Help with a Horn

[Slamson]

In my opinion, the best advice you've been getting is that your first horn won't be your last (as long as you keep playing, of course.) That being said, my first tuba was a Mirafone 186 CC. Since then I've bought six other horns, but I still have the 186, and frequently haul it out for certain performances. Part of it is probably nostalgia, but the 186's moniker of "jack of all trades" is well-deserved. Considering that you're currently used to a 641, something like the 186 would be a great transitional horn for you. In general, you'd experience better tone, better intonation control,and probably feel better about phrasing. If you get a 5/4 or 6/4 size instrument, I would fear that the dramatic difference in technique that is involved could cause a temporary setback in your playing that you might find, shall we say, "depressing". Someday, if you keep at it, you'll find yourself feeling that you could fill up a bigger horn, but frankly, I believe that will take a little time.

There's no shame in not having the biggest, heaviest, fattest Mack truck in the pack. Good sound starts in the brain, not the bell. But if you feel that you must have a larger horn right away, I'd go for the PT-6 or the 1291/2. Just make sure you get a teacher right away!