Ohh The Choices!!

BriceT · Post by **BriceT** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 9:17 pm

Im buying my first tuba, and i have a long list of tubas to think about. I'm thinking of Meinl Weston 2145, B&S PT-3, PT-606, PT-6, Conn 52J, 54J, 56J(satin silver or silver plated?), Miraphone 1291, 186, and 187. I would definitely appreciate any help, suggestions, or opinions about these tubas. Thanks

BriceT · Post by **BriceT** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 10:09 pm

Ok, I'm in high school and im looking for a C tuba. I'm planning on majoring in music and it will be my profession. By the way take out the 186 and 187, it will narrow my surch a little bit. I'm looking for a tuba with 4 pistons and 1 rotor. Thanks

LoyalTubist · Post by **LoyalTubist** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 10:19 pm

Many of us aspired to be professional players but are now doing something else. I hope you can bring food to your family's table by playing tuba.

In 1973, I took a few private lessons from the late, great Tommy Johnson. One of the things he told me, "Bill, do you know it's easier for you to get a job as an NFL quarterback than it is to get a full time tuba job, outside the military? Try to find a line of work outside music or be a public school music teacher. If you are good enough, you will make a living with the tuba without the education."

I didn't listen to him and I majored in music anyway. I should have listened.

Toobist · Post by **Toobist** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 11:11 am

I'll add my $0.02 just to confuse you further. The PT-606 is much more like the sort of horn that speaks to me personally. The PT-6 is a great one too (my pref. is pistons though).

All of the above advice is great. I'd also suggest talking to your private teacher. If you don't have one-get one. I might even suggest doing so before you shell out the coin on a new and costly instrument. At this point in your playing you may or may not be able to really realize the benefits/cons of each instrument that you're play-testing. Back in highschool I used to drive across the river and through Detroit for my lessons that took place right in the warehouse at Custom Music. I'd play through a few 100k of tuba in an evening! Truthfully though, as much as I enjoyed each horn, I wouldn't have been able to decide which one(s) were most suited to me or which ones would be useful and versatile. When I was selecting a horn for the first time I knew that I wasn't going to be able to buy an F or Eb for a good long time. The tuba I bought had to be useful in every setting. Are you going to have access to a bass tuba straight away or soon? The 4/4 horns on your list would all be useful in most settings I'd say. I was lucky in that I had pro tuba players to guide me toward the best horn for me.

I still play that horn today and it's served me very well. Good luck in finding the perfect horn for yourself and please consult your private teacher.

Wyvern · Post by **Wyvern** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 12:40 pm

The PT-20 has replaced the PT-4. It is completely redesigned with a larger 19" bell. I think it is great - certainly worth a try.

The PT-3 is designated 3/4 size, so is probably rather too small for an all purpose tuba.

If 5/4 are under consideration, why not also try the MW 2000 and 2155. I was impressed by the latter when I tried one.

Wyvern · Post by **Wyvern** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 5:16 pm

Doc wrote:Hey Neptune,

Played the Meinl Weston Thor yet?

Yes, I have had a quick blow on one. Although about the same size as PT-6, plays very different. Like a 4/4 on steroids. Its got the right name - it does thunder!

Leland · Post by **Leland** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 10:42 pm

LoyalTubist wrote:Many of us aspired to be professional players but are now doing something else. I hope you can bring food to your family's table by playing tuba.

What he said. ^^^

College may be coming up fast, but it's nowhere close to being finished yet. I'd honestly recommend to stick with whatever you've got now. Or, if you don't yet own a tuba and/or really want to start playing on a CC horn, get something used, cheap, and in decent shape.

My point is, if you're going to get really good, you'll get really good regardless of the instrument you're playing. All it has to do is not leak and not have sticky valves.

Leland · Post by **Leland** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 11:03 pm

Greg wrote: The instrument you like in high school may be the instrument you are trying to sell as a freshman in college.....

Or after you've changed your major to Atmospheric Sciences...

iiipopes · Post by **iiipopes** » Sun Apr 29, 2007 9:05 am

When I went on my recent tuba safari, I was not intending on purchasing a 186, either. But when the one I purchased showed up with both bells, for my budget and playing situation it was the horn that did the job.

Don't automatically discount any particular brand, especially Miraphone.

The Big Ben · Post by **The Big Ben** » Sun Apr 29, 2007 12:14 pm

Greg wrote:
iiipopes wrote:When I went on my recent tuba safari, I was not intending on purchasing a 186, either. But when the one I purchased showed up with both bells, for my budget and playing situation it was the horn that did the job.

Don't automatically discount any particular brand, especially Miraphone.
Both bells? Do these tubas come with two bells? If so, what is the difference between the two? Is one a bell-front or recording bell and the other a bell up?

They can/did. Not sure of the time frame but I have seen a few detachable bell 186s besides lllpopes.

iiipopes · Post by **iiipopes** » Sun Apr 29, 2007 4:52 pm

My upright bell is a retrofit St Pete bell. Give a dark tone because of the wide throat/less flare 16 1/2 rim along with my Wick 1L.

The only problem with it is the bell is too short and I had to have tubatinker lengthen a main tuning slide for it.

tubawallace · Post by **tubawallace** » Sun Apr 29, 2007 11:20 pm

I've heard great things about the 'Thor'. For that money, it is worth checking out the Nirschl 4/4 tubas if Custom Music has any more. Both are top notch instuments in every way.

UTTuba_09 · Post by **UTTuba_09** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 2:44 pm

JeremyI wrote:If your looking for a "all around" horn I wouldn't discount the Kalison DS models. I bought one my freshman year of college and it has served me very well. They have somewhat of a bad rep, but if you can sit down and pick one out there are some good ones. It will be great for college, until you can buy a bass tuba and then you can trade it in/sell it when you look for a larger tuba if you feel that you'll be needed something larger.

I'll second that. The Daryl Smith is an excellent all around horn as well as a great transitional BBb - CC horn. Comes at a great price and will last you until you're ready to buy a bigger CC. But always try a bunch of horns out before you buy...