Posted by Rick Denney on December 30, 2002 at 12:11:35:
In Reply to: Re: Re: Opinions & suggestions, Please. posted by dp on December 30, 2002 at 11:43:44:
I know that you asked Roger, but I have compared both. They each have a very similar sound, but the Weril is not as free-blowing, (or should I say it's a bit stuffier). The Yamaha can make a bit bigger sound. It also has different ergonomics, because the valve body of the Weril isn't arranged the same way.
In terms of build quality, the Weril is built to be inexpensive. The Yamaha is built to be solid but not pretty. Both are well built to their particular objectives. Neither show the hand work one would expect of a high-end tuba. But the Yamahas I've played had a red-brass leadpipe and nickel slide sleeves and small-tube ferrules. Is it worth more than twice the price? That's up to the buyer. But there are differences--the Weril's bell and outer branches are copies (not clones) of the Yamaha, but everything else is different, including the tuning slide in the leadpipe.
Rick "not particularly a fan of either instrument in BBb" Denney