Re: Which horn??


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Posted by What sound do you want? on July 11, 2001 at 23:36:32:

In Reply to: Which horn?? posted by tubadude on July 11, 2001 at 19:50:33:

There are big, medium and small Eb and F tubas. You'll get a different sound out of these, depending on size, on shape, on material, on valve type, etc. etc.

If you want an Eb to sound like a euph, buy a Besson 777 3/4 Eb. But it only has 3 valves. If you want an F to sound like a euph (more or less), try the MW 182, or perhaps the Yamaha YFB-621. These horns sound like a euph on steriods (actually, they probably sound like an instrument "half way" in between euph and contrabass).

If you want an Eb to sound like a small CC, try the Willson. For an F, try the Yamaha YFB-822, or the Willson F.

Do you want your bass tuba to help you sound just like you do on your contrabass? If so, pick a BIG Eb or F. Now, you're using your bass tuba to help you (a little) with the higher passages, but with your normal, "characteristic", consistent sound.

Do you want your bass tuba to sound much lighter, more "lyrical"? Do you want a significantly different sound from it than from your CC? Look for a 4/4 or 3/4 size F.

Check out both the Yamaha / Willson F tubas, vs. the "Germanic" rotary F tubas. In spite of our lack of ability to put the differences in writing (smile), many of us firmly believe there is a "sweetness", a "noble-ness", a "lyrical-ness" about the rotary F tubas that isn't present from the Yamaha or Willson F tubas. YMMV.\

Happy hunting,

Steve Inman
Kokomo, IN



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