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I've been trying to find the "one-tuba" solution and debating between a large modern EEb, and a "4/4" CC. The EEb won. However, if down the road I want to add a contrabass I would want to find one with a good enough tonal difference between it and the EEb. I hate the x/4 designation, but I would guess it would be around a 4/4+ or 5/4. I actually prefer rotors (gasp), but would not dismiss pistons. CC or BBb, I don't care.

I don't plan on buying another big horn soon, so please don't PM me with a horn you're selling.

Any suggestions welcome, especially someone with similar experience.

Many thanks!

Let's see, what immediately comes to mind is a M-W "Fafner," a Rudy 45 or 50, a Yamayork, a Yorkbrunner, B&S Neptune, and maybe a couple of others. There's a thread out there (sorry, I'd post it if I could find it) of a side-by-side of about a half dozen or so of the BAT's.

When I think 4/4+ rotary CC tuba, I think Miraphone 188.

Greg asks a good question. Our recommendation may depend on the Eb you have purchased. (I am in precisely the same shoes that you are in -- having pondered the "big Eb" as a one-tuba solution. But I haven't gone that way yet. There are times I want something bigger and something smaller. Hard to do that convincingly with only one tuba.)

IF you have a large 3+1 Besson 981, I'm not sure I'd recommend anything other than a beefy, 5/4 CC or BBb.

Probably the same with a Willson Eb, and maybe also with the MW2141.

If you have the Norwegian Star Eb, then different thoughts come to mind.

Also -- do you want your bass tuba and contrabass tuba to have similar character (differing only in "size" of sound output), or different character?

Regardless, if you have a BIG Eb, then I think you want your contrabass to be a 5/4:

Miraphone 1291/2 CC, 1291 BBb; MW Fafner BBb, MW Thor, Willson BBb / CC horns, PT-6 all come to mind as possibilities.

Cheers,

The EEb in question is a MW 2040/5.

As this guy can really put out a lot of sound, what I'm looking for is something that can put out a "rounder" sound, if that makes sense. A little less direct than the rotary EEb.

Thanks for the suggestions so far.

Well I find that my PT20 although a 4/4 designation compliments my 2040/5 well. With a 19 inch bell it produces a good rounded sound contrasting the more direct sound of the Eb.

Or a Conn 56J would have a different sound, with it's 20" bell. But not as weighty as a 5/4. So the difference would be diminished.

Cheers,