TubeNet

criteria:

4/4 - 5/5 CC
5 valves - 4 p, 1 r
small valve cluster
.740 bore, or slightly larger
excellent intonation!

MW 2145?

Didn't think of that one, Ben. Although, the sound never really interested me on those. Then, would the MW2000 also fall into this category (my criteria)?

I looked at the specs for the 2000, and it's bore size is 0.78ish IIRC... on the large size of your specs, but maybe. I hear good things about their intonation.

If you want small valves, you'd have to find an old MW-2145. I tried a used one for sale at BBC a bunch of years ago, and it was a very fine small 4/4 tuba. Easy and fun to play, and sounded great. The new 2145's at BBC have the bigger valves and a bunch of updates that Dave has requested from MW...changed slides, bigger bell, and something else I can't remember. A different tuba in a lot of ways from the early ones, but still a very, very fine horn.

The MW 2000 falls in the category, but those are rare and super expensive. A good 2155 could fit the bill too.

Thanks for the replies, guys! The main issue is with the valve cluster. If you remove my small valve cluster criteria, several horns then fall into the other categories. A large valve cluster may not be a bad thing (for me, as I am not big at 5'9"), but the angle might even be a more important criteria to consider. You just have to play the horns. I did own a HP-1P when they first came out. Although I loved the horn and the sound, it eventually gave me tendonitis or tennis elbow or something like that, so I sold it. I know the 995 valves felt a bit uncomfortable to me. I'll be looking at these criteria, especially the comfort of the valves, at the DC Conference.

I'm also attending TMEA for the first time, as all of our 3 kids are now Texans, meaning my wife and I might become Texans sometime in the near future. There should be some horns at TMEA I would think. Don't tell my wife!

Who makes a .740 valve cluster? None I know. The Nirschl 4/4 CC fits your needs to a tee. Intonation between Nirschl instruments I have played has been amazingly consistent. A bit pricey. The Besson 995 is a possibility, too.

Kanstul

Possibly a CB50/G50?

USStuba04 wrote:Kanstul

If your post means that Kanstul makes a tuba with a .740 bore, they don't... unless their website (usually behind the times) is wrong. They list the new C tuba with .689(1-3)/.710(4th)/.734(5th) bore sizes.

I think some of the old Conn's were .738 but I don't think there's anything in the OP's parameters with a .740 bore. However, I don't know everything, just Western Hemisphere stuff.

Bill Troiano wrote:criteria:
. . .
small valve cluster
.740 bore, or slightly larger
. . . .

Where did the bore requirement come from? I'm genuinely curious. That particular number is pretty odd. The only instrument I've ever seen that had that number as the published bore size was the Mirafone 185.

I can understand the Meinl-Weston "big valves" being uncomfortable for somebody with small hands. I understand better that different valve angles can cause pain as I've sold an instrument for just that reason. In my case, this was a Conn 2j. It was a nice little tuba, it just made my wrists hurt.

B&S / Meinl-Weston / Besson 995 (and probably others) all have these "big valve" sets on on them. I'm 5'8" and am not bothered by the "big valve" sets. You don't seem to be bothered by people recommending them.

I like the MW Thor. It happens to fit your requirements except for the requirement about small valves. I think there are a lot of tubas that do.

bort wrote:If you want small valves, you'd have to find an old MW-2145. I tried a used one for sale at BBC a bunch of years ago, and it was a very fine small 4/4 tuba. Easy and fun to play, and sounded great.

+1

As far as the bore requirement, I just picked a number that was around the bore size of several instruments on the market. Maybe, I should have said larger than .689.

Bill Troiano wrote:...meaning my wife and I might become Texans sometime in the near future...

You're gonna have to work on that accent, Bill.

Rick "you ain't from around these parts, are ye?" Denney

The PT205p has the criteria. Bore is .750 and I have had good success with the intonation. It is 4 p and 1 r as requested.
ScottM

The new 5/4 Kanstul will sport a .750 bore.

Also, if youre going with >.689 then the Getzen would fit the bill. Maybe even a Conn 3j.