Chris Olka could make a cardboard box sound great. What a sound.

OMG!!! Just had Both Chicago models in my lap, Friday(4-13-18) in Ellensburg, Washington. For those of you who are thinking that a player of Mr. Olka's caliber could make even a 3/4, BBb Couesnon sound good, well, I'm sure he could! But the two CC's from Wessex are awesome, even when not sitting on a major pro's lap! My 3 main axes at this time are a Conn 24-J(19" Kanstul upright), a Wessex 5/4 BBb(XL), and a Wessex Eb (Danube), so I'm used to filling bigger horns. Both Chicago's took all that i could throw at 'em, and still had room for more! They slotted as well for me as they seemed to for Mr. Olka! Intonation was very good, and response was superb! I had no trouble triple tonguing down into the basement, with authority! I've never had a "hand built" CC Tuba of any size on my lap, but I've had a(factory) Neptune, and a Cerveney a few times, as well as several Miraphone 1291, 5/4 CC's. Don't spend more than you have to, for a European Tuba! YMMV!

Sounds awesome!! 20" is definitely a warmer broader sound. Two tubas for two different occasions. Wessex is number 1 in my book. Great tubas at great value.

Good grief, what a sound! Personally, I like the sound of the larger bell, and frankly, it plays a tiny touch better in tune. I hope you do the giant BBb next.

"You'll sound even better with the cool looking buttons" hahahaa :) When you played the Prokofiev 5 excerpt , it definitely reminded me of Gene's horn.

Thanks again, Mr. Olka, for another objective, and enlightening review! When Jonathan Hodgetts first announced these horns, I thought he might have flipped! But, now that I've heard them on your lap, I believe congratulations are in order! Jonathan has never lied about the (JinBao) origins of his horns, and has strived to improve upon the quality of his instruments from day one! He doesn't triple up at the expense of his clients, not even on the Silver Plating, as several other's in the business do! What an accomplishment! a Tuba that can compete with instruments costing 3-4x as much! Please keep your reviews coming!

I pretty consistently preferred your sound on the 20 inch bell. I do have to wonder how people are going to compare the Wessex 6/4s to the Eastman.

I got to try these tubas in Texas, and I thought these tubas played very well also. I've been anticipating your review and hearing your opinions. Thanks for taking the time to do the reviews. Your description of the differences between the 18" and 20" (much more thoughtful and eloquent than mine) was accurately reflected in your recording. And the iPad recording sounds great! I'm really looking forward to the next one. ;-)

Great video and very descriptive. I will say I think you sound better on the 20 than the 18. Both horns sound incredible!

Chris, you sound fantastic. You inspire!

The Chicago York 20 inch is what I’m probably gonna but for my personal tuba sophomore year in college it is just amazing

That Symphony Fantastic poster behind you is fantastic!

I personally really enjoy the 18" sound. If I had money, I would go with that instead of the 20". Then again, I personally have never played either and I have no idea what works best for my style.

Nice playing Chris, Good to see some of the smaller brands being reviewed

The 18" bell sound is bright and crisp and would carry well . The 20" bell sound is fatter, deeper and darker.

Chris, thank you for the evals. I purchased the York Presence after scrutinizing your reviews. Yes, I loved the Miraphone Hagen, but i could afford additional tubas by purchasing the Wessex and stay in the key of C. Eventually, Miraphone may catch up in the ^/$ CC market.

I never realized that northern Kentucky was such a big tuba center lol. I like it! I’ve played in that room quite a few times

I love the breathes in the prokofiev excerpt

Cool video! it'd be nice to see the other Wessex tubas especially the 6/4 BBb one, haven't really found many videos on Wessex tubas let alone the BBbs tubas.

Fantastic, Mr. Olka. Thank you!

Chris, in the video you spoke about Wessex Chicago sound and response. Can you go into more detail about intonation? Thanks.

At first, I preferred your sound on the 20", I think because that's what I've come to expect as the American orchestral tuba sound, and I think your intonation may be better on that horn. Upon re-watching this video, though, I have found that the 18" really is better. I really appreciate Wessex taking the risk and modifying the "sacred" York style.

Now that China is pumping out high-quality 6/4's, I wonder when we're going to see big name players actually use these things on stage. Maybe that's not the target audience for budget horns idk

17:51 Die Meistersinger... ❤️❤️❤️ Bravissimo!!

Sonho de qualquer tubista

Just a question. Obviously you sound great. I prefer the tone of the 20" bell. I am curious about your recording set-up. I have difficulty micing a tuba without getting distortion. I appreciate any thoughts you have on good micing.

It looks like the design was borrowed from the Hirsbrunner Yorkbrunner. How does it compare to its more expensive counterpart Mr. Olka?

I only wish that you would put a link to the music your playing in the description

Hello Chris, could you try the Big Mouth Brass tubas? Specially the J-865

Can we get one of the wessex F tubas reviewed?? With hope, from a subscriber.

Olá Cris esse final qual é o nome desta melodia?, abraço

Where is the US distribution?

hang in there

What mouthpiece? Very nice sound!

Is the B&S PT-7P considered a York Chicago style instrument?

How does this instrument compare to the York reproduction that Kanstul made?

Eu amo seus vídeos

What are you playing at 15:18

11:34

Doesn’t Gene Pokorny prefer the Chicago Presence?

which one is closer to Yamayork ?

Lindo!

Toca bem eu toco tuba do também eu sou seu fã eu sou tubista

上手すぎ笑笑

SEHR GUT: