t wait to get one myself.

Merry Christmas

Cool! I wonder if anyone happened to snap a photo of the one at Midwest… I’d love to see what it looks like!

Is this horn rotary? I'm not at all in the market, and I don't play CC, but I'm still curious.

It is a four piston, one rotary CC tuba.

Can you share any details about the "style" of instrument the 834 is shaping up to be?

IE, is it going to be similar to a PT-6p / Thor where it's a 5/4 tuba with a heavy, dense sound, or similar to the 632/832 where it's a 4/4 with a broader, fluffy sound, or something else?

I'm interested to see if Eastman is looking to improve on an existing sound concept or combine a few different things into something new entirely.

Combination is an appropriate description from what I've been told. Sorry I can't be more specific but the model is still in early prototype status. I haven't seen or played one yet but I'm excited to give it a go.

Picturing a crapton of tuba players, running around with an eye out.

Before I die, I’d like to see ONE viola player, successfully complete a parallel parking maneuver.

Before I die, I’d like to see ONE viola player, successfully complete a parallel parking maneuver.
[/quote]

My former viola playing girlfriend of many years was a terrific driver and could parallel park. However, for the last - I don't know - 20 years or so, she's been living in London with her husband. They rarely ever rent a car. Anyway, we meet for lunch once or twice per year, when she comes back to visit her mother and sister - both of whom are still in California. She borrows her mom's car when she's here. I must say, she made a parallel park with me in the car that wasn't too impressive - a bit rusty I would say. I taught her to drive a stick-shift when she was 18. She was a terrific driver back in the day.

Schlitzz wrote: ↑Tue Jan 07, 2025 10:34 pm Picturing a crapton of tuba players, running around with an eye out.

I'll never forget a NYC dixieland gig, playing "Ain't She Sweet", getting to the bridge "Oh cast an eye...in her direction" and the vocalist makes a throwing motion. I had to stop playing.

viewtopic.php?p=87531#p87531

catgrowlB wrote: ↑Mon Jan 27, 2025 3:12 pm viewtopic.php?p=87531#p87531

Seems like they’ve tweaked the design.

The Eastman EBC834 could be a winner. It seems like it’ll give players a solid, all-around option without needing to go for a larger or smaller pairing.

I made a specific point to see this horn at the Army Workshop this past weekend.

It's amazing. Playing it is like pressing the "Easy" button. I asked Chuck Kerrigan what they were trying to accomplish with this horn and he said they they were trying to build a 4/4 CC tuba that had a sound than the 632 / 832, something that more easily "lit up" a microphone without having to play as loud. The brass is thicker than the 6/832's, the bell has less flare, and I think the bugle was sourced from a Willson. If the production models match this prototype, this will easily be the 4/4 piston CC I recommend to anyone looking for a new 4/4 "do it all" CC.

I also played the EBC 834 this weekend at the Army workshop and although I’m far from an expert, I thought it was the best 5/4 CC piston tuba I’ve ever played. The only 5/4 horn that I like better is the Meinl Tuono, which is clearly a very different beast. I think this is going to be a big hit if the production models play like that first sample.

Pictures.... we need pictures. I feel like this thing is sitting in a hanger at Lockheed Martin Skunkworks or Wright-Patterson AFB. I keep waiting for some Lt. Col. somewhere to come out and say you guys saw a weather balloon.

Nobody took pictures? I agree, this thing is like a celebrity who has a security guard preventing anybody from taking pictures.

I’m curious about the size of this tuba. When I think 5/4, the true 5/4 tubas are the Pt6(P) and the 5450(RA).

Is this a true 5/4 like those above, or a “5/4” that’s really anybody else’s 4/4… Sort of like the Miraphone piston tubas.

Wait! I think someone finally forwarded a picture to me. It's a bit blurry....

I have a picture That I will try posting later if I remember, but it is about the same size as a Meinl Weston 2155/2000 and the new Yamaha 632. So I would put it in that "Larger 4/4" or "Smaller 5/4" category. It does play VERY well and super easy.

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/e8qp3nye ... syh8e&dl=0

Sorry, it’s not the best picture, but i am just under 6 foot as kind of a scale. It is only a touch bigger than the new Yamaha 623, but it definitely has a little bit more broad/big sound.

The wrap seems to be very similar to the MW 2155.