TubeNet

Daring to be dull: what would be the closeset PT equivalent of a Bach 18 in the German cup line? How about a Bach 12? These two pieces have done the best for me so far in my old B&S "Sonora" tuba, but I'm looking for a little shallower/rounder German bowl instead of the Bach cup, which is a little deeper as far as I can tell.

Eric "why practice when you can just keep switching mouthpieces?" L.

Anyone?

I was curious about this one as well. Lacking any response, I went to find an answer for myself. I found a comparison chart that should help narrow down some "family" comparisons at http://www.allbrassradio.com/tubampccharts.htm.

For the record it lists:

Bach 12 (32.75mm/1.289in) as a smidge larger than a PT32 and PT34 (32.50mm/1.280in)

Bach 18 (32mm/1.260in) as equivalent to a PT20F and PT30

Mind you there is a wise disclaimer up at the top of the page. These are size comparisons only so response and characteristic comparisons are out the window.

I have a PT34 and it is similar, although the PT34 has a 1.28 diameter bowl and a Bach 18 has a "spec" 1.26 cup, although we all know they can be larger in the rim, up to @ 1.28, depending on when the cutter was sharpened. I'm not using it much. PM me if you'd like me to mail it out for a try.

This is what Perantucci says about the PT34:
Model PT-34 balances very quick response in the low range with clear sound and strong projection. Even the moderately developed player will find it easy to handle.
CUP 32.5mm diam. Medium depth. Well rounded bottom.
RIM Width 7.5mm. Moderately wide rim with rounded inner edge
THROAT BORE 8.4mm

Also, I have a PT82 which is a round cup of the same diameter, and a little deeper, but it is on hold pending sale right now. It's really made for horns with a larger bell throat than the B&S, so might be stuffy on your horn. Also, the PT89 is a deep round cup, in 32 mm.

Doug Elliot has a chart that compares cup depth as well as rim diameter. That might help:

http://www.dougelliottmouthpieces.com/s ... chart.html" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

The thing about the PT line is that you really need to read some of the descriptions, which aren't too far off what the mouthpieces actually do. Also, for your Sonora, a lot of the PT mouthpieces are F/Eb mouthpieces with small throats which don't help much. The Bach 18 actually has a rather large throat, so make sure you get something in the 8.2-8.4 mm range so that you can actually get the right amount of air through the horn.

Just let me know about the PT34.

Thanks for the responses, guys. I need it in an "S" shank, so pass on yours iiipoops, unless it's an "S". Yes, I have read over the descriptions, fwiw - good to know you think they are accurate.

Thanks also for resurrecting that chart. BTW whatever became of Andy Cattanach's awesome Excel mp chart? I loved that thing.

Eric "middle of the road" L.

Mine is the regular shank. How did your tuba come to have the slightly smaller receiver? I thought only old Bessons and really old USA eefers had the smaller receivers?!

Yes, you can order a PT34 in the "S" shank, but since there are also two other shank sizes, I would have your tech remeasure your receiver before ordering, since it is a custom order.

iiipopes wrote:Mine is the regular shank. How did your tuba come to have the slightly smaller receiver? I thought only old Bessons and really old USA eefers had the smaller receivers?!

Yes, you can order a PT34 in the "S" shank, but since there are also two other shank sizes, I would have your tech remeasure your receiver before ordering, since it is a custom order.

The receiver is indeed smaller than usual, see this thread: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=36583 (I know for a fact the "s" shank is the best fit, because I already have a PT-88 "s".)