Looking for a good horn.

[toobagrowl]

I really like the St. Petersburg, I love the tone that it can produce. However I like a Miraphone that I am playing with my school. It is a 5 valve CC I think a 5/4 size. It plays lows beautiful and it is amazingly easy to play quiet. I have not liked any of the other miraphones that i have played (some dinky 4 valve BBb and one 184 5 valve C (the little one you talked about earlier.) But i am open to all the suggestions there are..


What do you think about Yamaha ?

Thanks Jared

Yeah, the St. Petes give a nice big dark sound for their size. Very in-tune and responsive too. But people still give them flack for their thin metal and finish and valves. But the newer ones (last 6-7 years) have the better valves and you can get them in lacquer finish if you want...

Yamahas have a more "bland" sound than most other tubas, imo. Very consistent though and pricey.

We have so many options of tubas now, new and old. There is something for everyone. The difference in size and style/shape trumps key of tuba. With that said, if you take the same/similar model of tubas in CC and BBb and play them side by side there is a small difference. The BBb model will have a slightly richer/darker/smoother sound in comparison. The CC model will have slightly quicker/more immediate response and have a more 'punchy' or 'articulated' sound.

[Levaix]

Thanks everyone for your insight. I taking what you have all said in mind, I think that BBb And CC doesnt matter, but what the horn sounds like instead (as some of you have stated). So I guess I am left to one more question that I understand I need to make, but it is nice to have feedback from such knowledgable sources, and that is what tuba- or rather what Tubas would be acceptable as to the fact that i will probably get a used horn. I really like the St. Petersburg, I love the tone that it can produce. However I like a Miraphone that I am playing with my school. It is a 5 valve CC I think a 5/4 size. It plays lows beautiful and it is amazingly easy to play quiet. I have not liked any of the other miraphones that i have played (some dinky 4 valve BBb and one 184 5 valve C (the little one you talked about earlier.) But i am open to all the suggestions there are..


What do you think about Yamaha ?

Thanks Jared

I haven't much cared for the Yamahas I've played. One upright Eb 4 valve (which was miserable) and a 4 rotor BBb (which was average).

If you can find one of those old BBb German stencils, you'll be happy with it. I like mine more than any of the Miraphone 186's I've played, and it's an extremely versatile and fun tuba. Plus you'll generally find them for under $2000.

[ghmerrill]

(Anyone else noticing a pattern of new posters "seeking purchase advice"
who are then given immediate advice from...fans of a certain supply chain?)

Yeah, I have to agree. The constant pimping for Miraphone is really outrageous.

[bort]

Yeah, I have to agree. The constant pimping for Miraphone is really outrageous.

HA! Good one!

[lowtones425]

Hello OP,

If you happened to come across some extra coin, I would highly recommend looking into a used Rudolf Meinl 3/4 CC tuba. All the tuba you'll ever need, small enough to be an all around horn (slightly more compact than a 186 BBb) and they are usually fabulous horns that play like heaven. Mine is a vintage-ish one, about 20 years old. I absolutely love it, and if you speak to nearly any Rudy owner they will likely have nothing but good things to say.

In any case, don't hurry to buy a horn right away, try to get something really nice that will give you a feeling of security. Often, you won't find your perfect tuba, rather it will find you!

Good luck!