Posted by Mark E. Chachich on October 21, 2003 at 16:50:01:
In Reply to: Meinl Weston 32 posted by Tim C on October 21, 2003 at 01:28:36:
The MW 32 or 30 are, in my opinion, good solid tubas (made well, play well, excellent general purpose tubas). I have never had any problem playing one in tune. As for out of date; what works is good, what does not is not good. These were very popular back in the 1970s (along with the Mirafone 186, another fine tuba). I have found that the choice of mouthpiece is important on this tuba. I play a Bach 18 and get a good low end and enough bite in the sound to be heard. A Bach 7 produced a dark but unfocused sound and a small mouthpiece did not let the overtones speak. Another point with these tubas is that you must play the low end gently (relax and use a lot of slow air)to get it to speak or it can have a very stuffy low end. What is a good price, that depends on how good you sound on that particular tuba and how much you like it. As with any tuba, see how it works for you.
good luck,
Dr. Mark E. Chachich