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I have just done a great deal with Mark Carter at Mr.Tuba to get a new gold brass handmade PT-15.

I had previously tried this tuba and really fell in love with it - "it picked me" you might say! It has a lovely tone and is everything I want from an F tuba.

I have only done a little F tuba playing previously, but am quickly getting the feel for the PT-15. Its high register is really a dream (I had no trouble with Bydlo on first attempt!), while I am already getting the notorious low C without too much difficulty - it just needs coaxing a bit.

I plan on using the PT-15 in my next orchestral concert for Wagner Prelude Act 3 Lohengrin and Beethoven 9 (the conductor following Mahler's lead has arranged a tuba part which nicely lays on F tuba).

Although an F, it is a pretty big tuba - standing only 2cm short of the Neptune. It also has a big bell throat for an F tuba - bigger than my Melton Eb (or a Besson 981). Running a tape measure around the circumference is 14 inches compared to 12 inches on the Eb. This seems to give the PT-15 plenty of power while still retaining that classic German F tone.

I am also interested at how similar the tube set-up is to the Neptune. All the slides are in the same positions including the 5th extending above the top bow which I like and they definitely look like they come from the same family.

Enjoy the pictures!

Some comparisons!

Like a proud papa... congrats!

Bob1062 wrote:How does it compare to your 182 (or, more accurately, the possibilities offered by having both a 182 and 2040)?

This is a much more useful F tuba (for me) than the 182 I used to own. That was small and lightweight - more like a euphonium in F with resulting very limited applications as a basstuba in symphony orchestra. I was only ever going to use that for a few high register solos, so did not play frequently enough to get familiar. While the PT-15 matches the sound in my head for an orchestral F tuba, so will be of much wider use. Playing for Lohengrin is a perfect example.

I think the PT-15 well compliments my wonderful 2040/5 and I will be in the very lucky situation of being able to pull out whichever I prefer for a gig. Yes, having both is a luxury, rather than necessity - but I'm out playing with enough different ensembles to regularly use both

IMHO an F can never compete with an Eb in the low register, so for brass quintet, or solo playing the 2040/5 will undoubtedly still rule, but as a basstuba to 'compliment' the Neptune in the orchestra, the PT-15 with its easier high register will (I suspect) often be preferred.

Dang, just drooled all over the keyboard! Thanks for the hornporn!