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Opinions are like noses.. everyone has one.

The best way to pick a tuba for YOU is to play them all. Custom music is a few hours from WWBW, you can play a PCK and PT6 in the same day. I'm not sure who might have a new Willson in stock..(I can't find any dealers other than Tuba Exchange).

And since I too have a nose, I'll suggest that you play the Thor and Miraphone 5/4's too!

...this is just my VERY biased opinion.
I have played a 3050 since 1995 and I love it. I tried the PT6 at that time and since then more recently. PT6 is great. The 3050 just feels more like home. The few times I tried the PCK I liked everything except the ergonomics. I don't have short arms and felt I had to reach too far.

Try them all (in playing situations, if possible). I just had Al Baer do my valve alignment in March and the 3050 is better than ever.

Remember, opinions are like a**holes, everyone's got one and they usually stink.
TG

Tom Gregory wrote:...this is just my VERY biased opinion.
I have played a 3050 since 1995 and I love it. I tried the PT6 at that time and since then more recently. PT6 is great. The 3050 just feels more like home. The few times I tried the PCK I liked everything except the ergonomics. I don't have short arms and felt I had to reach too far.

Try them all (in playing situations, if possible). I just had Al Baer do my valve alignment in March and the 3050 is better than ever.

Remember, opinions are like a**holes, everyone's got one and they usually stink.
TG

I also have a 3050, and love it. All the horns you listed are very high quality, but each is different. FWIW, the females in the band call it the "godzilla tuba," and I sit next to one of Deck's orginal 2165s!! It's a beast.

I would suggest trying the miraphone 1292. I was in a tuba studio with three other guys who played a willson 3050, a Gronitz Pck(who later got a HB 50), and a Pt6 rotary. I was easily able to hold my own when it came to producing a big tuba sound and holding down the low brass section in a orchestra and in a band. Plus its perfect for brass quintet work and solo work. Best all around tuba out there ( just my 2 cents). Also consider looking at the hirsbrunner HB 21. Best of luck with buying a tuba, always remember to be paitent and only pick the tuba that fits you.

Go with the tuba that you sound the best on...AND get some outside opinions on the sound as well from your teacher or some other trained professional. The tuba I have (a lacquer PT-6P) was chosen by Professor Andrew Miller only after he tested a total of 12 PT-6P's with (I'm not sure if he has a doctorate, so correct me if I'm wrong) Gary Offenlach listening. Even then I play tested out a Gronitz PCK, Kalison Pro 2000, a Wilson 3050, Miraphone 1292 "New Yorker," and the near Tuba Exchange exclusive St. Petersburg CC-tuba before I bought the PT-6P from him.

Yes, the PT-6P has proven to be an incredible horn for me, but I made sure it was the RIGHT horn for me before I took the plunge. Play test anything and everything you can before you make a decision...it could save you a few thousand dollars.