Tuba virtuoso Steve Sykes will be playing in Cheltenham this weekend — but not with a lucky band (although he is conducting St Austell).

Steve has been working alongside Paul Riggett of Sterling Musical Instruments in the development of the new Sterling EEb tuba — one that shares the remarkable playing characteristics and pedigree of the ground breaking Sterling euphonium range.

Showing off

As Steve told 4BR: "It’s going to be great showing off the amazing attributes of the instrument — although I promise I will be quiet!

It’s a premium instrument of outstanding build quality and tonality and has the superb flexibility required — just like the Sterling euphonium. Don’t just take my word for it either — so come along and test it for yourselves. I may need to rest my lip!"

No one better

Paul Riggett is also excited by the company’s newest addition. "You can’t ask for anyone better than Steve to showcase a new instrument — and especially one that he has been so actively involved with.

I think it is a superb tuba that takes the instrument into new musical territory."

Flexibility

He added: “It's an instrument capable of great power and projection whilst also having the flexibility and clarity to be articulate even in the softest pianissimo passages.”

I think it is a superb tuba that takes the instrument into new musical territoryPaul Riggett, Sterling Musical Instruments

Choices

Paul also revealed that as with the Sterling euphonium, the company will offer a number of bespoke options – such as the choice of leadpipe heights for example, whilst thee is also the addition of a main slide tuning trigger mechanism.

"That isn’t a gimmick," Paul added. "It’s a very useful device and players will find it invaluable in fine tuning their performances."