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Alright...I've been playing on a PT-50 for several years now, and I have achieved a sound that I am happy with...as a soloist. Not too bright, but not dark. Nice and warm, like a big euphonium sound. But I don't nearly have a dark enough sound for orchestra playing. It's "good enough", but not ideal. I'm pretty sure I know how to fix this, but still could use some ideas. I know switching to a bigger mouthpiece will help, but it will also give a blatty sound easier than my 50. Also I'm playing on a Mira(F)one 186 5 valve BBb. It's not the greatest horn...lets just leave it at that. I'm looking at a MWeston 2155, which should help. Any other ideas??

Different tuba players have different voices. I can listen to some solo recordings and tell who is playing by the timbre. You need to develop your own sound and not try to change what cannot be changed. Work on that first. I will never have a darker sound than I have, nor brighter, nor edgier, but I can play louder. Work on what you need to work on and don't worry so much about changing your equipment. You are still young. A Mirafone 186 horn is fine. I have used my 186 CC tuba successfully for the past 32 years.

Bill