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For those Brits out there who play on a 981 or 982 EEb in an orchestra, and make a "big enough " sound on that, what are your thoughts on the B&S Perantucci PT6P CC in terms of the sound it makes in comparison to the EEb and on how easy it is to play in terms of tuning. Does it have the weight of a 6/4 in the lower register for Prokofiev etc. ? Would appreciate your thoughts.
Thanks.

As a British person who's messed about with a whole bunch of tubas I feel able to say with confidence that the PT6 is plenty enough tuba for almost anyone. If you get on with the instrument you won't ever need to go bigger. The PT6 may not quite have the 'blossom' of the biggest American style BATs but that's a specific sound. Seems to me like you need to try a few contrabasses out with the section to see how you get on - then make the choice of weapon. I've made the mistake (more than once) of buying a tuba without really knowing what I was getting.
Try before you buy.

B&H Eb's can have a massive sound in the staff but you'll notice a big difference below when you get out the contrabass. A lot of guys generate unbelievably huge sounds down low on the B&H Eb's but it's a lot easier with a more specialised tool. Once you've used one in anger you wont want to go back...

I went from a 981 to playing a PT-6 (rotary) prior to purchasing my current Neptune.

It was three years ago, but my recollection was that the PT-6 had a good solid low register and would certainly be ideal for Prokofiev. For its sound, I would say it does have almost the "weight of a 6/4", but maybe not quite the breath of sound (which you may, or may not prefer).

You would find it provides a considerably better low register than the 981, while my own experience was in the middle and upper register the power/volume of the PT-6 is very similar to the 981 - them both having a 19" bell.

I found the PT-6 was a good orchestral tuba, and I understand the PT-6P is even better, but you may wish to also try the more recent Thor before deciding.

Rubberlips wrote:What's this about Brits? Do Brits have special lips that are suitable or unsuitable for PT6P:s?

I think the point was that it is mainly us Brits which have played Besson 981 and 982 in orchestras, so would be in a position to give a comparison.

Thanks for the input guys.
I am more than happy to have feedback from any of you out there but in this post was specifically interested in the views of players who have played EEb as their main/default instrument in a British orchestra and their subsequent choice of CC .
Because the EEb is our standard sound generally, we are usually looking for a CC for a certain repertoire and sound.
I was just wondering whether the PT6P had enough weight & breadth for that or whether to look at a 6/4 BAT ?
Hope this makes some kind of sense !!

You may be best to contact Mark Carter at Mr.Tuba ( www.mrtuba.com ) who I am sure will be able to refer you to British orchestral players which have got a PT-6P as you are considering, so you can get feedback from them direct.

I am sure you would find a PT-6P, although classified 5/4, will provide all you require - but if you would prefer that, or a 6/4 really depends on your sound concept

To the original question, I find the PT6 a lot easier to tune than th estandard 981 Eb, and I have had that backed up by a few pros that I know. As far as I am aware quite a few british orchestral players tend to go for the combination of a Besson Eb and a PT6 as their two main tubas, but rarely have I seen a PT6P.

I have used both PT6 and PT6P and I find that the sound difference is negligable in the practise room, but a noticeable one in the orchestra. The rotary one lends itself a little better to blending with the strings and woodwind whilst the piston one blends slightly better with the brass. The thing that sways my opinion on the two though is quite different: you need to be rather large (or have very long arms) to play the PT6P for extended periods comfortably. I'm 6 feet tall and found myself overstretching to reach the valves properly and hence was slightly strained on breathing and also suffered backaches after long sessions playing.

In my personal opinion there is very little need for a BAT; the american orchestral sound lends itself very nicely to them, but again you would need a good full-size professional orchestra for one to make sense even there. In even the top british orchestras the repertoire where one would be appropriate is rather limited, as the british sound is quite different to the american one.

Just my opinion...

Ola