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Sounds like somebody needs their valves lined up. Or get the dead rat out of the horn.

probably dead rat but could be many problems.

Misaligned valves
dents
Air leaks (if the rotors are completely dry you get a little bit of air leak)

I am VERY glad I went and spent 5 grand on a new miraphone. This problem is likely unique to the horn and he should get it checked out.

I remember I used to stuff my pep band jacket in the bell of my tuba and would sometimes forget to take it out. I would wonder what was going on, and then when I turned the tuba over LO AND BEHOLD there was my jacket!

The 1291 is notorious for being free blowing, not stuffy. Mine is wonderful, of course I have the CC version....

I think the 1291 5 valve BBb tuba is one of the best, open playing horns out there - to the point where I have actually purchased one. I haven't played one that I would consider any where near "stuffy". It sounds like there is some other underlying problem that needs to be addressed. I agree with the other posters who mentioned a valve alignment as this can have a major impact on the playability of any horn.

Just my $0.02

prototypedenNIS wrote:probably dead rat but could be many problems.

I remember a time about a year ago that my horn just wasn't playing right. I turned it upside down and shook it, and one of my kids' stuffed animals fell out!

I'll bet you a quarter that it will play a lot better after the 5th valve is removed.

Art Hovey wrote:I'll bet you a quarter that it will play a lot better after the 5th valve is removed.

Double or nothin it doesnt. I use my fifth valve all the time on my CC. If you wanna play in tune around low f, the 5th valve really helps and it sounds better too.