Posted by Jay Bertolet on February 04, 2001 at 23:39:39:
In Reply to: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: EEb-Yamaha, Besson or Willson posted by Eve (I'll get the links right this time!) on February 04, 2001 at 22:34:04:
Yep, that's the one! My friend has one of those, in lacquer, and it looks just like that one you posted. I personally don't really care for the horn because it is a little small for my tastes and I'm not crazy about the 3+1 valve setup. My friend sounds pretty good on his though and he's happy with it. I'll talk with him tomorrow evening and see if he can provide a model number.
The 3400 Eb is a front action, 5 valve tuba (4 piston, 5th rotor) which uses a Rotax rotary 5th valve. This Rotax design is considerably larger than a standard rotary valve. The 3400 is not a compensating instrument. In comparing to my friend's compensating Willson, the 3400 is generally quite a bit larger.
My opinion for what it's worth...