Hey all!
Finally decided to take the plunge into Eb tuba. Looking for a front action piston horn, either 4 valve compensating or 5 valve. Particularly interested in the Eastman Eb’s or the Wessex Gnagey or Elgar Americano (although I know the Elgar is still very new to the market), but I’m open to trying anything! Budget is $4k, but I have a little wiggle room on that. Willing to drive a considerable distance for the right horn. Based in Ocala, FL. Feel free to DM me here or email me at sammchenry2457@gmail.com. Thanks everybody!
WTB: Front Action Eb Tuba
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When making a listing for large or expensive items, please include your budget and location. That will help you match with a seller that might have the item you are looking for
When making a listing for large or expensive items, please include your budget and location. That will help you match with a seller that might have the item you are looking for
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SamMcHenry00
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- arpthark
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2nd tenor
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Re: WTB: Front Action Eb Tuba
Welcome to the World of Eb, it doesn’t suit everyone but many of the UK professional orchestra players use them so Eb’s have some merit.SamMcHenry00 wrote: Mon Dec 22, 2025 2:38 pm Hey all!
Finally decided to take the plunge into Eb tuba. Looking for a front action piston horn, either 4 valve compensating or 5 valve. Particularly interested in the Eastman Eb’s or the Wessex Gnagey or Elgar Americano (although I know the Elgar is still very new to the market), but I’m open to trying anything! Budget is $4k, but I have a little wiggle room on that. Willing to drive a considerable distance for the right horn. Based in Ocala, FL. Feel free to DM me here or email me at sammchenry2457@gmail.com. Thanks everybody!
If front action is what you want then so be it, but three (top action) plus one (side action) compensating tubas (EEb) is what those same professionals use so just maybe they’re worth a look too. Some people here like the John Packer three plus one and even when new it’s priced relatively competitively.
There’s a forever debate about which pitch is best and I reflected on that last night when a pal and I were playing carols on our (respectively) BBb and Eb Tubas [Brass Band Players]. Sometimes we were in unison and sometimes an octave apart with the pitch played by each of us complementing and strengthening that played by the other, a great result from team work. I further reflect that when I’ve been a solitary Bass, supporting many other players, being an Eb/EEb rather than BBb has never been an issue - even a three valve Eb is sufficient to give a Bass ‘voice’ where needed. Just some observations.
Good luck with whatever you decide on and end up with.
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Re: WTB: Front Action Eb Tuba
Totally agree.2nd tenor wrote: Tue Dec 23, 2025 7:11 am
Welcome to the World of Eb, it doesn’t suit everyone but many of the UK professional orchestra players use them so Eb’s have some merit.
If front action is what you want then so be it, but three (top action) plus one (side action) compensating tubas (EEb) is what those same professionals use so just maybe they’re worth a look too.
1906 Henry Distin Euphonium(JUNIOR)
1952 B&H Imperial Trombone(HASTINGS)
2015 Sterling Virtuoso Baritone(MARGARET)
1988 Besson/B&H Sovereign 967(BRAMWELL)
2023 Dillon Eb Bass 981S(ALBERT)
1952 B&H Imperial Trombone(HASTINGS)
2015 Sterling Virtuoso Baritone(MARGARET)
1988 Besson/B&H Sovereign 967(BRAMWELL)
2023 Dillon Eb Bass 981S(ALBERT)
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SamMcHenry00
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Re: WTB: Front Action Eb Tuba
Found, thanks everyone!
- These users thanked the author SamMcHenry00 for the post (total 2):
- arpthark (Tue Jan 06, 2026 7:45 pm) • humBell (Sat Jan 10, 2026 6:34 pm)
