Better tuba for an orchestra?

[MOBTubist]

Hi everyone.

Up until recently I've been playing in wind ensembles and brass bands, so my 1291 has been great.
But now that I'm in an orchestra, I was wondering if it might be better to get a different horn.
I've gotten a lineup for a trade for a 4v B&S (I've always liked German-style horns) and I would like to know if that would be better than my 5v 1291.
Thanks for your consideration!

[bort]

If there's something particular that you don't like about the 1291 (or if this is a piston/rotary thing), then consider a change. But I think that change for the sake of change is unnecessary.

[Untersatz]

Well Jack............looks like it's unanimous

That 1291 should serve you well for just about ANYTHING

[bort]

Well, I don't know... I could understand why you might want a different tuba for orchestra.

I used to own a 1291, and I thought it was great for band work. However, for orchestra and other stuff, it just sounded really heavy and didn't blend as well as it did in a (LOUD) band. I ended up selling the 1291 when I bought my Marzan, and the Marzan had a rich and colorful sound that I thought worked much better. I sold the Marzan and now have a 188, which I think is better in orchestra than band, but really a great tuba (for me) for everything.

Frankly, any of those 3 tubas would be great, and there's nothing "wrong" with any of them. But I'm just a hack, and it's easier to change the tuba than it is to change my playing, right?

[thattubaguy]

I've always really liked Alexanders and Kanstuls in orchestra. The new Kanstuls are awesome, and vintage Alexanders are always really, really fun for orchestra.

[swillafew]

Miraphone ought to be German enough, and I see you have two. Good move!

[Bob Kolada]

All the 191/1291 horns are fantastic. I think it's a bad trade, especially financially.

[Mark]

The 1291 is a great tuba for orchestra.

[royjohn]

Maybe a different mouthpiece for orchestral playing would help? A lot cheaper than trading horns. If it seems to dark, something to lighten (brighten) it up a little? Maybe someone who knows more than I do about 1291's could suggest something, particularly someone who uses one in an orchestra.

[Lee Stofer]

I second elephant's comments, and will add this; If I had a Nickel for every time I've heard someone say, "I had (fill in make and model) _______________ tuba, sold/traded it, and now I wish I had never gotten rid of it".

So, I say, NO. Play what you have, attend to it's mechanical needs such as washing it and maintaining it, but most importantly use it to it's best while attending to the most important part of playing, which occurs in the roughly 6 inches between your ears.

[Lectron]

Should I buy an YCB-826S if I see that there is a Yoshimatsu piece on a subsequent year's sub. series ?

No.

It is my understanding it's based on an old American design and should be used on American music only.

More questions?