Posted by Matt Walters on May 17, 2001 at 16:23:52:
In Reply to: amati f-tuba posted by Harald Masche on May 17, 2001 at 09:23:57:
The Amati AEB 211 Eb tuba is a nice playing little, 3 valve top action Eb tuba. Good enough that I asked Amati, USA to check on making an AFB212 F tuba but with 4 valves. I could sell at least 7 of them to Jazz tubists alone! Alas, the factory said no to my request. They probably don't believe me when I say there is a little niche for this horn. Guys like Howard Johnson insist that a top action horn is quicker on the fingers and this 31.3" tall with 13.8" upright bell is very similar in size to the old top action Besson F tubas. If you wanted to order a 3 valve F tuba, I would suggest spending about $90 more and get the AFB 212A with the optional Eb slide. Besides Dillon Music, any tuba dealer can special order it for you.
Matt