Posted by ken k on March 19, 2001 at 22:22:09:
In Reply to: BBb to Eb posted by Jess Ryan on March 19, 2001 at 20:45:25:
Modern Ebs are good versatile instruments, usable in most situations, except large orchestral works or band work if you are the only tuba. One problem I have found with old Eb tubas is the intonation is usually pretty bad. Also in the early 1900's the Eb was sort of the student horn and you may find some very small Ebs which were designed to be used by youngsters in elementary or JH as it was called back then. Those horns generally are pretty lousy (at least the half dozen or so that I have played). As I mentioned before however, modern Eb horns by Besson, Willson, Meinl Weston, Mirafone, Yamaha, and others as well, are very well in tune with themselves, and are large enough for most situations. I play in a quintet, tuba quartet (top tuba part), some concert bands (with other tubas), and even a small "pops" orchestra and I use a Besson Eb.
ken k