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I know 5th valves help tons in tuning on a contrabass, but are they a necessity? I bear this question with CCs in mind, since I'm not too experienced in playing them. I seem to attain bearable tuning on a 4 valve BBb... I don't see how it'd be different on a CC. I'm probably wrong though -- which is why I'm asking this question!

The #1 practical use for a 5th on a CC is low f.It's kinda in that no man's land of fingerings without.1+4 is sharp 1+2+4 is flat.1+5 can be set just right for low f to eliminate slide pulling.This problem also exists on BBb tubas on low Eb,but you don't encounter them quite as often as low f.

As I've posted here, I eliminated the 5th on my 52J to make the horn more free blowing. It worked!! I also play a 621CC for lighter playing and jazz, which is a 4 valve CC and I figured I could make a 4 valve horn work on my main horn. It worked fine for 90% of my playing, but there were a few times where it was difficult and pulling slides was a pain. I reinstalled the 5th valve on the 52J, and now I know that I wouldn't want my main CC to be a 4 valve instrument. I also found that I didn't like the feel of the 52J with 5 valves. Gone is the 52J. Sam Gnagey to the rescue!!