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Meinl Weston 45-slp can easily cover all these facets of playing. I am not as familiar with the Yamaha's, but I hear those could do the job as well.

If after your research, you find yourself interested in a Meinl, I have got one of the very best ones made, and it is for sale.

tubajrod@sbcglobal.net

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Tom wrote:...I previously owned a PT10 which was basically an unplayable horn for me since I wanted an all around F tuba and I just could not make that PT10 play in tune or play low. Others have played the exact same horn without problems both before and after I owned it, so perhaps it's just me...there are people out there (like bloke) that have owned these tubas for years and wouldn't part with them for anything...I'm just not one of them.

Don't confuse a PT-10 with a B&S Symphonie. The latter is older, has five different bores rather than three, and mine at least plays in tune. It also has a more characteristic F tuba sound to my ears, and truly excellent projection without sounding like a small CC, and can easily survive in large ensemble applications. In fact, that's why I bought mine. But the C does require a more special approach, though it's not as hard to do as all that.

If you don't mind the small CC sound and want a horn that will play big stuff, the Willson F (just like the Eb) is awfully hard to beat, either the piston or rotary model.

And make sure to try the Miraphone 181, which has as good a low range as any F I've played. Its sound also tends in the small CC direction. Ditto the Meinl-Weston 46SLZ.

And then there's the Yamaha 822, which is a good option if you like the sound.

Rick "who would suggest different choices if you took away the large ensemble requirement" Denney

Don't confuse a PT-10 with a B&S Symphonie. The latter is older, has five different bores rather than three, and mine at least plays in tune. It also has a more characteristic F tuba sound to my ears, and truly excellent projection without sounding like a small CC, and can easily survive in large ensemble applications. In fact, that's why I bought mine. But the C does require a more special approach, though it's not as hard to do as all that.

What I actually had was a model the hasn't existed for a long time...It was a very, very early "Perantucci Model" F. If you wanted a B&S tuba in (according to the original owner) 1984, that's all you could get...one model...an "orchestral f tuba." I don't know if it was a 3 bore or a 5. It is not a Symphonie and I know that, and actually isn't a PT10 either.

I was talking about B&S tubas in general, but I know there are many different models and that not every tuba plays the same. My B&S didn't work for me...that's all I meant. I'm glad to hear that your Symphonie works for you...I had trouble with my B&S.

The Gronitz PF-125 would be a great choice for an all-around F tuba. I have one and it is the most fun horn to play that I've ever tried. The range and intonation are superb, and its got real "balls." Also, the 5th valve is set up as a tri-tone, so the lower register can be played clearly and in tune. It takes a little getting used to, but I'd never want an F without that setup.

Wallace wrote:The Gronitz PF-125 would be a great choice for an all-around F tuba. I have one and it is the most fun horn to play that I've ever tried. The range and intonation are superb, and its got real "balls." Also, the 5th valve is set up as a tri-tone, so the lower register can be played clearly and in tune. It takes a little getting used to, but I'd never want an F without that setup.

I always forget about the Gronitz F tubas. I tried the piston and rotor one at a conference and I really, really liked the piston one. Now that Tony Clements sells these, they aren't quite as hard to get as they were when I was looking...that "other" dealer is part of the reason I gave up and went with (at the time) a B&S...after that I found the perfect F tuba for me...rather I got the previous owner to give up the tuba that turned out to be the perfect F tuba for me.

I am surprised more has not been said about the big Yamaha F, the YFB-822. This horn virtually looks like a CC to the untrained eye, and definitely sounds like a CC throughout most of the middle and lower register. Within the last year I have heard two different ensembles using them and both times the trombone players with me thought they were CC's. If I was to have an F as an only horn, it would probably be a new silver 822 (assuming I could afford it ) BTW, the smaller 621 F has sort of a 3/4 CC timbre, but does not have the weight of sound of the larger 822.