Posted by Richard Evans on May 12, 2001 at 05:21:09:
Hello,
I am a Eb tuba/bass player from the uk, and looking to buy a new instrument (no more than £4,500 - around $6,000?) when I leave school to go to music college (as I can no longer rent the one I use now). At the moment I play in a brass band and orchestra, and I am looking to do more ensemble playing, as it is I use my Eb tuba for everything, and I would like to do the same with my new one. Unfortunately I know very little about tubas (even after reading the stuff already posted) and would be grateful if you could give your views on the following. Would you recommend transferring from Eb to C (considering what kind of playing I do). Rotary or piston valves? Front facing or vertical?
At the moment I am looking at:
Yamaha 632 (maestro)
Besson 981 (sovereign - concert)
Besson 983 (front facing valves)
Miraphone G37 (12614)
Conn 87J (rotary valves)
(all in Eb)
or
VMI CC tuba of some kind, or any others you may recommed
Sorry for such a long message!
Thanks in advance
Richard "I know nothing about tubas" Evans