TubeNet

Some of you may remember my post in which I agonized over whether I should replace my CC tuba or buy an F tuba. Well I have decided to replace my CC tuba, and I was looking at the Miraphone 1291 an 1292. The only difference (other than the "wreth" on the bell of the 92) that I could find was the sizing of the leadpipe. On Miraphone's website it labels the 1292's leadpipe as "medium large." I assume this means that it is larger than the 1291's? Also, what effect will this have on how the tuba plays/the tubas sound?

Note: I did see this mentioned in another topic when I searched, but it was mentioned in passing and I did not find the post to answer my specific questions.

Thanks,
Andrew

My understanding is that the 1292 has a smaller leadpipe and some slide differences (I seem to remember reading somewhere a longer 4th and a higher 3rd but I don't know for sure).

The biggest difference is the leadpipe and the 1292 has a slightly smaller lead pipe and plays much tighter. I've had the opportunity to play both back to back and I hands down preferred the 1292 for it's tighter sound. Have you looked at any other horns? PT6 would also be a solid choice and you may be able to pick one up a little cheeper used. They're a little bigger than the 1291/2 but they're still a good all-around horn.

thanks for the explanations guys, If I haven't made a purchase by then, I'll check out the PT6 at the Army Conference in Jan.

Funny you mention it -- I have a 1291 that I retrofit with a 1292 leadpipe. I'd heard of it before, that a few pros had done this (I *think* Morris Kainuma and Roger Lewis). I chatted briefly with Alan Baer about it too, and he recommended switching the 'pipe. And I'm glad I did!

The tuba played very well beforehand, don't get me wrong. But after making the switch, things slotted easier, the response was better, and it just felt a little *tighter.* I'm not sure the *sound* out the bell really changed in quality, but it made it easier to play and make the music come out of the bell.

Apart from the bell kranz and the wrap of the 3rd/4th valve slides (minor adjustments), they're the same tuba.

yeah bort, yours was the post I mentioned in my note.