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talk me into it...

If you have experience on CC tuba's then go try them out one after the other....WITH a trusted friend to help with the sound.

I personally am not a huge fan of either of these horns. The PT-20 is just too small for me but the 1291...I dunno...it's just not my cup of tea. I really like a wide sound and the 1291 still doesn't do it for me...maybe I'm just too used to my horn...then again, my horn is a very open wrap with a big bell, etc....so it has a fatness I'm used to.

If I HAD to pick between the two, I'd get the 1291.

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You are not really comparing like with like. The PT-20 is 4/4 size, while the 1291 is 5/4. The PT-6 would be more the B&S equivalent of the latter.

I have never tried a 1291, so can't comment, but the PT-20 is a good all purpose CC with full round tone top to bottom, excellent intonation and response. I let mine go last year for personal reasons and occasionally slightly regret as it was a good tuba.

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I own the PT-20 piston model and have played the rotary version AND the 1291. people can call the 1291 a 5/4 but to me they've never played or sounded (TO ME; IMO) like a 5/4; more like a 4/4 on 'roids. The rotary 20 wasn't "my cup of tea" but then again i'm not a huge fan of rotary valves. the 20 rotary and the 20 piston produce a very large full sound. they have a killer low range and can hold their own most large pieces in a large ensemble. i had to choose between the 1291 and the PT-20 when i was looking for a CC. I would still take the PT-20. good luck!

-CT