TubeNet

For the Most part, Marching Baritones have a Small Shank Receiver. I haven't played on too many, But I have played a Dynasty, and a little bit on the new Jupiter baritone.The Dynasty was OK, and I don't know enough about the Jupiter, but I do remember it seemed like the valves were set pretty far out from where they should have been. the sound was decent, though.

just my bit of expirience

All the manufacturers of Marching Baritones, except Dynasty, have large shanks. As far as brands go, here's my $.02 worth...
Don't deal with Jupiter. They're a POS.
King is good, along with Yamaha.
Dynasties...there's a reason they have the word 'nasty' in their name. As far as others...I haven't been able to find them...

The Kings are also easier to hold than many others because the valve set is closer to your face, so your arms are not stretched out so far.

More compact than some others also which makes their tone a bit mroe focused..
k

yeah I think the Bbs are better than the old G bugles. I remember using a 2 valved Deg back in the late 70's and thinking my arms would fall off. (the piston-rotor horns were actually much easier to hold) I was much happer when I switched to contra.

I also like the sound of the Bb Baritones better than the G baritones. The tone is more focused and cleaner. I still would love even more clarity to the Baritone voice in drum corps, perhaps a trombone like tenor voice horn. Not the old flugabone things though; they were crap. I think the King baris are a bit smaller bored, or is it the Yamahas? Not sure I have been out of the DC loop a few years.

ken k

My large Kanstul G baritone is a nice player with good tuning despite the only 3 valves as the 2nd main tuning slide allows for compensating sharp pitches. Large bell, but tenor trombone receiver like many American real Bb baritones. The heavy weight comes from a thorough quality, but it is a bit much for my arms to hold for a longer period. The Denis Wick 4AY works well over a wide range, but the instrument easily could have taken the input from a bassbone mouthpiece, if the receiver had allowed such.

Klaus

I have an old King - the lacquer is pretty much gone but it plays great. Tubatinker took a 50H rotor and installed it for me early this year. Makes it heavier and just a bit awkward but having a 4th valve is a huge advantage for intonation and extending the low range. I use it for cramped pit and quick doubling situations.

I last marched in a band in 1976, and there wasn't any Drum Corps around where I grew up. It wasn't until I started going to U of O women's basketball games in 1998 that I even saw these marching baritones. I was delighted that after a half of staring down the length of the court that I had pegged that some were baritones and some were mellophones; of course, I had to go over at halftime and look at them.

If I wasn't sousaphoning in my marching band, I'd be getting me one of those!!

It's always interesting to see what crazy variations that have come up over the years. I personally like the trombonium that is for sale on Dillon's website. I am also
intriged by the Fluga-bone thing on there. I think that I am aquiring a Conn 16E Mellophonium tomorrow.

P.s. If you guys have any fun facts about the Mellophonium can you PM me?, thanks!

I have had a couple of different marching horns. And I seem to think that the King 1130 Flugabone is one of the better ones. I know that some people swear by the old ones, but I don't seem to care.