New B&S PT606P

[Tubaguyjoe]

Hey fellow tubenetters, im getting ready to sell my meinl weston 2145 and Im wondering if anyone has played this new B&S horn. It sounds promising...wondering if it is any good. If you have any info let me know please. Thanks. -Joe

[Scott Sutherland]

Hi Joe,

I just played the B&S and a Mira 1291 yesterday. I felt both were similar instruments, with the B&S having a more American, dark York sound and the Miraphone having a slightly brighter, more German sound. The Miraphone would probably have a easier time projecting in an orchestra, particularly being brighter, and the B&S would be more "felt than heard," even though I thought the B&S had a slighly bigger sound. Your mileage may vary, and I would definitely try to get your hands on both of these horns and try them out next to each other if you can.

Good luck!
Scott

[Paul S]

Hi Joe,
……with the B&S having a more American, dark York sound and the Miraphone having a slightly brighter, more German sound. The Miraphone would probably have a easier time projecting in an orchestra, particularly being brighter, and the B&S would be more "felt than heard," even though I thought the B&S had a slightly bigger sound….. Good luck! Scott

Hi Joe,

I believe Scott got it right in his comparison of the 1291 and PT-606. The PT-606 is indeed an American York type tuba and you do feel it as much as hear it.

I own a PT-606 (also called the GR-41 Grand Rapids York Heritage) and have been using it as my main symphony horn for the past three months.

The GR-41 is the reason I fell in love with tuba to start with. It helps me produce the sound I think a tuba should have. It is stout and extremely well made in addition to being a fantastic sounding horn. I love mine more and more each day. It simply makes me sound far better than I am.

The low end was just there with almost no effort on each of the group of horns I tried at Custom Music. The horn is mouthpiece sensitive and can give you different personalities and sizes with variation. It produces a sound like an early BAT when you put a funnel mouthpiece in it (I found a PT-50+ to be perfect especially with dead-on intonation across the scale) but it can be lighter and very sweet sounding too with something like a Laskey 30H or PT-42. The first rehearsal where I used it, the principal clarinetist and our concertmistress both came over to comment on the horn being the “prettiestâ€

[Paul S]

Hey fellow tubenetters, im getting ready to sell my meinl weston 2145 and Im wondering if anyone has played this new B&S horn. It sounds promising...wondering if it is any good. If you have any info let me know please. Thanks. -Joe

Joe,

I got carried away with my comments on the PT-606 but I know there are others who love theirs too and have far superior credentials than I.

Drop a note to Master Sergeant Cameron Gates, Principal Tuba, United State Marine Band (The President's Own) to get info from someone who has owned a PT-606 longer than anyone else that I know of. He frequents the list often and you can get hold of him with a message on his profile page at: profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=209 Be prepared that he makes me seem rather wishy-washy about the PT-606 in comparison, but can talk more about durability, construction and use in top tier ensembles.

Another happy PT-606 owner is Chief Master Sgt. William D. Porter of the US Air Force Band. I am not sure if he vists the list here often but I know he absolutley loves his too.

Good Luck in your quest. The PT-606 might not be the sound you want but it is worth making the effort to find out.

[Cameron Gates]

Hey fellow tubenetters, im getting ready to sell my meinl weston 2145 and Im wondering if anyone has played this new B&S horn. It sounds promising...wondering if it is any good. If you have any info let me know please. Thanks. -Joe

Joe,

I got carried away with my comments on the PT-606 but I know there are others who love theirs too and have far superior credentials than I.

"Far superior credentials", not. Unless you are talking about my unmatched ability to make a Marine Band shoe smell.

I have to say "ditto" to all that Paul said. The horn is the bomb. I have USE of a Nirschl 6/4 and love it. I own a 606 and REALLY love it. For me, if I had to use only one horn, the 606 would be it.

I am still questioning why some people are lumping the 606 and 1291 in the same category. That 1291 is fun to play and all, it just seems a little light in sound. The 606 can be as light as the 1291 and almost as dominant as a Nirschl 6/4. It is the only instrument I have played that I said "I gotta get one".

Paul said it all, I can't write, so I am out.

Cameron Gates

[Tabor]

oooo that horn.

aaaaga ga




Tabor