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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!

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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!

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. 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.

Tuba exchange in NC has a Besson 983. Buy it and run.

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.

Totally agree.

Found, thanks everyone!