Eastman EBE853 E-Flat Tuba

[Yadent]

I was following on the ‘other’ forum a post regarding the Eastman EBE853. There seemed to be a favorable response to that instrument. That was over a year ago. Has there been any other opinions/reviews on this horn? Does anyone out there own one and if so, how do they rate it in terms of intonation, ergonomics, playability in various ensemble settings?

[Snake Charmer]

There are still very few of this horn around and it is still listed as "coming soon" on the Eastman website, so at least my look on the instrument:
For me it had to replace my Besson 981, which I played for 25 years but had to sell her for ergonomic issues. Having some shoulder problems I am not longer able to reach the 4th valve on a 3+1 top-action tuba.
The Eastman plays in tune without weak notes, even 5th partial (g in the staff) is only very slightly flat and can easily played open (the Besson was a bit more work there). Eb over the staff needs enough air or a smaller bore mouthpiece. Normally I play a Sellmansberger Imperial, for longer playing high I prefer the Sellmansberger Solo with Profundo rim, this offers the same cup volume with a smaller bore (for the price of a bit less punch in the low register). Low register offers much more power than with the Besson.
The sound is slightly less "sweet" or "sheer beautiful" than on the Besson, but it was still my wife's choice of all played horns. And I can play much louder than on the Besson through the whole range.
In bigger wind bands the tone is present for the other players and I can hear myself as well. Unfortunatly my quintet is actually not playing with the trombone player working on the other side of the planet, but I made a little Corona-concert for some friends and the neighbours in their gardens playing duets with a clarinet. This worked also fine, it is easy to play her without killing everyone around.
Ergonomics: valves are in a comfortable angle, you don't have to bend your wrist like on the Yamaha 621 F or Wessex Gnagey Eb. I play for more comfort with a Hercules playing stand, the valves are easy to reach without contorting the upper body (but more far out to reach than on a rotary horn). Valves are long (due to compensation) and a bit heavy, so you can not use very light springs, but this is still in a lighter spring region. (the VERY heavy valves were one reason to sell my Nirschel CC years ago!). Valve buttons are big and nice to touch. For my personal comfort I added a lever to the 4th valve, so I can play it with the left hand. Even if I am used to have two keys on the right pinky on the ophicleide I am not able (or willing) to get used to four valves at the right hand.

[Yadent]

Thanks for your review. I love my Wilson 34000 but it is such a heavy beast to cart around, I am thinking about ‘downsizing’ to a less weighty, compensating horn. How long have you owned the Eastman?

[GC]

Eastman builds instruments worthy of respect, but it's hard to respect their sales department. Why do they take so long to put out pictures of their horns? There are instruments like the 835 that have almost no pictures anywhere on the web even though they've been out there for years.

[Yadent]

There is a picture of what I assume is an EBE853 at Milano music in Mesa, AZ....
https://milanomusic.com/eastman-ebe853-e-flat-tuba/

[Snake Charmer]

How long have you owned the Eastman?

I bought her in July 2019. I think there were only two available here in Germany (both at one shop), one laquered, one silver-plated. The laquered one had a nicer feel in playing and a sweeter sound, so I took her. She is a great do-everything horn with a feeling much more like an American CC, quite different to the top-action Besson (and all the copies).
And immediately after buying I ordered a proper gigbag. The factory foam case is so bulky that I had to fold down the rear bench in a Nissan Qashqai. In my beloved Mercedes 190 it would not have fitted at all!

[TubātōTubŏtō]

Thanks for all the info on this horn. I've been drooling over that model for about two years. Any chance we could see your lever set up?

[Snake Charmer]

Originally I fancied something in the style of the Twoba solution, but without the machinery I made it more low tech:
I used a 4mm aluminium plate and a 4mm screw to replace the valve button and a 4mm brass rod for the lever. I did not make measurements in advance, just made a template with a soft copper wire. After bending the grip region I cut a 4mm thread for the nuts. This is the second version, the first one was
slightly shorter, but I still keep it as a spare in the bag.

[TubātōTubŏtō]

I can't say I'm familiar with the other solution you mentioned, but I like the simplicity of yours. I also like that it leaves the pinky action completely unencumbered if you want to keep the 3rd slide accessible for low, sustained playing. Are you concerned about uneven wear on the piston?

[Snake Charmer]

The Twoba system is discussed in another post. It is a string system pulling the valves down from he underside, just for moving the valve button to another place on a piston horn. I would like to have the 4th valve lever somewhere between top bow and first valve, but my simple rod took just one hour for making.Tools needed: a vice, a saw, a file, a drill and a thread cutter. I would like to have a lathe and a milling machine...
I think it will not wear out the piston more than directly pushed. With every kind of valve operation you can just smash down a button/paddle or follow the technically defined movement with your finger. I prefer the second way for more effiency. And at least the pistons of my Besson were still round and and well-fitting after 25 years of playing.

[teditiks]

How long have you owned the Eastman?

I bought her in July 2019. I think there were only two available here in Germany (both at one shop), one laquered, one silver-plated. The laquered one had a nicer feel in playing and a sweeter sound, so I took her. She is a great do-everything horn with a feeling much more like an American CC, quite different to the top-action Besson (and all the copies).
And immediately after buying I ordered a proper gigbag. The factory foam case is so bulky that I had to fold down the rear bench in a Nissan Qashqai. In my beloved Mercedes 190 it would not have fitted at all!

I found this dormant thread and your post intrigued me. What shop in Germany sold/sells the Eastman 853?

Best regards
T

[Snake Charmer]

Musik Bertram in Freiburg/Brsg. A (or the?) silver one is still available!

[BRS]

.

[PlayTheTuba]

I think it plays quite nicely. Liked the 15 inch bell more for whatever reason.

[teditiks]

I think it plays quite nicely. Liked the 15 inch bell more for whatever reason.

That's quite intriguing, I have the 853 on my shortlist because it has a 17" bell, but more and more sources state it has a 15... what is correct regarding bell size?

[PlayTheTuba]

So according to Eastmans website the 851 has a 15" bell. The 853 has a 17" bell. Didn't realize they gave a slightly different model number. Even though I've been to Eastmans website a lot. Never quite clicked. But when I tried the 15" bell one at the Army Conference I believe it was still considered a prototype. I generally like the big bell flare American style tubas. But liked the 15" more though. Or it was the better of the 2 protypes to me.


Key of EEb, 4/4 size
.689" bore
17" yellow brass, upright bell
4 front-action pistons
Clear lacquer finish
Laskey 28K US mouthpiece
Deluxe case w/wheels
Available as EBE851
With a 15" bell
Available as EBE851S
Silver-plated with a 15" bell

[arpthark]

I wonder if the bell profile of the 15" bell is similar to the classic 15" bell Besson/B&H comp. eefers. Would be a fun option if so, if you prefer front action to top action.

*edited for correction

[teditiks]

So according to Eastmans website the 851 has a 15" bell. The 853 has a 17" bell. Didn't realize they gave a slightly different model number. Even though I've been to Eastmans website a lot. Never quite clicked. But when I tried the 15" bell one at the Army Conference I believe it was still considered a prototype. I generally like the big bell flare American style tubas. But liked the 15" more though. Or it was the better of the 2 protypes to me.


Key of EEb, 4/4 size
.689" bore
17" yellow brass, upright bell
4 front-action pistons
Clear lacquer finish
Laskey 28K US mouthpiece
Deluxe case w/wheels
Available as EBE851
With a 15" bell
Available as EBE851S
Silver-plated with a 15" bell

Thank you for the clarification. That explains the difference....

It looks like Eastman is a bit cheeky in the european market though, they promote the 853 with the 851 specs according to their website. And no 851 model to be found..

EBE853

Key of EEb, 4/4 size
.687" bore
15" yellow brass upright bell
4 front-action compensating pistons
Clear lacquer finish
Laskey 28K US mouthpiece
Deluxe case

Well, well, seems like I have to find one overseas if I stick with the 17" requirement...

[PlayTheTuba]

It looks like Eastman is a bit cheeky in the european market though, they promote the 853 with the 851 specs according to their website. And no 851 model to be found..

Interesting! The US or North American websites does in fact list the Eastman EBE853 E-flat tuba with the 17" bell far more than the 15" 851 if at all. Dillon Music at the time of this writing has a lacquer and silver 853 in stock on their website. I believe Dillon or another vendor brought a 853 in silver last year at the Army Band Conference that is hosted in Northern Virginia, US.

Buddy Roger's also has a silver one in stock according to their website.

Although, for those who want the 851 in the US, it probably has to be by request. Assuming a person is even aware of that option existing.

I wonder if the bell profile of the 15" bell is similar to the classic 15" bell Besson/B&H comp. eefers. Would be a fun option if so, if you prefer front action to top action.
*edited for correction

I think the bell profile might be similar? But I am not sure, we need someone to bring their classic Besson to compare! Although my Salvation Army tuba bell seems to measure 16" instead of 15. But then again the bell on my tuba is a little bent...