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There really isn't that much difference in BB-flat and C tubas other than fingerings.

Make sure Rudy Meinl is in your short list as well.

Tubadad wrote:So much attention is paid to CC and F tubas, and understandably so, but can someone give me some guidance as to the top of the line orchestral model B Flat tubas?

Thanks...

Because the orchestral Bb tubas are made for the German market (orchestral players in the U.S. usually play C instruments), they are more in the German style. That's why the high-end Bb tubas tend to be rotary instruments like the Meinl-Weston Model 195 Fafner and the Rudy Meinl. The Gronitz PBK that Joe mentioned is a piston model. The C version of that instrument is a winner but they are only made to order. The Willson is also a piston model, but it's also like the C (i.e., you have to know what it's doing because it isn't going to give you any feedback).

The Rudy 4/4 is a little smaller than the Fafner, Willson, or Gronitz. The 5/4 is the same size and the 6/4 is bigger--bigger even than a Holton 345.

Holton 345's are truly great instruments but usually a bit worn and never all that consistent. Good ones are world-class big tubas by any measure.

Another tuba to consider is the Miraphone 191. It's a little smaller than the above--probably similar to the Rudy 4/4--but still larger than the run-of-the-mill rotary Bb and plenty good for orchestral purposes.

Another old tuba to look for is the Alexander 163 Bb, which sometimes appears on the market. Alexander was the gold standard of orchestral players before the Yorkophones took over. Not easy to manage, but an amazing sound. The old B&S PT-1 and its variants have a similar sound and are more manageable--one of the great 4/4 rotary tubas with orchestral qualities. But it's the old ones with the tall bell that have the qualities, or so it is reported.

But for the current top of the line in new instruments, the Fafner, PBK, Miraphone 191, Willson 3100, and Rudy Meinl 4/4 or 5/4 tubas are the places to start. Prices for these are similar to high-end C's--bring your checkbook.

Rick "who prefers the Fafner of these based on limited opportunities to try them out" Denney

FWIW, I really like the Willson 3100. What a great horn! It has a tremendous sound and, with work, is extremely agile. I have received nothing but positive remarks about this horn! Expensive, yes, but everything good is!

Check out the Meinl Weston 197/198 BBb rotary horn. Very few Americans know this model. It's a true 6/4 horn and is superior to the fafner. You can hear Stephen Heiman playing his with Stuttgart Opera Orchestra on the Naxos recording of Seigfried. It's amazing.
Cheers
LJK

The BBb 1291 Mirafone is also really good.

Tabor wrote:The BBb 1291 Mirafone is also really good.

I'll second that, as well!