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Dear TubeNet Community:

I recently attended the Texas Music Educators Association in San Antonio in February. I spent a great deal of time at both the Miraphone & Meinl-Weston booths. I came away from it more convinced that using both the BB-Flat & CC would/could satisfy my love for both keys. With that said, for my needs, I found the above mentioned horns to do what I have set out to do. Is there any one out there who plays both of these horns as their primaries, the BB-Flat for band work, and the CC for orchestral, quintet, etc. ? I realize that orchestral players play bigger horns generally and that the 186 is on the small side compared to many others. These horns seem to be something that can/could work well for me. I play a BB-Flat 186 five days a week. Does anyone out there have the same thought(s)? Finally, I would like to thank Martin at the Meinl-Weston booth, Markus Theinert, President of Miraphone, along with Richard Murrow, and the other Miraphone staff for their time, attention, and kindness.

Sincerely & Respectfully,

Bavarian Fanfare

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BBb is very, very common in orchestra's in Germany.
So why would you buy 2 horns, if one can do both orchestra and band music ?

That's just my idea, it's your money.

Wim

You can play CC in band and BBb in orchestra.

I played CC in band settings for years. The last time I played in an orchestra, it was on a BBb. No one cares if you play well and the sound is right.

The 186 really isn't that small. If you dig the 188, the 187 is the BBb version. If you are just looking for an "orchestra == big" horn, lay out the dough and find a Fafner.

20 years ago the right choice was the CC all the way. now there are many models to choose from both in CC and BBflat.

i think that you should play the horn that matches your concept and meet the criteria of your perfect tuba.

i regret switching to CC because i took me a while to adjust to the way the CC Plays at least my horn anyways. i used to play with more confidence with the BBb tuba.

if i had to do it all over again, i will look into the diferent models of BBb tubas available. and maybe later on later the F or Eb Tuba.

james jenkins is a great example that you do not need to play only CC tubas to make it.

Mostly cosmetics. The "standard" versions now are sans bell wreath, engraving on the valve caps, and some other niceties that have for decades been standard fare for Miraphone. The more direct way to say it is "cost cutting." I can't comment on qc, playability or such as I have not personally played one.

It does seem strange to me to have two SO similar horns. Since you have decided on the 186, you know the size and sound, so I won't suggest a larger horn. But, both are contrabass, so there is no real advantage to either one for the ensemble work. As others have mentioned, as long as you are proficient in all keys, there isn't a need for the CC in orchestra or the BBb for band. I play a CC in a band, without any trouble.

If anything, I'd get the CC 5 valve for orchestra and band, and think about an F as a second horn, at least that is what the majority of players do.