Am I missing something in the description? I don't see a reference to Schiller.
Am I missing something in the description? I don't see a reference to Schiller.
Dave Werden (ASCAP)
Euphonium Soloist, U.S. Coast Guard Band, retired
Adams Artist (Adams E3)
Alliance Mouthpiece (DC3)
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Yes, that's exactly what it looks like: what was referred to at the time as a "baby tuba". And everything said about the intonation here describes the history of this instrument. To add one more anecdote ...
I was VERY tempted by this instrument several years ago when Tom McGrady of Mac Brass was selling them (along with all the other US importers). I really wanted a tenor tuba, and this looked like such a great little horn.
I had a LONG talk with Tom on the phone and he warned me off it. He said that at that time he was no longer selling them, had put his last one up on Ebay at a seriously reduced price and with warnings, and warned that it would take a lot of work to make the horn really usable -- and even then it might not be successful. Instead, he suggested I buy the compensating euph from him or from Jim Laabs -- saying that it would do the job I wanted and be an excellent instrument. This was one of the best decisions I've made.
Gary Merrill
Wessex EEb Bass tuba (DW 3XL or 2XL)
Mack Brass Compensating Euph (DE N106, Euph J, J9 euph)
Amati Oval Euph (DE 104, Euph J, J6 euph)
1924 Buescher 3-valve Eb tuba (with std US receiver), Kelly 25
Schiller American Heritage 7B clone bass trombone (DE LB K/K10/112/14 Lexan, Brass Ark MV50R)
1947 Olds "Standard" trombone (Olds #3)
Gotta high-five Tom McGrady for calling like it is in spite of losing a sale... that's integrity!
Demand drives supply so I suppose there is no market for a C euphonium with proper intonation then. Would be a interesting science project to cut a Bb euphonium to C (with the understanding that valve slides, as well, would have to be addressed). Agreed, Tom is an awesome guy, stand-up business person, and accomplished musician willing to share his knowledge without being condescending (personal experience)
Bob Tampa FL USA
Euph -- 1984 B&H Round Stamp Sovereign 967 / 1978 Besson NS 767 / Early 90s Sterling MP: 4AL and GW Carbonaria
Tuba -- 2014 Wisemann 900 CC / 2013 Mack 410 MP: Blokepiece Symphony American Shank and 33.2 #2 Rim
There was at least one thread in the past year or so attesting to the fact that C euphoniums are used in (as I recall) Spain and maybe Portugal -- and perhaps some other parts of Europe. So they are being made and sold. It appears that the market for them is not large compared to the more common Bb instruments.
Gary Merrill
Wessex EEb Bass tuba (DW 3XL or 2XL)
Mack Brass Compensating Euph (DE N106, Euph J, J9 euph)
Amati Oval Euph (DE 104, Euph J, J6 euph)
1924 Buescher 3-valve Eb tuba (with std US receiver), Kelly 25
Schiller American Heritage 7B clone bass trombone (DE LB K/K10/112/14 Lexan, Brass Ark MV50R)
1947 Olds "Standard" trombone (Olds #3)
I bought one of these from wessex a couple of years ago, and I will dog pike the testimony of horrible intonation. . The thing doesn't have a usable scale, and I returned it, and expressed public dissatisfaction with Jonathan for selling such a terrible instrument
He gave me my money back and stopped selling the horns
I was looking at these when I was switching to euphonium because it was like my Mirafone tuba. I contacted Wessex-tubas and got this reply:
"I don't think I have any tenor tubas remaining, but I could check storage. Some customers found the intonation challenging, and we've not yet found a similar instrument with better qualities.
Best wishes,
Andy Loree"
And later went with my King. However there are Miraphone (yes there are two spellings. I think it is Mirafone for the US until the 1990s and Miraphone after for all.) tenor tubas that come up from time to time. Horn Guys sells them new.
Cerveny BBb Kaiser Tuba
__________________________
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― Ludwig van Beethoven
I confirm Wessex has stopped selling these because the intonation is really not good enough - particularly in Bb.
I believe we might have one left in store if anyone wants (very cheap) as a wall hanging...
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"Challenging" in this case is a euphemism for "impossible"!