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I've always appreciated the discussions about which tuba was the right tool for a specific situation, whether a particular piece, or ensemble. I've also seen some good discussion about what is the best "do it all" tuba out there.

I have a bit of a different take on that theme - what if you could only play one tuba. Period.

I recognize that the choice would be influenced by what type of ensemble or music you prefer to play. Some may go for a compromise for versatility's sake; others may want to get the best tool for their preferred situation and possibly forego some musical opportunities. I've also heard that some horns become a more viable option when you dedicate yourself to playing it exclusively.

For myself, I would be tempted to say the Neptune because it does so many things well for a 6/4 horn - great sound, good intonation. But it's big and hardly convenient to lug around and manuever in tight spaces. If I could play only one horn I think I would choose the Alexander 163. No point-and-shoot here. I still have a long way to go to catch up to the potential of the instrument - I've not developed the right type of air to get the big sound the horn is capable of. But it sounds beautiful played softly (which enables a good fit in small ensembles), and it will definitely reward you for the effort you put into it.

What would you choose?

Yes, just using "horn" in the generic sense. As a (french) horn player, I've run into plenty of snobs that will tell you that "horn" really only applies to one instrument.

Plus I wouldn't restrict the choices to an instrument you already own. Cost and availablility prevent a lot of players from choosing an instrument that they would really prefer.

Hirsbrunner HB-2. Best do all horn every built.

My Mirafone 186 4U BBb. It fits me. Not too big - just right.

ditto, but mine is in C.

Willson 3200 F.

I haven't found an ideal one horn does it all kinda tuba yet. I like rotor horns, so while Gnagey's, Kanstul's, & Getzen horns may be nice, I just don't go that way. I did do everything for a while on my Mira 186, but I would not choose that. My Mira 184, while versatile would be lacking in certain theaters... As for my Alexes - I feel the 5/4 163 is a little too large for a do-it-all, the 164 is fun, but I would not want to play standing gigs... we are talking about DO-IT-ALL. Maybe the 155 F - its too small for R&J... so nope.

I have heard good things about Alex 174's, and Rudy 3/4 tubas. I would look seriously at these before making a decision. I have never seen either in person. Maybe there is a piston horn out there I would like - it would have to not hurt my hands like my 621 did, and it would have to have a more "exponential/german" stack design.

Out of the horns I've owned (or otherwise have seriously known), definitely my Miraphone 188. I do not think it's absolutely perfect for absolutely everything, but it's really really good at a lot of things, and if I'm "stuck" with that forever, then that's a pretty good thing.

Others I've owned:
Miraphone 1291 -- too big
Cerveny F -- too small
VMI/MW-30 -- good, but I'd want to find something easier to play
PT-3 -- too long ago to accurately remember, but again, I think it would work

I might also want to try a big rotary F tuba as a do-it-all, but that's a territory I know very little about.

Moderate sized, piston bass tuba without hesitation. Probably a Miraphone 1281 or perhaps a MW 2141 (though I recall feeling rather uncomfortable playing it). And a nice marching baritone for the hell of it. Hey, at least it's not really a tuba!

Nirschl 4/4 -- it can go big but it is also very responsive at lower volume.

Easy choice. Miraphone 188. And, a Benge 290 dual independent bass trombone Bb/F/G/Eb/Gb/D, with Schilke 58 mouthpiece. (Gotta love that two part second valve slide.)

Ace

Besson Sovereign 981 with Wick 3L and 1XL.

I would choose, without hesitation... Jake's (now CSO's) York. Heaven in brass.

If the CSO hits financial hard times like some other orchestras, do you think they'd sell it to me? I'd ask real nice.

The Willson 3100 would be too heavy for forever...
So I would go for a Rudy 4/4 BBb or Miraphone 191 BBb (5-valver )
I think I could live with a Hirsbrunner 4/4 BBb too, but too long ago I played one.

Wim

My Alexander 163
When I played tuba for money I used this tuba for all types of jobs. I have not found a tuba that I like better.

Mark

My Meinl-Weston 2145 CC ..that tuba can do anything that I could ask of it

Like someone mentioned, it would have to be Jac's York that is owned by the CSO. What? I can only play that if I'm the tubist in the CSO? Okay, I guess if I have to....

Mark Horne wrote:For myself, I would be tempted to say the Neptune because it does so many things well for a 6/4 horn - great sound, good intonation. But it's big and hardly convenient to lug around and manuever in tight spaces.

I would tend to agree. the Neptune is what I would love to say and if one mainly plays in concert band it could well do the job. But not suitable for some orchestral repertoire and really too heavy for quintet playing.

It has therefore got to be the ubiquitous 19" bell British 3+1 EEb (of whichever manufacturer preferred) which really can be used for anything, and is by many UK tubists. Playing the Wessex/JinBao EEb after 5 years on rotary tubas has made me appreciate how adaptable is this type of tuba. Not the best for everything, but can be used to make a pretty good job playing anything.

A 4/4 CC seems good for most, but makes high-register solos a lot more difficult, while by comparing recordings I have been surprised how much breath of tone comes out of the EEb in the low register even if it does feel a lot more stuffy.

B&S JBL Classic