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I'm in the market for a CC 5v (piston) tuba, 5/4 or largish 4/4. Been playing a Getzen CB-50 mostly. I haven't bought a tuba in about 15 years. Formerly had a Willson 3050 that I generally liked but am looking for something less heavy and more resonant. I'm thinking perhaps MW 5450 Thor or Miraphone 129x. Looking for leads and advice. Not sure where to find some to try. WW&BW used to stock a bunch, but it looks like they are out of business :-(. Any thoughts on good models to try and where? Is ITEC the only place that has a lot of horns to try? Haven't been to an ITEC since 2002 (man I'm getting old). I'm located in northern Colorado (near Fort Collins).

ITEC is good, as is Midwest (next week).

Going with a 5450 is a good bet. Love those horns to death. I've owned both the Thor and Tuono, can't go wrong.

Baltimore Brass has a Thor for about $10K. Good price for what it is. I wouldn't be afraid of buying one of those sight unseen, either. They are heavy, though. Most 5/4 horns are.

The Miraphones are pretty good. Not super heavy, either. Ultimately, take your pick. They all have their fans and haters.

cskatz wrote: ↑Mon Dec 16, 2024 4:20 pm I'm in the market for a CC 5v (piston) tuba, 5/4 or largish 4/4. Been playing a Getzen CB-50 mostly. I haven't bought a tuba in about 15 years. Formerly had a Willson 3050 that I generally liked but am looking for something less heavy and more resonant. I'm thinking perhaps MW 5450 Thor or Miraphone 129x. Looking for leads and advice. Not sure where to find some to try. WW&BW used to stock a bunch, but it looks like they are out of business :-(. Any thoughts on good models to try and where? Is ITEC the only place that has a lot of horns to try? Haven't been to an ITEC since 2002 (man I'm getting old). I'm located in northern Colorado (near Fort Collins).

I'm on my second CB-50, and in between I've owned a 1291 and spent a LOT of time looking at a 5450 (among others). I really liked my 1291 but it never felt special in terms of the sound, just good. I didn't care for the 1292 but the 1293 intrigues me. I also spent a lot of time picking my 1291 out of a batch of new ones, and it wasn't until the 5th one that I found one I liked. The 5450 is definitely better for larger ensembles than a CB-50, but, if you've not talked to Lee Stofer about the modifications he developed for the CB-50 you really should, it makes instrument more resonant and easier to play. I have a detailed list of his modifications I can share as well. I refer to that horn as my "easy button". If you're definitely swapping out the CB-50 then the 5450 is a pretty safe "buy it blind" instrument.

If you jump in the car you could make it to Midwest in Chicago this week and try out BUNCHES of instruments.

Try a Wessex Wyvern. I was looking at other tubas but had to be more financially responsible. I DO NOT REGRET that decision. It's a GREAT horn. Sound, intonation and response are fantastic. Construction is VERY good. Would I rather have a rotary horn? Yes... but the huge piston buttons are very nice and allow for a comfortable hand position. I'm not going to just say go buy one blind (like I did... but with many recommendations from tuba playing friends whose names you might recognize). But, I think after you try one you'll see why I like mine so much.

cktuba wrote: ↑Tue Dec 17, 2024 7:52 am Try a Wessex Wyvern.

These are great horns at a reasonable price. Demo up at Midwest if you're there.

kingrob76 wrote: ↑Mon Dec 16, 2024 10:41 pm The 5450 is definitely better for larger ensembles than a CB-50, but, if you've not talked to Lee Stofer about the modifications he developed for the CB-50 you really should, it makes instrument more resonant and easier to play. I have a detailed list of his modifications I can share as well. I refer to that horn as my "easy button". If you're definitely swapping out the CB-50 then the 5450 is a pretty safe "buy it blind" instrument.

If you jump in the car you could make it to Midwest in Chicago this week and try out BUNCHES of instruments.

Thanks! I'll probably keep the CB-50 but use the larger horn for most things. Are the CB-50 mods posted online somewhere?

Would love to attend the Midwest but not possible this year... Perhaps the Texas conference.

cskatz wrote: ↑Wed Dec 18, 2024 7:03 pm Would love to attend the Midwest but not possible this year... Perhaps the Texas conference.

Wyvern will be at TMEA as well.

cskatz wrote: ↑Mon Dec 16, 2024 4:20 pm II'm thinking perhaps MW 5450 Thor or Miraphone 129x. Looking for leads and advice. Not sure where to find some to try. WW&BW used to stock a bunch, but it looks like they are out of business :-(. Any thoughts on good models to try and where? Is ITEC the only place that has a lot of horns to try? Haven't been to an ITEC since 2002 (man I'm getting old). I'm located in northern Colorado (near Fort Collins).

I would recommend trying to make it out to the Tuba-Euphonium Workshop if you are able. There's usually a good selection of used and new horns as well. Wessex is normally there, Baltimore Brass usually brings their whole inventory, and I'll have a few horns there with my store.
I've got a used Meinl Weston 5450 we took in trade recently that is a nice playing horn. Send me an email at aaron.smith@chucklevins.com if you would like more details.

Olka video:
I'm not implying ANY sort of "me and Chris" ANYTHING...
...but (yeah), I've shortened 5th circuits on a couple of my own tubas...if not for the same reasons as his, for some other ones which allowed for "more options".
I like tubing circuits on tubas (and - for that matter - entire tubas) that can be BOTH too long AND too short.

ChuckLevinsWMC wrote: ↑Fri Dec 20, 2024 5:26 pm I would recommend trying to make it out to the Tuba-Euphonium Workshop if you are able.

Which workshop do you mean? When and where? Thanks.

cskatz wrote: ↑Mon Dec 23, 2024 11:13 am

ChuckLevinsWMC wrote: ↑Fri Dec 20, 2024 5:26 pm I would recommend trying to make it out to the Tuba-Euphonium Workshop if you are able.

Which workshop do you mean? When and where? Thanks.

https://usarmyband.com/workshops/tuba-e ... m-workshop

cskatz wrote: ↑Mon Dec 16, 2024 4:20 pm I'm in the market for a CC 5v (piston) tuba, 5/4 or largish 4/4. Been playing a Getzen CB-50 mostly. I haven't bought a tuba in about 15 years. Formerly had a Willson 3050 that I generally liked but am looking for something less heavy and more resonant. I'm thinking perhaps MW 5450 Thor or Miraphone 129x. Looking for leads and advice. Not sure where to find some to try. WW&BW used to stock a bunch, but it looks like they are out of business :-(. Any thoughts on good models to try and where? Is ITEC the only place that has a lot of horns to try? Haven't been to an ITEC since 2002 (man I'm getting old). I'm located in northern Colorado (near Fort Collins).

Baltimore Brass has a Meinl Weston Thor (10k) and a MW2000 (16k).

TMEA and The Army Conference are probably your best bets if MidWest didn't align with your schedule this year.

Sorry for leaving out details about the Army Workshop.

Just posted the Thor over in the Retail Marketplace, this community is getting first "dibs" before it goes up on Reverb.

viewtopic.php?p=102077#p102077

I was in Redmond WA Monday and got to try three tubas at "The Mighty Quinn", namely an Eastman EBC-836 (6/4), an Eastman EBC-832 (4/4), and a Willson 3060 Merlin. All three are good horns. I'm tempted by both Eastmans. Unfortunately, I had to play in a little acoustic booth so couldn't get a sense for how they would sound in a big space. Any thoughts on the Eastmans or comparable alternatives?

For some reason, Willson likes to call the 3060 a 5/4 when it is clearly 4/4. The Eastman 4/4 was significantly "larger" and much closer to 5/4 than the Willson is.