TubeNet

It does seem sometimes like not searching tubenet is a crime, doesn't it?

I've only played one older Rudy F like you describe. Absolutely hated it. But that's one opinion, and there are a great many of them in use...

J.c.S.

I went to school with a guy who played a late-model, BIG Rudy F tuba, tweaked by Lee Stofer. Very nice horn, but at times it did sound like a small CC (not always a bad thing, depending on what you want.)

I switched from a Yamaha 621F to a Rudi six-valve 5/4 F about eight years ago. It was a unit-owned horn purchased in 1989. After spending a year or so with it I was convinced to purchase my own five-valve version, not because the sixth was a problem but rather I felt the horn played well enough without it and I still feel that way. As another poster stated, it does not sound like a small C or giant euph. I used mine on our band's recent tour and got lots of compliments on my sound. Give it a try.

I would check on that "seven valve setup." I believe, without seeing it, and knowing Rudi's offerings, that two of the three paddles on the left are valves and the third is a slide kicker for either the second valve or the fifth(whole tone).