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To avoid cluttering up the helicon thread, I'm posting this here.

I'm considering getting a 4v helicon at some point. I typically play F tuba with my small Oktoberfest groups (as is traditional), but a helicon might make some gigs easier, especially for the occasional strolling gig (also German-approved). The helicon would need to be agile, easy to play, have good intonation, have a solid high range and a free-n-easy low range.

Besides Cerveny, a 4v helicon is hard to find. I've tried a couple Cerveny helicons over the years, and I had a good impression. But there aren't a lot of them floating around. Enter Wessex...

I have not tried the Eb yet. If it is comparable to F tuba in agility/ease of play, I could deal with the key of Eb. It would be miked most of the time, so needing it to be a big fat bass is not entirely necessary. LTrain had one for sale on the other site that really caught my eye, but I'm not pulling the trigger on anything yet.

I have tried the CC, and I really liked it. Need to play it again. The price is much higher than the Eb and BBb, and that might be a factor, depending on how the Eb and BBb play in comparison.

I have an open invitation to try the Eb and CC back to back (day trip/not too far).

I have spoken to a couple people about their BBb, but I have yet to try one, and I definitely want to know more about it.

If you have a Wessex helicon, will you please share your experience and opinions? If you prefer to speak privately, PM's or email are fine. Photos, videos, audio would be certainly be a welcomed bonus.

If you have a Wessex BBb helicon within day-trip distance from the Houston, TX area that you would be willing to let me try, I would gladly buy dinner or supper for the opportunity.

I'm not purposely leaving out other 4v helicons/frankencons. Those will be in the mix when/if I'm ready to buy something, but those are hard to find and aren't in current production. Please comment on those as well.

Thanks!

I really want to get my chops on the Wessex CC helicon when they add the fifth valve. I wonder if it will play as in tune as Bloke’s CC wonder-horn Helicon thing...

You might want to contact Carl up around Dallas. He's a Wessex dealer.

tubadude wrote: ↑Mon Sep 21, 2020 6:51 pm You might want to contact Carl up around Dallas. He's a Wessex dealer.

He’s my day trip.

Doc, I still have my 4-valve BBb Helicon that Harvey built for me. You're more than welcome to make the drive and try it out. It IS for sale.
I've played Bloke's EEb helicon, it was a bit tight for me to put it on. While my girth is not the same as yours, my arms are considerably longer and that did make things a bit more difficult for me. Richard Murrow has played my Helicon and it was not a pretty sight watching him put on my Helicon.

Schlepporello wrote: ↑Mon Sep 21, 2020 9:04 pm Doc, I still have my 4-valve BBb Helicon that Harvey built for me. You're more than welcome to make the drive and try it out. It IS for sale.
I've played Bloke's EEb helicon, it was a bit tight for me to put it on. While my girth is not the same as yours, my arms are considerably longer and that did make things a bit more difficult for me. Richard Murrow has played my Helicon and it was not a pretty sight watching him put on my Helicon.

I can't say I've gotten any smaller during Coronamadness, but that won't deter me from trying some helicons.

I remember you having yours for sale. Is there a link to the ad, or are the pics posted somewhere? It's been a while, and I've slept since then.

I think I had an ad at "that other place", but it's probably gone by now. I also had it on Craigslist for a while, it's probably gone from there as well. We're in Branson right now. If I have pics on my laptop, ill try to post an ad on this board tonight when we get in from seeing The Haygoods.

Schlepporello wrote: ↑Tue Sep 22, 2020 8:56 am I think I had an ad at "that other place", but it's probably gone by now. I also had it on Craigslist for a while, it's probably gone from there as well. We're in Branson right now. If I have pics on my laptop, ill try to post an ad on this board tonight when we get in from seeing The Haygoods.

Thanks. No rush.

Enjoy Branson! The Haygoods put on a fun show. If you slip out to Indian Point by the lake, say hi to my uncle and cousin at Bavarian Village (vacation cabins, boats, dock, etc.).