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Does anyone have experience with the VMI 3302? I have not played or seen one and am considering buying one.
Thanks for your comments!

Check the ebay forum. There is one for sale on ebay and there are some comments on how it plays as compared to the 3301.

zangerzzz wrote:Does anyone have experience with the VMI 3302? I have not played or seen one and am considering buying one.
Thanks for your comments!

I've played a 3301, which is the same but for the fifth valve. Excellent instrument. I would probably prefer a new-style King for playing, but the VMI is certainly better made. I would also prefer a B&M Symphonic 5500 (if you can find one), which is larger than either and one of the great Bb tubas. If you want a front-action piston Bb tuba, and the King is not your taste, then this is one of the few remaining quality options.

Rick "always impressed by these instruments" Denney

VMI 3302 is my main tuba. It is absolutely great. The intonation is very great. The only major tuning problem for me is the Bb above the staff; it is very flat when I play it open, but with 5th valve, is in tune. Others have played my horn and didn't have a problem with open Bb, so it could just be me.

It is quite an all around great BBb.

Are there any specific questions?

Rick Denney wrote: I've played a 3301, which is the same but for the fifth valve. Excellent instrument. I would probably prefer a new-style King for playing, but the VMI is certainly better made.

...

Rick "always impressed by these instruments" Denney

I own both a VMI 3301 and a new style King 2341, and I've found very few times when I play the King anymore. The VMI has a much fuller, warmer sound, is capable of much greater volume without harshness, and is built like a tank. And it's much easier to play, especially in the high range, where the notes slot much better. I loved the King before getting the VMI, but now I seldom play the King. One advantage the King does have is that the light construction makes it easier to carry.

If you search the old posts, you'll see a comparison of the VMI 3301 and B&S PT20P. I believe that the 3301 is based closely on the PT20P with an identical bell and top/bottom bows. Other than a fifth valve, a lengthened lead pipe and longer valve slides, they are virtually the same. The 3302 has that fifth valve, so the differences are even fewer.

I love the 3301. If the 3302 plays as well, then go for it.

Bill Anderson

billeuph wrote:If you search the old posts, you'll see a comparison of the VMI 3301 and B&S PT20P. I believe that the 3301 is based closely on the PT20P with an identical bell and top/bottom bows.

I have seen and played a tuba labeled "B&S PT-2P" that was the same instrument as a 3301.

If your VMI is warmer than your King, I wonder if your King is one of the good ones. I've played bad ones, to be sure. But my impression is just the opposite of what you report: For me, the King was rounder and more open and resonant than the VMI, just as one would expect from the more traditional American design. But both are excellent instruments, and I'd be happy to own good examples of either of them.

Rick "wishing VMI would simplify their branding" Denney

Rick Denney wrote:For me, the King was rounder and more open and resonant than the VMI, just as one would expect from the more traditional American design. But both are excellent instruments, and I'd be happy to own good examples of either of them.

Rick "wishing VMI would simplify their branding" Denney

Same here. I also hear the VMI as more direct, more Germanic, less American. But it is one heavy beastie.

I've had my 3302 for 7 years and really enjoy it. The pitch is dead on and with all slides accessible, fine tuning is a snap. When visiting Brasswind on a tuba buying pilgrimage, I saw one on the top shelf and decided to take a peak at it. This after tooting on some some tubas that came highly recommended. I took it down from the shelf and found that the brace between the throat and back bow was crunched. That didn't deter me from playing it. It was so markably better than any of the others I'd tried, I asked for a new one to play. After playing it for an hour or so, I made my mind up and the rest is history. The only problem I have with it is transporting it. I have a gig bag designed for another tuba and the 3302 fits in so the valves are facing my back (back-pak style case). I've not had any difficulties with this aspect, but have had to remove the adjustable thumb ring for the 5th valve with an allen wrench and put it back on when I am ready to play the horn. It was bent a few times before I started using the wrench. A small price to pay for such a great horn. My advice..a lot of bang for the buck.

Rick Denney wrote:

billeuph wrote:If you search the old posts, you'll see a comparison of the VMI 3301 and B&S PT20P. I believe that the 3301 is based closely on the PT20P with an identical bell and top/bottom bows.

I have seen and played a tuba labeled "B&S PT-2P" that was the same instrument as a 3301.

If your VMI is warmer than your King, I wonder if your King is one of the good ones. I've played bad ones, to be sure. But my impression is just the opposite of what you report: For me, the King was rounder and more open and resonant than the VMI, just as one would expect from the more traditional American design. But both are excellent instruments, and I'd be happy to own good examples of either of them.

Rick "wishing VMI would simplify their branding" Denney

I play in 3 different bands with half a dozen other King 2341 new style horns. None of them are warmer, rounder, or more resonant than the VMI, and none are capable of the volume that the VMI can produce without harshness. And that's with a half dozen different players using a half dozen different mouthpieces. Maybe you played a bad VMI? I picked my King out of 3 that Dillon had in stock at the time and it was the pick of the litter. One of the three was really a dog, and the other was nearly as bad. I took whatever VMI Roger Lewis shipped me, with no chance to play-test since they were going fast at the price Roger was asking for them.

The biggest playing problem with the King is the harshness in the low range when you really crank up the volume. It just isn't a pretty sound. I've gone back and forth between these to horns for several months now, and there is just no comparison in the sound quality, at least with me playing (ah, that's the catch, says Rick, thinking that a better player would get better results!).

Bill