B&S-heavier?

[BriceT]

Hello Everyone,

I am going to purchase a tuba soon, and B&S is near the top of the stack.

However, I was told recently that I should steer away from them for various reasons, and one being that they are built much heavier than most other brands. This info really confused me, and I am wondering if this true. And if it is; does it really matter? Also just any info on B&S tubas.

Thanks!

[Wyvern]

All tubas are heavy!

I would not say B&S are particularly heavy. As close as I can weigh on my bathroom scales my 4/4 PT-20 weighs about 11kg and the 6/4 Neptune, 13kg. That compares to about 9kg for my smaller Melton/MW Eb.

So in proportion to their size - not exceptionally heavy.

[Alex C]

(NOTE: Personal opinion follows! ... yada yada yada...

Eloquent comments about the Alexander tubas. I loved mine but could not love rotary valves after decades of pistons.

I was amused in talking to one of the major symphony tubists who said that he would never bring his old Alexander to a rehearsal, he was afraid the conductor might like the sound and make him play it all the time.

[Matthew Gaunt]

[quote="the elephant". A non-tubist is sometimes more useful that another tubist. Trust that opinion.
[/quote]

... I cannot count the times that I have recieved very different (i.e. opposite) feedback from tubists vs. non-tubists - both in regards to horns and mouthpieces...

[Getzeng50s]

my PT-6 is heaver than any nirschl 6/4 ive picked up. Its heaver then any meinl weston ive held. the gronitz is quite light and so is the MW baer model. strangly enough my pt-6 is 1-3 pounds heavier than many other pt-6's ive held.

go figure