Posted by Gus Pratt on March 01, 2000 at 08:31:20:
In Reply to: Eb popularity posted by DaveC on March 01, 2000 at 08:02:11:
I think for some people the Eb is a good choice because it is a middle of road horn. You get a upper range like you do with the F, allowing you to play the melodic stuff, but you also get a decent fuller sound like you would a 4/4 CC. The second factor would pretty much be cost. Since the demand for used Eb tubas wasn't as large as used F's and CC's you used to be able to get them for a song. I owned 2 Besson Sovereigns about 15 years ago and 8 years ago and neither one cost me over $1500, and both were in excellent shape with only minor dings. I think the older large bore 4 valve Eb horns are still and extreme steal. When I get some money that'll be the next horn I purchase. Either Conn, York, Martin or Buescher.