Rotary vs. Piston HB's

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Z-Tuba Dude
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Rotary vs. Piston HB's

Post by Z-Tuba Dude »

For those of you who have tried both, is there a big difference between the piston, and rotor HB tubas? I am particularly curious about the character of the sound of each specimen.

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KenS
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Post by KenS »

I've owned 3. The original HB2 (purchased in 1976) an HB-21 and an HB-2P (an early model and my current horn).

The HB2 and 2P are both very nice horns. Very sweet rich sound.

I did not like the 21. Had a similar tone but lot more resistance to blow and it had some intonation problems (Eb just below the staff was very flat). I ended up selling this to purchase the much older 2P and am not sorry at all...

Anyway - take it for what it is worth - just my opinion. When I sold the 21 through Baltimore Brass Dave Fedderly thought it was a very nice horn.
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