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I’m 3 months in on my Eastman 825vg. Very happy. Using a Laskey 32b. Good fit for me. I see no need for a c tuba for my needs

I am very happy with mine.

The only reason I sold the 562 was to get a 496. Otherwise, it was a very good instrument.

Hey doc, can you compare those two directly? What do you feel the hagen does better than the 562? Am I right in saying they feel similar, but the miraphone is larger?

LeMark wrote: ↑Sat Apr 06, 2024 5:52 am Hey doc, can you compare those two directly? What do you feel the hagen does better than the 562? Am I right in saying they feel similar, but the miraphone is larger?

The Hagen is bigger in most respects. It plays like a 5/4 tuba, whereas the 562 plays like a 4/4+. The Hagen has a deeper, richer, broader sound; it isn’t a 497, but it can punch pretty big. The 496 has a larger bore, and I prefer that.

The Miraphone valves are superb. And my 496 is a 5v, whereas the 562 was a 4v. I don’t require a 5th valve on a BBb, but I am SO glad I got one. The new upgraded model based on the 562 with 5v and bigger bell will likely be a really good instrument, but for a few dollars more, the 496 should be considered.

I also like that I can easily get a variety of sounds from the 496. Soft and round, light and flowing, or a true angry kaisertuba/daisy-cutter. The 562 is pliable in terms of sound, but not nearly as much as the 496.

The intonation and response on the 496 are superior, but the 562 was VERY good.

While there are no flies on the 562, the 496 felt, looked, and sounded like an upgrade. I do not regret getting the 496 at all. Had I not been able to afford it, I would have kept rocking the 562.

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Dillon's here in the US lists a 825G for $7,922.40 (lacquer) although they have a demo horn for $4995.00. They list a 496 for $10635.00.

peterbas wrote: ↑Wed Apr 10, 2024 2:52 pm Isn't the price difference a lot greater?
Here in Europe a 496 costs 11.000€ for a 4 valve.
Eastman 562 is 6.000€ and the 825VG (5 valve) is 6.700€, the difference is a lot more than a few dollars.

Different parts of the world have different price structures.
I continue to claim (ok: OPINION) that Yamaha stuff (based on what it is, and how much of it is built) is roughly 110% overpriced (here)...YET they have name recognition.
That having been said (based on what I've seen online, and I'm prepared to be corrected) that just about the most expensive place to buy Yamaha stuff is Japan.

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The US site only shows a CC version of the Thunderbird. My bandmate plays one and loves it. He says it’s just as nimble as a 4/4 CC, but has the output of the 6/4 when needed.

Mack’s US site lists their YorkaZo 5000 5/4 as the largest BBb option:
https://mackbrass.com/tu5000-5%2F4-bbb-tuba-zo

It does seem to be very easy to avoid paying full retail on them. I certainly didn't