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What's the difference out front that a listener might notice if these two horns were played back to back, by the same player with the same mouthpiece?

What's the difference to the player?

jon112780 wrote:What's the difference out front that a listener might notice if these two horns were played back to back, by the same player with the same mouthpiece?

Nothing really. The 188 might sound a teeny tiny bit bigger. This might depend on the vintage of the 186 since they've been around forever. I'd bet that very few listeners could tell the difference between a 186 and 188 of the same vintage and same brass type (ie, both yellow brass or both gold brass).

If somebody could identify the years that Roger Bobo played a 186 with the LA Philharmonic and compare recordings with the years he played a 188, that could actually give you something real to compare... same player, different equipment. Of course it might ignore other variables along the way too.

jon112780 wrote:What's the difference to the player?

The 188 typically has a better intonation and is a bit larger tuba.
The 186 typically has the better responding low register.

If I were choosing, I'd get a 188.

cjk wrote:If I were choosing, I'd get a 188.

I'd have to agree with this statement. I really doubt a typical audience member can really hear much of a difference, except that a really critical listener might hear it as a little more broad sounding. Try them both - you should be able to find a 186 and a 188 to a/b . . . they're pretty easy to find, as far as CC tubas go. Both very nice horns, IMHO. as close to a "do it all" horn as one will find.

jon112780 wrote:What's the difference out front that a listener might notice if these two horns were played back to back, by the same player with the same mouthpiece?

What's the difference to the player?

Why?? You thinking about CC-ing it??