I had not noticed this instrument previously. I'm really puzzled about what the niche demographic is for it -- wondering in particular what it really offers compared to a large bore compensating euphonium. The bore size is no larger than my euph's is (and in fact may be smaller with regard to my 4th valve circuit). The bell is no bigger. And it sure doesn't weigh any less.
Sure, I guess, you get the full BBb range ... But I can't believe you'll use any of the deep contra range -- and certainly for most jazz (and most applications of a small tuba) you get that with the large bore comp euph (which is, of course, at least the moral equivalent of a small bore 3-valve F tuba when you hold the 4th valve down). And there are other small (3/4) BBb tubas around -- some in a similar price range -- that are really genuine tubas (Mack Brass TU22L, Tube Exchange TE-690L, Eastman, Schiller, ...). But even with the "full" BBb range, how much of that are you going to be using in a jazz setting, and what's the tone quality there? How much are you going to be delving into the pedal BBb range? I've played a bunch of tuba parts on my euph and never felt range limited.
Is the attraction here really just for it's "travel capabilities" -- in which case, do you really gain significantly over just using a euph?
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)