Mike H. and I are hoping to help correct some intonation woes above the staff on the two B&H with the addition of Mike Johnson (UK)straight leadpipes (Fletcher style). The report on those results will come later once they arrive and are installed.

I love the sound of the high register on the JP377!

You play sooo clear! I would love to hear you play a tuba solo!❤️

I love the sound of those old 15” tubas. I have one myself, and despite its quirks I love playing it.

Hands down I love that 15" bell Imperial. Such a nice sounding horn with a ton of tone and clarity.

I definitely prefer the 15" bell. In fact I nearly always prefer smaller bells on tubas. I suppose that's not surprising since I play euphonium. The only exception I've found is the Wessex British F. That one's too small and just sounds like a euphonium with the 4th valve down.

The 377 is the only one that didn't have a flat top Eb. That makes me feel better that my Eb has a flat high range. Haven't found a way to bring it up, either. Seems like a main slide kicker, along with being able to play with the slide out somewhat for the rest of the range, is the only solution. you sound great as usual, Doc.

There are things I prefer about the sound of each. I'd probably lean toward the Packer for overall use. I think it would be very interesting though, to have an option for an even more open bell throat without as much pancake. Kind of why I find myself drawn to Rudy Meinl, Kalisons and very interested in the Wessex Chicago Presence (at least the concept, since I've never gotten to play one) in CC tubas and Kaiser BBb tubas.

I like the packer. The notes come out clearly ! It is a compromise of the other Two

Tuning in the higher register of the JP is much better, as others have said. It's night and day.

I like the b&h 15 bell the most. Nice warm and even sound through all the register. I wonder the comparison with the Besson 981/982.

15" B&H Bass all the way.

Hi Buffalo, do you prefer one over the others, and if so, which one?

4th valve on the 1st tuba sounds not in tune. 4th valve on the 3rd tuba sound unsure. 2nd tuba sound thin high. All sound nice in the lows. I want one, but I think I would prefer a 4 piston in one hand (front action) or rotary valves.

Good comparison video, thanks. How do you assess the 4th valve combination notes, with respect to any added resistance? (I presently have a YEB-381, but used to own a Besson 983, and wasn't a fan of the added resistance below low BBb.) I noticed the 377 bore is 17.30mm (.681"). I'm very curious to try the Wessex "Champion" -- don't know if you've tried that one also? Listed bore: valves 1 to 3 0.69″ (17.5mm), 4th valve 0.73” (18.65mm) ... I wonder if the Champion has any perceived reduction in the resistance of 4th valve notes. Cheers!

I have learnt, from chatting to a number of well-informed people, that B&H (Besson) instruments from the late 1970s and through the 1980s were that company's golden era. Later instruments under that mark were manufactured in Germany as its England-based factory was closed. The gauge of material used during the golden years was often a lot thicker, too, impacting on resonance. I, myself, play on a 1982 built Besson 782 (nee Imperial, see kzfaq.info/get/bejne/gaeDpq5eppqoeGQ.html) and prefer this to any tuba manufactured in this century by B&H (Besson).

First round knockout in favor of the packer