Eb Compensated Tuba ‘Bombino’ – TE360P Lacquer Reviews

4.5 Rating 6 Reviews

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Phone:

(0)7555 135212

Email:

dolce@wessex-tubas.com

Location:

2 Viscount Court,
South Way, Walworth Business Park,
Andover
Hampshire
SP10 5NW

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John R Huntsman Sr

Verified Reviewer

“I could not be more pleased with the Bombino Eb tuba. Free-blowing and excellent full sound that's complementary to our brass group. Euphonium is my primary instrument, but I could easily switch to have the Bombino as my preference. I find the size of the Bombino is close to the euphonium. As a seventy-five year-old musician, the 4/4 and 5/4 tubas are uncomfortably large and cumbersome. The Bombino is perfect for me to play. Valves are wonderfully responsive and quick. Slides move well. I appreciate the extra main tuning slides, but haven't encountered a situation that calls for it. Intonation is very good. The higher registers, though, require extra concentration. In short, this is a high-quality, very well-made, and affordable musical instrument that is extremely rewarding to play.”

Helpful Report

Posted 3 months ago

Vivian Kientz

Verified Reviewer

“This is my second tuba from Wessex. I purchased my Bubbie 5 while recovering from shoulder replacement surgery to see if I could play a tuba. I could. I switched from horn to tuba in my brass quintet. After a year or so I began looking for a slightly larger instrument that I could play in larger ensembles. The size and weight of the instrument was a deciding factor in my purchase. I love my Bombino tuba. It plays wonderfully in tune with a full sound that fills the room, without overpowering the quintet. It is a joy to play and I feel it is a wise investment on my part. I play a 3+1 baritone so the similar fingerings came naturally to me. I would recommend this tuba to anyone looking for a right-sized instrument to play.”

3 Helpful Report

Posted 2 years ago

Robert Harper

Verified Reviewer

“I really like this tuba but it has one problem. The valves keep sticking. I clean the valve and the valve casing very carefully and lubricate before each rehearsal and performance but the first and second valves are very slow to release after about half an hour. I shall be contacting Wessex to see how this problem can be resolved.”

2 Helpful Report

Posted 3 years ago

Please you enjoy the tuba, but sorry about that very unusual valve problem. Normally Wessex valves are far more reliable than most other brands, talking as someone who plays one every day. A lapping of the valves will almost certainly solve. That is something any brass repairer can easily perform, or we will be happy to do if you get the tuba to our warehouse

Posted 3 years ago

Raymond Harvey

Verified Reviewer

“I have owned the tuba for a little over a month and have now had the opportunity to play it in a band, an orchestra and a symphonic brass group. Whilst the tone is not as full or heavy as from my Besson Sovreign, it is more than adequate for each situation. It is well made and plays beautifully, more like a large euphonium than a traditional tuba. Notes are well centred, providing security throughout the range. A previous reviewer has noted significant flatness with the G harmonic. I have found this to be the case when played with a tuba mouthpiece, but the fault all but disappears when I use a large bass trombone mouthpiece, which is more in proportion with the bore of the instrument. One slight niggle involves the positioning of the 4th. valve water key. Condensate gathers in the 4th. valve tuning slide, not in the loop where the water key is fitted, involving periodic removal of the tuning slide to drain it.”

5 Helpful Report

Posted 4 years ago

“Response is even and tone is good throughout the range, from pedal to well above middle C. Some notes will be better in tune with alternate fingerings. E.g., G below middle C (a partial that's often flat on brass instruments) is flat if played open; 1-2 is good. The included mouthpiece gives a full, heavy tone. For more sparkle, perhaps for a small ensemble or 3rd voice in a tuba quartet, a Schilke 67 or Bach 18 or 25 might be a better choice. The valves are good. There are two main tuning slides. The shorter one makes the horn a bit sharp when pulled out about an inch, which you might need if you play in a chamber group whose strings keep tuning higher during a concert; the longer one, pulled out about 1/4" matches A-440 for me, with the included mouthpiece. The slides are easy to move, except the longer main tuning slide, which seems to be very slightly misaligned. The rings that attach to the included strap are substantial; they and the lyre holder would be handy for marching. The case closes securely and rolls easily. A pouch of accessories includes extra springs, water key corks, and valve guides.”

5 Helpful Report

Posted 4 years ago

“This compact compensated Eb tuba is a delight to play. It fits well into a smaller ensemble, or for a convenient horn for home practice without the size and weight. It would be challenged to make an impact in a respectable-sized brass or concert band. Intonation is excellent, valves and slides work well, and the instrument generally appears well constructed. Finish is excellent. The only issue I have is the weak metal in the bell area. A minor topple on soft carpet (this horn cannot be rested on it's bell unless leaned against a wall) resulted in some minor crumpling of the bell 10cm below the bell wire. That was rectified by my highly skilled brass technician, but be warned, rest this tuba bottom bow down in decent tuba stand.”

4 Helpful Report

Posted 4 years ago