Tuba Trials

[clagar777]

As most of you probably are, I am a car enthusiast and I read a few car magazines. I really enjoy the articles that compare different maker's models (that we can't afford) by putting them through tests such as quarter mile and 0 to 60 (shootouts).

Has this type of thing been done with tubas (that we can't afford)? I think it would be cool to have some fine players and some horn makers cooperate for this. They could compare all of the flagship models, like playing excerpts, or whole concerts on the MW 2265, 6450, 2000; HB-50; Nirshl York copy; Yamaha York copy; PT-6, 7; Gronitz PCK;...the original York CC's.

Would that be cool

[John Caves]

The magazine is the Brass Bulletin.

http://www.brass-bulletin.com/[/url]

[DonShirer]

Tuba News has occasional reviews, but they usually are not multi-instrument comparisons.

http://www.tubanews.com

[tubatooter1940]

I agree. I would love to read about world-class players putting high dollar tubas through their paces.

[Mark]

I agree. I would love to read about world-class players putting high dollar tubas through their paces.

So many of the top players are x-brand tuba artists that it would be hard to find unbiased testers. Also, where would a top player be on the waiting list for the new YamaYork if he gave a less than favorable review of a Yamaha 641 BBb?

[SplatterTone]

I think it would be great if sound samples of different horns playing the same music in the same acoustic environment were available. There might be some problem because a lot of what comes out of a horn depends on what goes into a horn. What performer X puts into a horn will not be the same as what performer Y puts into a horn. So the horns do different things for the different performers. However, with the understanding that Joe Bob likes his brand xyz horn and will always impart a little extra soul to the sound when playing it, I'll try to factor that in when Joe Bob plays brand abc horn.

A tuba sales person, performer (and probably teacher), very well known to this forum and held in high regard, told me (and I quote): The Miraphone 1291 is the best damned B-flat out there. I would expect that this person will always sound better on his 1291 than on anything else. But I'd still like to hear him demo the 186, 191, (Miraphone and Allora) and 1291.

[sc_curtis]

Doubt they would sell enough mags to justify it. Probably why it hasn't been done.

[SplatterTone]

why it hasn't been done.

Lack of tuba players willing to pose for the centerfold.
(and even greater lack of people who would want to look at said centerfold)

[KevinMadden]

thats why you put the tuba not the player at the centerfold....horn dorn anyone?

[Dan Schultz]

.... I think it would be cool to have some fine players and some horn makers cooperate for this. They could compare all of the flagship models...

I think it would be wonderful to have some of the 'The Greats' give us a non-biased trial of main-stream tubas. (I mean the ones most of us could afford!) Of course, this probably will never happen as long as 'The Greats' are busy working with manufacturers to develop signature tubas. I'm now saying that's bad,... it just doesn't lent itself well to get one of the top players to give us a true opinion of say.... a Weril.