TubaForum.net

I’ve been looking online at smaller rotary Bb’s.
Mack Brass previously had a TU220, John Packer has a JP379B which has favourable comments on here, (I’ve tried the piston 3/4 179 and it’s too small in sound similar to a 3/4 Eb).
Thomann who doesn’t ship tubas internationally has one too but would avoid anyways. Arnold’s & Sons currently stocked in Europe has a similar tuba stamped ABB 220. The Arnold’s could be the compromise in terms of playability and cost.
I don’t want anything too big, 9kilos needs to be rotary
I play in an intermediate level concert band down under
Thoughts and suggestions welcome thanks

I have the packer. If you have any questions about it let me know

It's based on a cerveny arion, so if you see one of those, it would be a good option too

Thank you Lemark,
The Arion is probably a long shot in Australia, the packer 379B no one seems to have one but can be imported, that’s why looking at other copies like Arnold’s & Sons stencil.
Q. How does the 379 sit on your lap balance wise?
Do you like the sound and volume, is it versatile enough? ( I’m usually an Eb player but my new Gnagey is an ergonomic disaster) im looking at a compromise option as I’m small in stature so reaching the 4th v on a Besson style 3+1 Eb comp doesn’t work I had a courtois 181 once… so I’m thinking Bb will give me enough heft I’m looking for.

the 379 plays very much like an old 186 when thy still had the 16 inch bell. Of my 4 tubas, A cerveny 601, a cerveny 68, a medium sized conn Eb, and the Packer, I would put it only behind the 601 for thickness of sound

It balances well, and I like that I can get it in and out of my truck easy (I'm a private teacher and that's important)

right after I got it I put a play sample on youtube. It's nothing fancy, but I think it gives an idea of what it sounds like.
by the way, I'm 6 foot 8, so it might look a little smaller on my that most people

By the way, I had a similar tuba make by Jinbao in china and sold by wessex. The tone was nice and the intonation was good, but the valves were terrible and I almost had to give it away to get rid of it.

Hi Mark,
I couldn’t get a JP379 shipped to Australia and comparable Czech models were out of my budget, but I was able to import a Josef Lidl 701 Bb from FMB Germany.
It’s compact but fairly open wrap on tuning slides with a lovely warm sound.
It’s very nice to play, great valves (after a water flush) and ergonomically probably the best 4v tuba for me, given my small hands and peripheral neuropathy. Although not as powerful as the Eb Gnagey, I don’t miss operating the thumb valve + 4th pinky at same time for the lower notes it’s so much easier on this Bb.
Lee Stofer speaks highly of the 701 and gave me some useful info too.
Thanks again for your previous comments.
Cheers, Le