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I'm interested on how do these things sound and respond.

I have a BBb 701 in my lap right now. I love this tuba. Plus the string players look scared.
Ok, just played some loud bits. For the first time in this group, i can hear myself. Its a good thing

I tried one once at Dillon's a few years ago. It was one of the most open tubas I'd ever played. A little too open, actually...no resistance at all. Could have just been a bad mouthpiece match though. Had that good Cerveny sound to it though.

I had one for a year. It had a dark, enormous sound, but it was like sticking a vacuum cleaner to your lips. I was never able to play it softly with any control. The pedal register was horribly out of tune.

The guy I sold the horn to was able to play it beautifully, though.

GC wrote:I was never able to play it softly with any control.

Never had that trouble with the BBb Cerveny I had, so maybe mouthpiece choice???

However, no doubt these are very open blowing and require a lot of control, but then so have other German Kaiser I have tried, such as Fafner and Rudy 5/4. I put that down to large leadpipe bore, as my Neptune displays more 'Kaiser' like characteristics with it larger leadpipe.

I have an older 4-valve one of those CCs with plans to replace the lead pipe with one with a more gradual taper throughout. I think the original pipes on these horns taper too fast and only within the first 8-10 inches. I'll also use a real receiver on the new pipe as well. We'll keep you posted as to the results of my efforts. To my eyes this horn has the potential of playing as well as a big Rudy or Alex. It's just a woofy beast to play now. We'll see if my ideas pan out.