So, I visited the Wessex Chicago showroom late in 2022, and tried their new "Tubby" Eb tuba, with great expectations that I would find the "Large Eb that could cover the 4/4 CC tuba role", to pair up with my more modest sized Yamaha-381 Eb. I enjoyed the sound of the Tubby Eb, which you can hear in Mark's video. But as I played down into the lower range of the tuba, as soon as I engaged the 4th valve, I had the same impression as Mark does in this video. You can see and hear him encounter something he describes as "stuffy". I wasn't sure it was a "stuffy" response, but I know for certain that the low, 4th valve combination notes did not pop out for me as effortlessly as the notes in the rest of the typical range of this tuba did, and it seems that Mark's experience is similar in this video. Check time stamps 1:50 to 2:00, 2:40 to 2:55, and 5:10 to 5:20. My experience and assessment was very similar to Mark's. As a result, since this is the range in which any tuba really has to be able to "kick butt and take names", I had to pass on a purchase of the Tubby, with great disappointment. I had been hoping this horn would allow me to "cover all the basses" (pun intentional) with a single key of tuba. But it seemed it would take too much work from the low BBb down to the pedal Eb, for me. Now, a disclaimer -- all of my playing for quite some time has been with approximately .690 inch bore tubas -- the Yamaha YEB-381, Eb and a Conn 56J CC. So I suppose some of this could be due to the larger bore of the "Tubby". HOWEVER, when I picked up the Gnagey-designed Wessex Eb, it played like a dream (note, also approx. .690 bore), with absolutely no issue for me with the lower, 4th valve combination notes. But -- the Gnagey designed Eb is truly a (very) capable bass tuba, and wouldn't be easily mistaken for a contrabass CC substitute, in my opinion. Summary: as a result of my experience, which seems to be quite similar to what I see in this video, I would recommend that the low, 4th valve combination notes be checked carefully when evaluating the Tubby Eb tuba. And, I would ask Wessex to also consider this feedback, in case some small design tweak could improve the playability challenge I encountered in this range on the instrument. On a positive note, not only did the Gnagey Eb play very well, but I did NOT find the valve button placement to be particularly troublesome. I've read some comments expressing concern that the alignment/position of the valves might result in some ergonomic concerns, but I found a near-vertical playing position to be quite comfortable with this tuba, and in that position, the valve placement under my right hand didn't seem to be much of a problem. (I would have preferred the 4th valve be slightly further away from "my side" of the tuba, but I wouldn't hesitate to buy this instrument with it's present valve layout.) [Background: Adult amateur tuba, playing with brass quintet, church ensembles, community bands, having owned and played several tubas, in all 4 standard keys, over the decades I've been playing.] Best Regards.

TL:DR Are the Wessex Ebs suitable to play in an orchestral setting? Thanks. Edit: Also your thoughts re: Wessex Tubby vs Gnagey for the ensembles mentioned below. In the brass band the other Eb bass players are playing a Boosey Sovereign and Yamaha Neo. Hi, I play in an English-style brass band atm on an B&H Imperial compensated 4vEb but want to branch out back into Concert Band and Orchestral groups. My Concert band playing has been quite recent but my last orchestral playing was about 30 years ago in high school. I have a Wessex Dolce euphonium and baritone as well that I am really happy with. I bought a Yamaha C tuba recently (but it’s stuck across state lines) to replace the Imperial/play in orchestra but somewhat regretting my decision after seeing the new Wessex Ebs.

How do you feel about the tubby as a first e flat tuba?