Why use an F tuba?

[Steve Marcus]

Harold asked:

Are there any players in a major US symphony playing an Eb?

Chen commented:

Years ago I heard Rex Martin live, he played Hindemith sonate on a Besson Eb tuba, and I was blown away;

Rex plays his Besson Eb for most orchestral applications except those that require a really big horn, in which he'll play his 5/4 Rudy CC.

Chen qualified his comment with:

although it was somewhat different from, I dare say, the true British feel in John Fletcher's sound.

Interesting, because Rex has stated that John Fletcher is one of his favorite tubists for the sound that he produced.

[windshieldbug]

I suspect that rather than key of instrument, what this thread might be covering is type of sound, and the instruments capable of producing them:

Orchestral
Band
Solo
Quintet

[MikeMason]

Doesn't Wes Jacobs in Detroit use an Eb?To me,a comp Eb sounds like a big euph, a bit bland,but nice.Good rotary Fs have a much more alive,interesting,magic sound.This really hit home to me hearing Chester Schmitz soloing with the Pensacola Symph. a few New Year's Eve concerts ago.I now own a similar instrument in pursuit of getting a little bit of that sound(mostly but not totally in vain).

[Mark]

He does live in Washington. I'm SURE they don't have tacos as good as down here in South Texas!

You might be surprised. I will only point out that when Vincente Fox last visited the United States, his first stop was Yakima, Washington. Oh, and one more thing, 17 of the 20 most wanted by our state police are illegal aliens from south of the border.

[windshieldbug]

For the most part, I can't tell the difference - especially in the hands of a good player. So, if everything else is equal, why would someone choose a bad F over a good Eb?

I think that's the issue; rarely is everything else equal!

(But if they were, I'd agree with you!)