TubeNet

I had the distinct pleasure of playing a friend's new B&S BBb a few nights ago. I am totally blown away by the valves. They are cushiony soft, but tight and fast. What is the difference with them, as far as construction? I thought my 186's valves were just great, until I played the B&S.

You are very much describing how I have found the rotary valves on my new PT-20.

I would also be interested in what B&S have changed? The valves on my year old Neptune are satisfactory in that they never stick, but there is still slight resistance and they are not stupendously silky smooth like the new PT-20, where they are a dream to use.

This improvement also seems to apply to Melton/M-W (they are after all, are in the same group) as I have also found this the case with my new gold brass Eb where the valves are much smoother than on my previous (2 years old) yellow brass model. This is not because it is new, as the valves on the previous tuba were never quite that good even when new.

Jonathan "who is really impressed"