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https://wessex-tubas.com/collections/eb ... tuba-te665

I think it looks a lot like @UncleBeer tuba.

Any thoughts or opinions?

Reminds me of Joe's Holton BBb. Short and "squished."

It's not based on his tuba, but if it plays anything like it, It's going to be very exciting. I would sell every tuba I own if I had a chance to buy a horn like his.

Can't wait to play this one. The price is higher than I was expecting, but let's see how good it is

I don't think I've seen a tuba with the engraving under the leadpipe before.

I suspect those of us with "larger" heads will not enjoy the location of the leadpipe in relation to the bell flare. As a former CB-50 owner I don't mind being closer to the end of the bell, but, it can impact how you hold the horn for sure. And yes, this is pricier than expected - let's see if it shows up in one of their "30% off" sales they run from time to time. Wessex usually isn't quiet about their development projects either, so this showing up now surprises me a bit.

The "66" in there made me check, to see if TE665HP was their Kanstul 66S. Not so much - same bell flare width, but the Kanstul has a 21/32 bore vs. Wessex 3/4, and possibly a little tighter bell. Bottom bow to leadpipe is 22", vs. Wessex 25"; the Wessex leadpipe looks longer, but probably not enough to account for the valve bore difference.

The Wessex people like using the same valve set from the "Chicago York" on other tubas like this one, the California F, and The big, expensive BBb. Not knocking them for it. I really liked the California F. Would probably have bought one if I didnt buy that Besson 983.

I know for sure that this tuba is NOT based off of Mr. Kleinsteuber's tuba.

Carl's tuba is almost a mythic legend because it's so good. The fact that wessex passed on an opportunity to base the new model on it is mind boggling. If the new tuba isnt close to being as good, that will be a very expensive mistake

Kind of like when they had the idea to make a rotary Eb, but chose to make a hybrid between the miraphone Starlite and the Norwegian star. It just wasn't good, and isn't even offered anymore, just 5 years later.

I guess we'll see.

I am aware that they foolishly didn't Unclebeer's tuba. But that doesn't change the fact that they look rather similar.

It could be the angle but to me, the bottom bow looks particularly small. I have several york/Holton bottom bows and they all look larger.

LeMark wrote: ↑Mon May 17, 2021 7:31 pm Carl's tuba is almost a mythic legend because it's so good. The fact that wessex passed on an opportunity to base the new model on it is mind boggling. If the new tuba isnt close to being as good, that will be a very expensive mistake

Kind of like when they had the idea to make a rotary Eb, but chose to make a hybrid between the miraphone Starlite and the Norwegian star. It just wasn't good, and isn't even offered anymore, just 5 years later.

I guess we'll see.

Is it good as in it is very in tune, or does it have a very good sound?

Yes, and effortless to play.

Best Eb I've ever played, and I've played a bunch of them.

Somewhere here, Soundcloud, YouTube, or possibly FB (I can't remember right now), there are some clips of Carl playing it, and it's incredible.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=7gg56mOtWz4&

Lch3 wrote: ↑Wed May 19, 2021 11:21 am https://youtube.com/watch?v=7gg56mOtWz4&

you da man!

Lch3 wrote: ↑Wed May 19, 2021 11:21 am https://youtube.com/watch?v=7gg56mOtWz4&

Thanks!

Lch3 wrote: ↑Wed May 19, 2021 11:21 am https://youtube.com/watch?v=7gg56mOtWz4&

Interesting orchestration, I like the contrabassoon, bass clarinet and bassoon playing together.

The first production instrument of this model has reached the US! For the coming week, it can be tried at Denton Big Brass in Denton, Texas. It will then be exhibited at the Texas Bandmasters' Association in San Antonio July 22-24. Then the tuba will make its way up to the Wessex showroom in Chicago.

I've played this horn. It's *good*! Plays easy, good intonation, big ol' sound.

UncleBeer wrote: ↑Mon Jul 12, 2021 8:36 pm The first production instrument of this model has reached the US! For the coming week, it can be tried at Denton Big Brass in Denton, Texas. It will then be exhibited at the Texas Bandmasters' Association in San Antonio July 22-24. Then the tuba will make its way up to the Wessex showroom in Chicago.

I've played this horn. It's *good*! Plays easy, good intonation, big ol' sound.

I’ll be at TBA. I’d love to try it. See you there.

I'm playing it in the morning!