“Excellent Instrument! Ive wanted a Wagner Tuba for a while but I could never afford to pay the $8,000 dollar price tag of some other ones. Ive seen many from these affordable brands like Wessex but I was always very suspicious of them. But this instrument is incredible while I don’t know much about the durability of it or how it will hold up over the years it’s a incredible instrument to be able to get into the world of the Wagner Tuba. I love how Im able to change it from Bb/F to F/Bb. My only problem is with the case provided. The mouthpiece holder inside the case Is not very secure so when moving it around you hear the mouthpiece rattle around a little bit. While it’s annoying to listen to it’s still secure enough that it won’t roll around in the case and damage the instrument. Also love that it came with backpack straps for transporting it. Overall a great instrument!”

Helpful Report

Posted 1 month ago

Thanks for the positive review and the point about the mouthpiece not being secure which I will see about getting addressed in future cases. For the durability, there is no reason the horn will not last as long as the $8k ones - it is made with the same metals (Wessex only uses top quality brass and nickel) and assembled the same way

Posted 1 month ago

“Nicely made and surprisingly good intonation and tone for the cost. I like how I can switch the linkage for the trigger valve to be set in Bb or F. One improvement could be bending the lead pipe to a slightly different angle to make it a little easier for shorter people to play.”

1 Helpful Report

Posted 6 months ago

“Pretty good instrument, and especially good for the price! Some notes are a bit hard to tune, but I think that's largely down to the nature of the Wagner Tuba in general, not so much this instrument specifically.”

1 Helpful Report

Posted 1 year ago

Anthonny Calderon Vizcarrondo

Verified Reviewer

“I’m very great full to Wessex for creating a instrument that normally is very expensive and they decided to lower a price. Have to said the material that the tuba have is very solid and comfortable. Still, I think it will be better if there is any chance that they add the pinky hook , is more stable for grabbing purposes . The tuba came in Bb/F and thanks to the stopper that is installed I managed to change it, in PR we play F/Bb thanks for that. The biggest issue that I feel of this instrument is the intonation is very low for 442hz even with the tuning slide complete being inside. I try it with my colleagues of the Puerto Rico symphony orchestra and they feel it the same way if there were any way to shorten the principal tuning slide a little I think that the tuba will help a lot to get more stability in entonation. The best solution was using the mouthpiece that came with the instrument, I will like to know the specification of the mouthpiece, so I can look for something similar that really fits me because the rim with is to small for me. I think is very similar to the JK mouthpiece. I’m aware that this instruments is a work in progress and I’m confident that Wessex are going to improve their products. Thank again for this instrument and all the things that come with it the caring package, case, mouthpiece the design of the instrument. In general is a great instrument, thank for your work and for selling it in a great price.”

4 Helpful Report

Posted 1 year ago

“I am absolutely loving my Wessex Wagner tuba - I'm a full-time professional bassoonist and contrabassoonist, but I've always had a soft spot for the horn family, and have always wanted to own my own Wagner tuba to play for fun, and this instrument perfectly fits the bill for me! I could never justify the $10K+ price for a professional instrument, and honestly wouldn't want to pay it if I could, so the price of the Wessex instrument is simply unbeatable. The build quality is fantastic - all the soldering is clean and even, the rotors are smooth and seal up just right, the action of the valve levers is smooth as well (I love the mechanical linkages), and the slides all move easily and stay put. The tone is lovely, full, and clear, and once I got my slides in tune I find the tuning to be very stable and consistent (apparently tuning is a common issue with Wagner tubas according to my horn colleagues, but that's certainly not the case with this instrument). For the casual hornist, the serious student, or a hobbyist like myself, I cannot recommend this instrument highly enough! It would be more than a suitable practice instrument for the serious professional, and would certainly be a perfectly suitable instrument for use in college and conservatory ensembles. A delightful 5 out of 5! This has me seriously considering purchasing another instrument from Wessex in the future!”

3 Helpful Report

Posted 2 years ago

Musikverein Heimbuchenthal

Verified Reviewer

“Basically a great instrument. If you wanted to be petty, you could fault that, when in B♭, the second valve has no tuning slide.”

1 Helpful Report

Posted 2 years ago

“I’m glad to write a short and very positive review of my recently bought FH250 Bb/F compensating double Wagner tuba. As an amateur horn player, it is excellent to have available, for the first time (as far as I know), an affordable instrument to satisfy my curiosity about this amazing instrument. The instrument arrived safely and in perfect condition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, soon after I made one phone call to the UK Showroom, and it was arranged by Wessex to be delivered efficiently by DHL (I have no business connection with DHL, only as a satisfied customer). Straight out of the box, all slides and valves worked beautifully. This is great after the freezing temperatures in the plane hold and the boiling hot delivery van. The whole instrument looks brilliant, showing clear care in making and presenting it. It is nicely lacquered, though I would prefer the option of unlacquered polished brass, but that's just a personal preference. The pinky finger hook is simple to adjust with an Allen key. Various spares are included, like a neoprene buffer, water key cork, bottle of oil etc. The instrument as provided stands in Bb but looks to be easily adjustable to stand in F. I prefer it standing in Bb as my 20M and 40L are like that. It comes with a mouthpiece (marked Wesex H), but I use my Paxman 4B which I have used for many years. I have not yet tried it; it looks very slightly smaller than my 4B but I could not be sure about that. I was very pleased with the playing, the instrument blows freely and I soon found my way around it. The fundamental written C is quite easy to sound and it’s nice to go down even lower! I am still adapting to the different playing position compared to the french horn, as it is much bigger, and I need to adapt my breathing - no problem - it is a different instrument after all - and needing more air. The issue of repertoire is interesting. Reflecting on the generosity of Paul Hindemith in composing so many sonatas for lots of instruments - and being familiar with the the french horn (1939) and alto horn (1943) sonatas - I wonder if he ever thought of writing one for the Wagner tuba? It would have been great I’m sure. I like the cover version of the Billie Eilish song ‘When the Party’s Over’ on the Wessex website (or YouTube FhornPatrick) - but we need more! To address this, our local Malaysian composer Rekha Raveenderen (www.rekharaveenderen.com) is looking into composing a short solo piece with piano. This will help to increase the repertoire in the solo genre. Finally just a few suggestions for development of the instrument, if and when economics allow. I make these in a friendly and constructive spirit: 1. A standard option for unlacquered polished brass finish would be appreciated; 2. Label the bottle of oil which is provided; I assume it is rotor oil, but I feel it would be better labelled for such an important function; 3. A metal hand guard near the valves to protect the lacquer - I know we can wrap leather around the area but I would prefer a metal guard, it would also look better in my humble opinion; 4. Perhaps include an Allen key for adjusting the finger hook. A super and affordable instrument, kudos to all for creating this opportunity, and I wish all players best chops.”

8 Helpful Report

Posted 4 years ago

“Hello greetings, the instrument arrived well and is great, only that in some parts such as the rotors and the salibero it had a little wear and tear and well it also took longer than expected but in general very good.”

Helpful Report

Posted 4 years ago

Bb/F Wagner Tuba – FH250 Reviews