Originally Posted by
davewerden
Too many problems with my back.
Been there ... am there ... For the past year have been thinking about a return to my neuro-surgeon -- and had my primary care write a script for an MRI. But haven't got it. Just not sure the additional surgery would be worth the hassle and (minor, to be sure) risk vs. continuing along just being careful and exercising appropriately. My surgeon's attitude is "If you have more trouble, come back. I can fix it." And I'm quite sure he can. It's mostly that at this stage of my life I resent spending any time recovering from anything (I just spent close to a month recovering from a massive -- and hugely successful -- sinus surgery/configuration without playing). Tradeoffs.
Originally Posted by
davewerden
The "Champion" Wessex offers is more similar to my Sovereign. The Bombino's smaller form factor would probably be a better match for me.
My Champion weighs only about 3 lbs more than the listed weight of the Bombino. Wessex lists the weight differential as 2.5 lbs. So how much difference would that make? And I find I can still lug the Champion around in my Gard bag without harming myself -- if I'm careful. I suppose the "form factor" would be relevant as well, but once I'm seated with it on my home-made tuba stand, I'm not supporting any weight. So I haven't been able to pull the trigger on selling it and getting a Bombino or trying to swap for one. I probably should. But on the other hand, I think the Champion pitches a lot more sound than the Bombino. But on the third hand, I'm not actually playing tuba nowadays, and I'm not sure how much I will be in the future. And I do have that old Buescher which really IS light. Color me conflicted.
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)