main slide "kicker"

[Bob Kolada]

No experience with that yet, but I think I'd prefer a usable main slide AND a long 4th (5th?) valve slide solely for the low range. I believe the reason tuba players fear main slides is that there is a much longer learning curve. See first year baritone players and first year trombone players.

I've referenced this before and we'll see how it actually turns out, but I'm getting a small utility 3 banger put together with a long top main slide, top slides on all the valves, and the builder is planning the 3rd being pullable to 2 steps. That will give me the option to pull for 123 with any valve slide OR the top main slide.