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I just got my PT-6 in today! I don't have two brand new tubas but I do have a comparison of the 6 and 606 for you guys. Oh, and I do have another new instrument. Brand new with it's Reunion Buns gig bag:

I want that weenie whistle!!! Oh, nice horns by the way...

Ralph

I did try out a MW 2165, not a 2155 though. I was really looking forward to seeing how it played but, I must have found one that wasn't up to par with the rest of them. As for the Nirschl, I am selling the PT-606 to pay for the PT-6 (and selling the Weenie Whistle to Ralph) so, I couldn't afford that much for just one tuba.

I want to hear the Weenie Whistle processed through the effects board!

Just how do you play a 4th valve that is laterally straight down rather than curved around to match the hand?

MAGIC!

Just how do you play a 4th valve that is laterally straight down rather than curved around to match the hand?

That´s simple to answer. Look at your hand with slightly spread, but straight fingers. On my hand, the middle finger is the longest, index- and ring fingers are about the same length and the pinky is the shortest.

I can connect the tips of my middle-, ring-, and pinky fingers using an almost straight line, but couldn´t do so with my index-, middle-, and ring fingers: since the middle finger protrudes about half an inch, I need a curve (or two lines at an angle) to connect the latter group of fingertips.

To summarize:
- I need one line to connect index-and middle fingertips.
- I need a second line to connect middle., ring,- and pinky fingertips.
- the same two lines are needed to connect valves 12 and 234 respectively.
- fazit: the alignment shown on these pics (234 in one line, 1 with a slight offset) is ergonomically better than 123 in a straight line and 4 at an offset.

Does that make sense ?

Thanks. My ring finger is a bit longer than average, and my pinky is @ 3cm shorter than my ring finger, so this valve configuration does not work for me.

Well, You asked how I play with the mentioned alignment, so I told you why I think this alignment is superior to other setups. From what you tell me, a CURVED alignment of ALL valves seems to work better for YOU. There are brands which have that alignment (I forget which brands, but somebody will know. Kalison comes to my mind). Sounds like one of those would work better for you (but not me).

Yes, indeed. Thanks again. I'm really fond of my Besson BBb comp 3-valve.

Isn't it a great thing that there are numerous manufacturers so that finger ergonomics can be accomodated, as well as other physical attributes and tonal/repertoire requirements!

Those two tubas look like jewelry.
I was endowed with a meat whistle at birth.