Eastman 534 vs the 562

[Lch3]

The 534 BBb is bought and paid for. It's MINE.

but... the Eastman dealer in my area let me know the same day that I paid for the 534 that they just got a 562 in stock, and I could come by and play it in case I had any hesitation about the 534. I didn't, but I still wanted to try one.

Holy mother of God. the 562 has a larger bore but a slightly smaller bell, and it's a taller instrument than the 534, but not nearly as tall as the Miraphone 186, which is its main competition. A little more of a focused tone, not quite as broad, but intonation is marvelous, and the response was lightning quick, as were the valves. I have to admit the low range was more free blowing than my 534, feeling more like a BBb version of my Beloved Piggy.

I had to remind myself that in addition to how it played, I chose the 534 because I wanted a compact BBb for small practice rooms, and I already owned a nice gig bag that it would fit into.

If it wasn't for those two factors, it would have been a very difficult afternoon, as they said I free to exchange them if I wanted to. I can see why @rodgeman raved about his 562 so much.

Where were BBb tubas like this when I was in college? These kind of tubas would have 2nd guessed my motivation for switching to CC.

https://www.eastmanwinds.com/ebb562

https://www.eastmanwinds.com/ebb534

[jtm]

What was available when you were in college?

They were handing out BBb 186s when I signed up for tuba/euphonium ensemble class for fun, which seemed pretty nice to me, but I was a non music major putting most of my attention on bassoon, so I wasn’t picky.

[LeMark]

This is going to seem rather controversial, but both of these horns play better than a 186.

The 534 feels like the prototype 2341 I played in the late 90's in Eastlake, which at the time was the best BBb tuba I had ever played, and the 562 reminds me of the miraphone hagen 496, but slightly smaller. It's what the 495 hagen wishes it was

[Sousaswag]

Pictures??

In all seriousness, I’ve never liked the 186, 191, or new style 2341. I’m glad Eastman is catering to the BBb side of tuba as well. When I was in HS, we had crappy Yamaha 641 and 321 tubas, some of the worst out there.

Getting a school tuba that plays like these Eastmans will be a game changer for those kids wanting to play, and play well, not limited by the instrument.

The sweet spot for BBb is, to me, the old-old American makes, such as those top-piston Yorks, big Holtons, and detachable bell Kings.

Nowadays, BBb is cool, so manufacturers are actually putting R&D into them. The newer Miraphone models are killer. So are the Eastman tubas. But Eastman wins in cost.

[LeMark]

Sorry, forgot to take pics

Chris Olka has an excellent video covering the 562 of anyone is interested.



So does our very own doc

[Dents Be Gone!]

I agree, guys. This is the way to go.

[LeMark]

That's true and it sells for less than 10k, which is rare these days for a German made tuba.

[cktuba]

The 562, appears, to be an adaptation of the B&S GR-51. Which is (IMHO) the best contrabass tuba B&S makes (followed closely by the PT-6 rotary and maybe the Mr. P... but I've never gotten to play agood example of the Mr. P). Years ago I owned a rotary MW 2155... AWESOME sound... absolutely CRAPPY intonation. The GR-51 is the in tune cousin of that horn. The Eastman 562 and 825 are Eastman's evolution of those horns. I played a 562 once and loved it. I toyed around with switching back to BBb for that horn. If you are a BBb player and don't particularly care to switch to CC... there really is no need. With horns out there like the Eastman 562, 825, B&S GR-51, Miraphone 496 and the Eastman 534 (for that 4/4 compact American style horn that punches above it's weight class) there are BBb tuba choices that play extremely well.

[ParLawGod]

This is going to seem rather controversial, but both of these horns play better than a 186.

The 534 feels like the prototype 2341 I played in the late 90's in Eastlake, which at the time was the best BBb tuba I had ever played, and the 562 reminds me of the miraphone hagen 496, but slightly smaller. It's what the 495 hagen wishes it was

I agree. I sold both my 186's to buy my 562, and echo your thoughts on response and intonation.

[PlayTheTuba]

Well there was a reason I mentioned those Eastman models and the B&S GR51 over a Yamaha 641 that I enthusiasticly despise in a rant a while back.

But I do think the 534 and 562 (& the GR51) give players/people amazing options of their desired sound, response, etc when sticking with BBb tubas. Well the Miraphones too of course.

@LeMark Glad you liked it!

[TubātōTubŏtō]

Didn't realize these were shorter than a 186. How tall ARE they?

[LeMark]

The gr51 is listed as being 38.5 inches, so I would assume the 562 is right about that.

The miraphone is closer to 40"

[bloke]

The prices are close enough to where if I was in the market for that size rotary tuba and that design of rotary tuba in B flat, I would just pay the little bit more and buy the German made one.

[LeMark]

I didn't exactly play full retail. But if you were, you're right, the gr51 sells for a very reasonable price

[bloke]

I don't exactly buy stuff new, but that isn't the point. The best prices I see advertised online for the German one versus the really similar Chinese one are only about $1,500 apart.

I haven't played the Chinese version, but I have played the German version. To me it's pretty much a B flat version of a rotary 5450. They're just fine.

[LeMark]

The tuono? Probably my favorite CC tuba of all time. That's high praise

[jtm]

The B&S “original” (which is actually based on a B&F) is a really nice tuba. Super intonation, quick response, and big, resonant sound.

“A tuba deserving wider recognition.”

Which tuba is this?

[LeMark]

The B&S GR-51

[jtm]

The B&S GR-51

Thanks, Mark.

[Three Valves]

Thems are some good ones!