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Just wondering what the Bulk of people prefer. Is it the sound of a 5/4 or 6/4 CC? Are more orchstras favouring one or the other these days do you think?

Isn't it whatever you enjoy playing the most?

Hirsbrunner6/4 wrote: Just wondering what the Bulk of people prefer. Is it the sound of a 5/4 or 6/4 CC? Are more orchstras favouring one or the other these days do you think?

Well, in a thread started by somebody who uses the tubenet name Hirsbrunner6/4, I'd have to say 5/4.

Hirsbrunner6/4 wrote:Just wondering what the Bulk of people prefer. Is it the sound of a 5/4 or 6/4 CC? Are more orchstras favouring one or the other these days do you think?

Seems over here in the states most tuba players favor 6/4 CC's in most orchestras. There are a few holdouts, though, that use smaller horns. It really comes down to personal preference and what size/sound the group has. Sometimes I really dig hearing the 6/4 York contrabass for it's transparency, color and breadth of sound. And sometimes I like the more dense, dark and focused Alex type sound. Other times, I like a completely diff. sound. Depends on my mood and who I am listening to.

bloke wrote:4/6, as it could be converted to a .666 tuba, which would be a beast of a tuba.

Those would be interesting at chuch gigs.

Yes.

As a wise person once told me, "Get the instrument that plays the best for you, now would you like fries with that?"

EuphtoTuba wrote:As a wise person once told me, "Get the instrument that plays the best for you, now would you like fries with that?"

ha

4/4 Eb

17/13

Attempt at a serious answer.. I hope I don't regret this:

Anything larger than a 5/4 invariably has fundamental intonation problems in the open bugle that I feel require WAY too much brain power to consciously manage while trying to mash valves and play in time. The largest horn with acceptable intonation is the PT6. In the right hands they are easily confused with a 6/4 anyhow. The MW Thor has similarly good intonation and can sound plenty huge albeit in most people's hands a bit too 'thwacky'. The Willson 3050 is also much more in tune than any 6/4 horn(save for a too long third valve slide) and can easily sound quite large. While a bit smaller I think the Miraphone 188 is still an excellent gold standard for holding down all but the largest orchestras.

Any one of those horns is going to offer a great deal more versatility and playability than ANY 6/4 horn. It is the rare individual that will ever be able to put a 6/4 horn to proper use on a regular basis. At the end of the day the orchestra just wants to sound GOOD. Pick a horn that allows you to do that consistently and you might have a chance of success.

22/7

bloke wrote:

J.c. Sherman wrote:22/7

hat size ?

It's for all our tubas

KiltieTuba wrote:

joh_tuba wrote:Attempt at a serious answer.. I hope I don't regret this:

Anything larger than a 5/4 invariably has fundamental intonation problems in the open bugle that I feel require WAY too much brain power to consciously manage while trying to mash valves and play in time. The largest horn with acceptable intonation is the PT6....

I would disagree, there are many 6/4 tubas that have wonderful intonation - it is often the player that has the problems...

6/4 sized tubas have more intonation problems than 5/4 instruments by far. This isn't a "player" thing.

KiltieTuba wrote:

joh_tuba wrote:Attempt at a serious answer.. I hope I don't regret this:

Anything larger than a 5/4 invariably has fundamental intonation problems in the open bugle that I feel require WAY too much brain power to consciously manage while trying to mash valves and play in time. The largest horn with acceptable intonation is the PT6....

I would disagree, there are many 6/4 tubas that have wonderful intonation - it is often the player that has the problems...

+1 If anything the intonation on the Neptune is better than PT-6

What size tuba is best depends on a lot of factors including ensemble, hall/venue, pieces being played, sound concept and most of all the player.

Neptune wrote:

KiltieTuba wrote:

joh_tuba wrote:Attempt at a serious answer.. I hope I don't regret this:

Anything larger than a 5/4 invariably has fundamental intonation problems in the open bugle that I feel require WAY too much brain power to consciously manage while trying to mash valves and play in time. The largest horn with acceptable intonation is the PT6....

I would disagree, there are many 6/4 tubas that have wonderful intonation - it is often the player that has the problems...

+1 If anything the intonation on the Neptune is better than PT-6
...

I actually really like the rotor Neptunes. But honestly, the Neptunes I have played have been different than the PT-6 intonation wise, but I wouldn't call them better. Every Neptune I've played had pretty sharp 3rd and 6th partial Gs, F#s, and Fs. PT-6 tubas have what, maybe a slightly flat 5th partial and a slightly sharp 6th? Pretty normal "186-like" intonation on the PT-6.

As far a 6/4 tuba intonation goes, Neptunes are pretty well in tune. As far as 5/4 intonation goes, IMHO, they are not.

I think it may be a bit too broad a brush to paint with, implying that all 6/4 horns have serious intonation problems.

Granted, certain types do seem to have problems (Conn 2XJ series & 6/4 Holton come to mind), but I think that there are some modern examples, which play well in tune.

J.c. Sherman wrote:

bloke wrote:

J.c. Sherman wrote:22/7

hat size ?

It's for all our tubas

Tubas go well with pi(e) (as long as it's not in the valves )

Regarding PT-6 versus Neptune, two thoughts:

First, I wasn't aware that tubas had "intonation." I just thought that different tubas required different amounts of adjustment (and in different places) and effort to play in tune. And, some tubas are easier than others.

Second, I'm quite happy with the ease I feel playing my rotary Neptune in tune. Of course, the real reason I have that instrument is THE SOUND!

Allen

I think a 5/4 is a good compromise between breadth of tone and focus/edge. Perfectly capable in a large ensemble and can cover a wide variety of musical settings.