I remember playing the prototype at Midwest years ago and falling in love with it. I told Chuck at the time that when it hit the market I'm getting one, no question. Years later, and that's still the plan! I'm excited to hear it's as good as I hoped in production, and I can't wait to get my hands on it!
Thoroughly enjoying this series, Chris. I'm a onetime amateur tuba player who sold his horn years ago, but I still like looking at these wonderful instruments, old and new. Thank you for this fascinating journey through Tubaland!
Wow 🔥🎶🙌 You sound great! I actually like your sound on this tuba better than the 836. It sounds easier (intonation, response, especially in the middle and lower range) 🤷 Thank you very much for making these videos 👍
The playing is absolutely amazing. I love the consistent and full sound throughout the range.. When I get to buying a professional tuba I will definitely look at this tuba.
Thanks, Chris! We’ve been waiting (im)patiently for this one to hit the market. Looking forward to testing one soon. Any idea when it will start making an appearance at shows, conventions, etc.?
Good question! The one in the video isn’t mine. It’s the first one I’ve seen and I’d ordered it for my University! I expect dealers should have them in the next month or so.
What a killer horn! I’m no where near a position where I’d be able to add a BBb tuba to my arsenal (just got my CC a few years ago, working on F right now), but maybe a few years from now if that’s not the case anymore, this is gonna be horn I check out for sure!
Now we are talking, finally a tuba! And sounds like one! Always have to be one tone thats a bit nasty. Your Eb on Wagner sounded easy, took me a while to find it. The air struggle is real, like you said...
I'm very impressed! Your sound on this tuba is absolutely stunning, Chris. Thanks for sharing and introducing this interesting instrument. Seems like a really good deal. You need more money in Germany to buy a professional tuba like this. Best regards from Detmold/Germany, Alexander Kochendörfer
Hey Chris, great playing as always! That low register of yours has been inspiring me for 30 years now! That’s 825 is a solid choice for BBb. The reversed first valve slide is a nice improvement on the layout. Are the Eastman people working on any other fun stuff? Thanks!
I really love how that horn sounds! Its got some more bite and edge to it, while having a very dark timbre and color! Its tone is absolutely massive and rich, definitely what you would hear in German orchestras! Because I’m still in high school and I want to play professionally, what are some CC York tubas or F Tubas I should look into, based off of price and quality?
Thank you for this. My son plays an Eastman 4 valve piston in high school. He likes it and the low register is very responsive and easy to slot. I play a 4 valve rotary Cerveny Kaiser from the early 90s in a military band and German quint. I have found my C in the staff is super flat if I want to play Eb below the staff in tune. the 1-3 C in the staff is in tune but difficult to slot and I don't like the intonation. Is my option the pull 1st branch slide like that to play both in tune? Thanks again
I absolutely love mine still! I keep finding more opportunities to play it in the orchestra, and warmup on it about half the time in any given week. I’m waiting to get one in silver plate, just because I like silver. But I also like the low maintenance for the lacquer.
Great video. Sounds good. Now where the heck can I get it. I have been looking for the 5 valve one for more than a month with no luck. Signed up for a notification if they come into stock, and still nothing. Any recommendations?
Buddy Rogers Music in Cincinnati is currently the only store with them in stock. The rest of the Eastman dealers have them on order and are just waiting for the factory.
@cheers623 Thanks for the reply. After calling around, the dealers are saying that Eastman doesn't plan on manufacturing the 5 valve variant until late 2023 or 2024.
@@chriskaufman6561 Sorry, but that's not accurate. I don't know what dealer you're in touch with, but Eastman is making them. It's just a slow process for ordering and shipping, etc. Really sorry to hear you're having a hard time tracking one down. Let me know if you want to know where one currently is...I think I do...
I'm going to be in the market for a big , 6/4 BBb rotary, as arthritis is coming on. Is the 5th. Circuit short enough to set it for sustained "G", and "Ab"? Or, is it too flat ? I'm loving the sound of my BBb 345, having sold my 24-J, 345 is almost as warm, but it's a bit of work, to play in tune at times...Funny thing. I had a hand made Baer CC on my lap a while ago. Beautiful instrument, light weight, but had all the York intonation issues my Holton has! Spot on, re BBb vs. CC bias! I had the privilege of meeting the late Dr John Richards(Oregon Symphony) in 1980. He was awesome! And, he told his master class to play what they were best on FIRST. He put the 20-J I had at the time on his lap, blew the fundamental, then effortlessly peeled away each partial into the stratosphere!
Hey Mr. Olka, do you have any tips for playing in the lower range? My low range is good, it’s just when I play shorter notes in the lower range, it’s very explosive and splatty If you know what I mean. But great tuba! Sounds good
It depends on what you mean by “splatty”. Many times people confuse brightness under the bell for a bad tone. If it’s clear sounding under the bell, it’ll probably be darker than you think in the concert hall.
Hello - this is Attila Benkö ( Tuba with the Philharmonie Südwestfalen based 80 km east to Cologne/Germany). Last year in August i was looking for a Tuba for one of my students and had the chance to play the 562 in 6 Film Music Concerts. The result was quite surprising because there were lots of thumbs up and smiling faces from my surounding colleagues !! Due to a spinal disc herniation and an surgery last march at the moment i am searching for a more light weight Instrument that fits my needs in the Orchestra. As my Bb is the Melton 197 wich has a weight of aprox 11.8kg i would be very curious about the weight of this impressive Tuba. Unfortunatley Eastman does not have any Specs or information about their Instruments weight ( for example with their sousaphone it only says "light weight"). Thanks in advance for some informations - All the best from Siegen/Germany Attila
So, could this horn just simply replace a piston c? Under what circumstances do you think you would miss your 836? Love my 836, but that throaty growl…❤️
So I’m going into my senior year. I was wondering if you could give some advice on purchasing tubas for things like college and also possibly military bands. You do a lot of York tubas which I love and prefer but I’ve read things that say the Kaiser builds are better, so what would you say I should look for
I’d recommend that you play as many different types as you can and decide for yourself. It doesn’t matter what anyone else says. You have to find YOUR musical voice. Hope that helps!
They are both really fantastic tubas. However, in playing aspects, very different. The Hagen is VERY open blowing and responsive, but does take a noticeable bit more air to play. I have to really be in good shape to fill that tuba up. The Eastman bore-size is almost identical to the EBC836. Thus, I don’t have a huge noticeable difference in the amount of air it takes to play and control. For me it’s a perfect compliment to the 6/4 CC tuba. If I’m looking for that classic German rotor tuba sound, the EBB825 is easy for me to switch to, without making big adjustments in how I play. If you were just going to play one BBb tuba, either would make a great choice. You’d just learn to make whichever you choose your foundation for playing. Make sense?
@@cheers623 I have played quite a few tubas, described as "air hogs", but a bit smaller backbore on the mouthpiece, and a strong abdomen certainly helps. The efficiency of a 6/4 size ax makes up for the extra effort to budget one's air, IMHO I used to lean on the resistance the air already in an instrument presented, as a crutch to regulate my air use squeezing both triggers on a Bass Trombone is one example. Any thoughts, re ambient pressure/resistance ( from smaller bore, to number of crooks) affecting tone would be of interest to me.
I noticed you play low D as 5-1-4, and I'm confused by this. I have no experience with a 5 valve instrument, but 2-3-4 is already flat on my instrument, so I don't understand why you'd use even more pipe length. I'd expect 5-1-4 to be 1/3 to 1/2 of a semitone flat. Am I misunderstanding how the 5th valve works? I thought they were typically tuned to give a perfect 5-4 Eb or 5-2-3 B. Are they actually tuned sharper than that? Also, A4 is super flat on a lot of euphoniums, and playing it 1-2 off the 9th partial C works, just as you found here. I've also seen folks play Ab with 1-2-3, using the 10th partial D.
With 4th valve pushed in, 1,4,5 works really well for D. I use the same fingering on CC tuba for low E. I’ve never played a 5 valve tuba that the 4,5 combination wasn’t sharp unless you pulled either of those slides out. So, when both are pushed in, 1,4,5 usually puts you dead on.
I remember playing the prototype at Midwest years ago and falling in love with it. I told Chuck at the time that when it hit the market I'm getting one, no question. Years later, and that's still the plan! I'm excited to hear it's as good as I hoped in production, and I can't wait to get my hands on it!
It’s another whole level above the prototype!
Thoroughly enjoying this series, Chris. I'm a onetime amateur tuba player who sold his horn years ago, but I still like looking at these wonderful instruments, old and new. Thank you for this fascinating journey through Tubaland!
Wow 🔥🎶🙌 You sound great! I actually like your sound on this tuba better than the 836. It sounds easier (intonation, response, especially in the middle and lower range) 🤷 Thank you very much for making these videos 👍
So glad you like it!
The playing is absolutely amazing. I love the consistent and full sound throughout the range.. When I get to buying a professional tuba I will definitely look at this tuba.
Thanks for your kind words, buddy!
Thanks Chris. Great to see you and hear you playing. Very informative with great playing as usual. That bottom end-WOW!
Thanks for the kind words!
Thanks Chris for the informational and auditory review of this Eastman. Always enjoyable and entertaining!
Thanks for the kind words!
Thanks, Chris! We’ve been waiting (im)patiently for this one to hit the market. Looking forward to testing one soon. Any idea when it will start making an appearance at shows, conventions, etc.?
Good question! The one in the video isn’t mine. It’s the first one I’ve seen and I’d ordered it for my University! I expect dealers should have them in the next month or so.
@@cheers623 any idea if they will have one at MWRTEC this year?
Beautiful horn! I am impressed by the fluidity of the note transitions in the legato phrases, and it seems to tune very cleanly.
Great valves and not too large of a bore helps a lot!
What a killer horn! I’m no where near a position where I’d be able to add a BBb tuba to my arsenal (just got my CC a few years ago, working on F right now), but maybe a few years from now if that’s not the case anymore, this is gonna be horn I check out for sure!
The good news is that they’re affordable when you do want to get one!
Tremendous sound and a great review. Fantastic playing Mr Olka thank you
Thanks!
High E on my F tuba must be played 1-2 just as you found here. I actually use that fingering on all the instruments I own now.
Love your terminology… “pet the cat”. Excellent
What can I say…I love cats 😻
I mention snedecor… then watch the video, and you play most of my favorites from it. Bravo! Love it
They’re some of my favorite ones too!
Can't wait to hear you perform on this in CSO's Wagner Without Words and do the comparison between BBb German Rotor tuba and American CC Yorkalike!
Now we are talking, finally a tuba! And sounds like one! Always have to be one tone thats a bit nasty. Your Eb on Wagner sounded easy, took me a while to find it.
The air struggle is real, like you said...
“Finally a tuba”….🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I'm very impressed!
Your sound on this tuba is absolutely stunning, Chris. Thanks for sharing and introducing this interesting instrument. Seems like a really good deal. You need more money in Germany to buy a professional tuba like this.
Best regards from Detmold/Germany,
Alexander Kochendörfer
Thank you! I’m hoping it will be a big hit in Germany and the rest of Europe!
Chris, love this. That tuba has a massive sound.
I bet Pete Norton gave you a high-five when he heard you on this horn! Would love to hear you guys on Church Windows.
Pete is the best!
Hey Chris, great playing as always! That low register of yours has been inspiring me for 30 years now!
That’s 825 is a solid choice for BBb. The reversed first valve slide is a nice improvement on the layout.
Are the Eastman people working on any other fun stuff?
Thanks!
Always! Can’t tell you here, but YES! Lots of cool projects!
I really love how that horn sounds! Its got some more bite and edge to it, while having a very dark timbre and color! Its tone is absolutely massive and rich, definitely what you would hear in German orchestras!
Because I’m still in high school and I want to play professionally, what are some CC York tubas or F Tubas I should look into, based off of price and quality?
That was the goal!
Thank you for this. My son plays an Eastman 4 valve piston in high school. He likes it and the low register is very responsive and easy to slot.
I play a 4 valve rotary Cerveny Kaiser from the early 90s in a military band and German quint. I have found my C in the staff is super flat if I want to play Eb below the staff in tune. the 1-3 C in the staff is in tune but difficult to slot and I don't like the intonation.
Is my option the pull 1st branch slide like that to play both in tune?
Thanks again
Any new thoughts a year later? Close to order in one for myself.
I absolutely love mine still! I keep finding more opportunities to play it in the orchestra, and warmup on it about half the time in any given week. I’m waiting to get one in silver plate, just because I like silver. But I also like the low maintenance for the lacquer.
@@cheers623 what are some things you’ve used it on? Anything archived for listening?
Great video. Sounds good. Now where the heck can I get it. I have been looking for the 5 valve one for more than a month with no luck. Signed up for a notification if they come into stock, and still nothing. Any recommendations?
Buddy Rogers Music in Cincinnati is currently the only store with them in stock. The rest of the Eastman dealers have them on order and are just waiting for the factory.
@cheers623 Thanks for the reply. After calling around, the dealers are saying that Eastman doesn't plan on manufacturing the 5 valve variant until late 2023 or 2024.
@@chriskaufman6561 Sorry, but that's not accurate. I don't know what dealer you're in touch with, but Eastman is making them. It's just a slow process for ordering and shipping, etc. Really sorry to hear you're having a hard time tracking one down. Let me know if you want to know where one currently is...I think I do...
I'm going to be in the market for a big , 6/4 BBb rotary, as arthritis is coming on. Is the 5th. Circuit short enough to set it for sustained "G", and "Ab"? Or, is it too flat ? I'm loving the sound of my BBb 345, having sold my 24-J, 345 is almost as warm, but it's a bit of work, to play in tune at times...Funny thing. I had a hand made Baer CC on my lap a while ago. Beautiful instrument, light weight, but had all the York intonation issues my Holton has!
Spot on, re BBb vs. CC bias! I had the privilege of meeting the late Dr John Richards(Oregon Symphony) in 1980. He was awesome! And, he told his master class to play what they were best on FIRST. He put the 20-J I had at the time on his lap, blew the fundamental, then effortlessly peeled away each partial into the stratosphere!
The selection of great tubas in all keys is at an all time high!
Nice to see an accessible first valve; a problem for me with the other models.
Exactly the idea! Hope you can try one out!
@@cheers623
I ended up buying the 836 after looking for a Bbb horn (562) because I couldn’t get to the first valve slide.
Hey Mr. Olka, do you have any tips for playing in the lower range? My low range is good, it’s just when I play shorter notes in the lower range, it’s very explosive and splatty If you know what I mean. But great tuba! Sounds good
Long tones
Do you own the Snedecor Low Etudes for Tuba book?
It depends on what you mean by “splatty”. Many times people confuse brightness under the bell for a bad tone. If it’s clear sounding under the bell, it’ll probably be darker than you think in the concert hall.
Very impressive. Being the rotary nerd I am, would be interested to see a “sister” horn to this in CC.
I’m already thinking that would be a great tuba!
@@cheers623 yes it would. Look forward to seeing you at IET
Hello - this is Attila Benkö ( Tuba with the Philharmonie Südwestfalen based 80 km east to Cologne/Germany). Last year in August i was looking for a Tuba for one of my students and had the chance to play the 562 in 6 Film Music Concerts. The result was quite surprising because there were lots of thumbs up and smiling faces from my surounding colleagues !! Due to a spinal disc herniation and an surgery last march at the moment i am searching for a more light weight Instrument that fits my needs in the Orchestra. As my Bb is the Melton 197 wich has a weight of aprox 11.8kg i would be very curious about the weight of this impressive Tuba. Unfortunatley Eastman does not have any Specs or information about their Instruments weight ( for example with their sousaphone it only says "light weight"). Thanks in advance for some informations - All the best from Siegen/Germany
Attila
Impressive seriously.. 😮 Fantastic sound.. What type of mouthpiece are you using?
Thanks for the kind words! I’m using my Dillon Olka RCM1 with American shank.
So, could this horn just simply replace a piston c? Under what circumstances do you think you would miss your 836? Love my 836, but that throaty growl…❤️
I think it depends on what type of piston CC you’re talking about. This model is about the size of a PT6 or 5/4 Rudy Meinl.
I want one! Drool drool.
Me too!
So I’m going into my senior year. I was wondering if you could give some advice on purchasing tubas for things like college and also possibly military bands. You do a lot of York tubas which I love and prefer but I’ve read things that say the Kaiser builds are better, so what would you say I should look for
I’d recommend that you play as many different types as you can and decide for yourself. It doesn’t matter what anyone else says. You have to find YOUR musical voice. Hope that helps!
are you going to similarly be 'biased' on their Piston F when it's finally out? I can't wait!
If I don’t love it…it probably won’t be released!
Would you use a different mouthpiece for a rotary tuba vs piston? What would you recommend?
I use Dillon Olka RC1M for rotary valves tubas
How does the EBB825 compare to the Miraphone Hagen 497?
They are both really fantastic tubas. However, in playing aspects, very different. The Hagen is VERY open blowing and responsive, but does take a noticeable bit more air to play. I have to really be in good shape to fill that tuba up. The Eastman bore-size is almost identical to the EBC836. Thus, I don’t have a huge noticeable difference in the amount of air it takes to play and control. For me it’s a perfect compliment to the 6/4 CC tuba. If I’m looking for that classic German rotor tuba sound, the EBB825 is easy for me to switch to, without making big adjustments in how I play. If you were just going to play one BBb tuba, either would make a great choice. You’d just learn to make whichever you choose your foundation for playing. Make sense?
@@cheers623 The Tuba is already " full of air", lol!
Unless you're playing in the vacuum of space...
@@altriplett9099 yep...but adding more tubing...
@@cheers623 I have played quite a few tubas, described as "air hogs", but a bit smaller backbore on the mouthpiece, and a strong abdomen certainly helps. The efficiency of a 6/4 size ax makes up for the extra effort to budget one's air, IMHO
I used to lean on the resistance the air already in an instrument presented, as a crutch to regulate my air use squeezing both triggers on a Bass Trombone is one example.
Any thoughts, re ambient pressure/resistance ( from smaller bore, to number of crooks) affecting tone would be of interest to me.
Hi Chris, thank you for another great T/E video. Are there plans for Eastman to release a piston version? If not can you give them a nudge?! 😂
A piston version of this model…probably not. A LARGE piston BBb…stayed tuned…😬
I’d love to here excerpts on this and the 836 back to back.
I’ll try to do one like that once I have my own personal 825…I had to deliver this one to my student at University waiting for it!!!!😜
Valves vented? I don’t see you using your slide nearly as much and very little other than first.
Would you say the size of this tubas sound is comparable to a Fafner Bb?
I’d say at least as big, but with lots more color.
I noticed you play low D as 5-1-4, and I'm confused by this. I have no experience with a 5 valve instrument, but 2-3-4 is already flat on my instrument, so I don't understand why you'd use even more pipe length. I'd expect 5-1-4 to be 1/3 to 1/2 of a semitone flat. Am I misunderstanding how the 5th valve works? I thought they were typically tuned to give a perfect 5-4 Eb or 5-2-3 B. Are they actually tuned sharper than that?
Also, A4 is super flat on a lot of euphoniums, and playing it 1-2 off the 9th partial C works, just as you found here. I've also seen folks play Ab with 1-2-3, using the 10th partial D.
With 4th valve pushed in, 1,4,5 works really well for D. I use the same fingering on CC tuba for low E. I’ve never played a 5 valve tuba that the 4,5 combination wasn’t sharp unless you pulled either of those slides out. So, when both are pushed in, 1,4,5 usually puts you dead on.
@@cheers623Ah. Thank you.
Does it replace anything that the 836 does?
It definitely plugs into the trombone section more completely than a piston CC tuba.
What do you use to record?
My iPad mini generation 6. Sitting on a music stand…😬
That’s pretty accurate sound for no external mic. Pretty amazing really.