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When I played in the Palmetto Concert Band, the third tubist used a PT3p. This group was about 80 musicians strong and most of the time we only had three tubas. The person with the PT3p aquited himself very well and was strong enough for the large band. Of course this has a lot to do with the musician (he was excellent), but I never thought that he had to get another tuba. It really depends on what you want, but I think that this is a fine all around tuba.

best,
Mark

My first CC was a PT3. I would love to have it back. I used it for my Senior recital which included the Vaughan Williams and for band and orchestra. Nobody ever told me it was too small.

If I found a good deal on a PT3, I'd buy it. Sometimes I regret letting the "bigger is better" contingent suck me in.

The horn seemed to fill the same nitch as a Mirafone 186 or any other smallish 4/4 horn. Many say it is best as a chamber and smaller orchestra horn, but I felt I was good at everything.

at TMEA a couple of years back i was looking for a CC tuba and fell in love w/ the perantucci line. i tried the PT3, PT4, and the PT20 (which i currently own). the only difference i found between the 3 and 4 was that the 4 was a little bit more freeblowing and has a slightly larger bell. now if you're looking for a 4/4 tuba to use with a large group but still be able to play light enough for small ensembles i would reccomend the PT20. it has gone far beyond anything i could have asked for. i currently use it in wind ensemble, orchestra and in the student brass quintet and solos. paired with right mouthpiece and it's limitless to what you can do. im using a PT88 (i have rather large chops) and it's a match made in heaven. don't limit yourself to the the PT3 though. the miraphone 1291 and 1292 are very nice horns and so is the melton 2145. the best horn for the money would be the miraphones. good luck!!

-casey

ditto on the miraphones and especially the 2145!

I'm a happy PT-3 user -- I think it's a good all-around horn, but I haven't really compared it to anything recently. (I'm also not a music major who needs to audition for a job in the future.)

I've used it in bands, brass ensembles, and orchestra. I'm currently playing in a 96 person university orchestra and I've never gotten any complaints. Sometimes I feel like it might be a bit small, but that may be as much me as anything. Maybe when I get out of grad school and get a real job I'll try something bigger, though, I'd prefer to add a bigger horn rather than replace my PT3 entirely.

I also use a PT88 mouthpiece.

Good luck with your horn search,
-Evan