Wessex Xl TB 576 recording bass tuba.. Many years ago the great American recording bass was ubiquitous in collegiate music departments as a wind symphony instrument of choice. The great jazz era from the 192o’s through the 1970’s and beyond in the great jazz revival that continues today..The great recording basses were typically 5/4-6/4 instruments from Conn, King, Holton, York and Martin. (The Martin could be had with Rotary valves and the King Bill Bell had them standard) Sadly the above tubas have been out of production for decades. The only way to even try one was to know a restoration professional or an “Indiana Jones” type collector. The next generation of tuba players may never experience the thrill of the presence of sound that you can both hear and feel. Until now. (Full disclosure, my other tuba is a Wessex Leviathan also a big sound you can feel and hear.) The burning question: If I enjoy the above mentioned tubas, will I be happy with the XL? The answer is YES with flying colors. First of all don’t be put off by the 22” recording bell, it focuses fast and emits a big as a house core. This is a great choice for a room with poor acoustics. The bell is the large throat type like the old Yorks and Holtons. The upright 19” bell behaves nicely. Nit Picks and Foibles: No more third valve slide extender ring! On the other hand the new 5th valve throw is superb! The clear bumper stops are like JuJuBees (think gummy bears) I worry that some synthetic oils may dissolve them. Use a needle oiler to be safe. Make sure the main tuning slide clears your seat and or pedestal- water key will open! 5th valve gives you a choice Ab or G (nice) I have had this instrument since the beginning of 11/2022 and continue to be pleasantly surprised Howard Miyata Associate Director Pacific Brass Jazz tuba player at large Bob Schultz Frisco Jazz Band, Sierra Stompers and Sierra Seven PS please post a picture of the bell front on the web site, it really is beautiful.