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I've added fifth valves to CC tubas twice and in both cases it moved the horn forward significantly. It should cost you around $1000 buying the parts from one of the European manufacturers and depending on your repair tech. It can be a hard job.

I don't see a return for the money for doing this on BBb's. I'm not a BBb player anymore but Ev Gilmore told me that in his 35 year career he never needed a fifth valve on his BBb tubas.

I don't think it will increase the value of any tuba much above the additional cost but it may increase the market of potential buyers. At this time, most CC players seem to want fifth valves. For a horn that you're just going to sell, I think offering it as a 4 valve would probably be the best place to start. Add a fifth valve if you want to keep it.

Be careful about where you locate the fifth valve and how you match the bore size of the valve with the point of location.

I remember seeing a very old picture of Fred Geib (1872-1950), maybe it was in his method book, but he was holding a tuba with five valves that didn't look like it was intended to be that way. Now I know things have changed a lot since Fred Geib's day, but it looked rather awkward. I would say don't do it. But it's up to you.

A fifth valve is only useful if you need it to play in tune. And if you can't do it the the other four you already have.

The key the horn is in doesn't matter. A BBb can play just as out (or in) tune as a CC. If someone has the bucks and use for a horn with 5 valves, they ought to be able to play either.

If these are "interesting old horns" that you intend to restore, why not just restore them? And let the new owner decide if it needs to be a CC or have another valve. It's original if they want it that way, and any modifications are on their dime. Besides, maybe there's something ELSE they want to do about it!

If your repair guy is worried about the business, sell 'em with his number and suggestions...

Keep in mind the main functions of a (flat tone) 5th valve:

1) a perfect fifth below the 2nd partial - 4+5
2) a minor seventh below the 2nd partial - 1+3+4+5
3) a major seventh below the 2nd partial - all 5 valves

Sure there are other alternates, but these are the big ones...

For a CC tuba:
1) low F
2) low D
3) low Db/C#

For a BBb tuba:
1) low Eb
2) low C
3) low B

For an Eb tuba:
1) low Ab
2) low F
3) low E

For an F tuba:
1) low Bb
2) low G
3) low Gb/F#

In most of the rep I see, I see far more low F's than low Eb's. I don't very often see low C's or B's, but I occasionally see low D's and Db's. So, I think it's more valuable for a CC tuba to have a 5th valve than a BBb tuba.

Obviously, for Eb and F tubas, the fifth valve is a "must."

Can you be more specific, about what horns these are? I think that knowing the specifics about the horns, would influence the final decision.

The 5th valve is more valuable on a CC tuba, because the low range that is often called for in the literature, is made easier with the use of that valve.

I added a 5th rotor my one of my Miraphone 186's a couple of months back. I tuned it to the 2-3 valve combination. It did absolute wonders for the intonation of C# and F#. The original intonation was 'OK' but now the notes really 'pop out'. Like someone else mentioned... "suggesting that it will improve the lower register is nonsense".

http://thevillagetinker.com/miraphone%2 ... ersion.htm

If there isn't a 5th valve on a CC tuba you cannot play chromatically down to pedal C (unless you use false tones). The fifth valve makes you able to play low D and Db. It also makes the dreaded low F in tune (which is played flat as 124 or sharp as 14 on a 4 valve CC tuba).

My teacher plays on a 4 valve York CC. I've asked her if she would ever consider adding a 5th valve. She said no because there is a chance it could change the sound of the instrument. That 5th valve adds an extra little "bump" in the air passage (much like the rotary valve attachments on trombones) which may make it a little stuffy, even when open... and often very stuffy when engaged. I don't think the stuffiness of adding a 5th valve on a tuba is as much compared to the rotor on a trombone, though.

That 5th valve adds an extra little "bump" in the air passage (much like the rotary valve attachments on trombones) which may make it a little stuffy,

That´s what a 5th valve extension in the 4th valve slide would take care of, if you were afraid of stuffiness. But try share those fears with a 3+1 comp-player, though, and you won´t have to wait too long for a hearty laugh on your behalf.

If you asked the guy playing principal BBb tuba in our symphonic band (Who´s playing an awesome, huge Willson 5-valved horn with triggered 2nd valve), he´d answer that he´s definitely NEEDING both every day. He´s taking the part down an octave on a daily basis, so there are Ebs, Cs and Bs with 5th valve combinations all over the place.
(PLEASE, people, hold your fire. This subject has been discussed. This is strongly encouraged by the conductor, and to awesome results in a 90+ band with seven tubas)
On my CC, I NEED that 5th valve as well, since I´m far from proficient in playing trombone on my 4th valve. Plus, F# using 235 is way better in tune than 24. Plus, I´m sometimes asked to join my section mate in the basement register.