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Hi all....

Just checking if I got this right (I use a GW Baer, love it).

1st valve slide, just a hair out.
2nd valve slide, completely in.
3rd valve slide, out about 2,5 cm.
4th valve slide, out about 0,5 cm.

From BBb to Bb:
BBb, open
BB, 2 + 4 (5 cents sharp)
C, 4
Dd, 2 + 3
D, 3
E, 2
Eb, 1
F, open
Gb, 2 + 3
G, 3 (!)
Ab, 1
A, 2
Bb, open

If I use 1+2 I have to pull a lot (4 cm). Low G is in tune with 1+2 and slides pushed in.

Alternatives????

Hey Wilco, I own the CC model of your horn, and I have a few of the same pitch tendencies you do, relative to my fundamental of course.

My C# (your B) is a little bit sharp when I play it too. I have a fifth valve, but I feel doing a 2+3+5 combination makes it too flat and changes the tone too much. So I play it 2+4 and pull out a little bit on my fourth valve slide to compensate. I haven't taken a good look at the BBb 1291, but I assume the fourth valve slide is convenient to pull and is most likely somewhere near where your left hand is. If it is, that's a simple option.

Don't by alarmed by using 3 instead of 1+2. If it makes the horn sound better in tune, go for it! My A at the top of the staff (your G) is quite sharp 1+2, so I play it 3 when I remember to. Sometimes my E in the staff (your D) is flat, so I play it 1+2 or 3, depending how flat I am that day.

The only real problem with using 3 valve only extensively will be if you aren't used to using it that much. How many of us played for many years using 1+2 combinations regardless on intonation, never once considering using a 3rd valve instead? The muscles in your hand won't be used to it and it'll be a little awkward, specially in faster passages. Practice will take care of that though.

Good luck with the horn! Hope I was of some help!

I have a 5v 1291 BBb and the tuning is pretty much the same as the original poster mentioned. I've noticed that the 1-2-3-4 low C is about the same as the one on my Miraphone 186 BBb i.e. 15 cents sharp and would require a big pull. That's one of the reasons I got the 5th valve.

For Bob1062: I find that the upper range - middle (piano) C up to the next C is almost as easy and clear as it was on my old Yamaha Eb 381S (which, by the way, is still for sale on Dillon's site at a real bargain price). This is using a very large custom MP (35.5 MM inner rim diameter with a LM3 style cup.) With the smaller MP's (PT-88, TU-33) that octave is very playable and very in tune.

Matt Walters suggested that I buy the 5th valve because he said that some people felt the 4 valver was too open for them, and the 5th valve choked the horn a little. I have no issues with that - my horn blows very freely.

Thanks guys, I just needed some affirmation. No worries, I love this horn.

BTW the Alan Baer mpc has quite a shorter shank than the standard TU33 (which is good mpc) and doesn't go in as deep as well. Yet it doesn't seem to have a dramatic effect on tuning....