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Been wondering this for a while.

When manufacturers design instruments, do the put in a default slide pull length? Meaning do they design the length of the slides, and the instrument as a whole in the case of the main tuning slide, to be theoretically in tune with those slides being pulled out a predetermined amount?

What are those default pull lengths? Are they consistent across makes and models? I am not really attempting to argue the idiosyncrasies of individual instruments or debate the value of slide pulling for tuning vs. tone. Just trying to get an idea of the manufacturer's intent.

I don't know how enlightening this is, but when I contacted Bob Tucci about my oddball B&S tuba, he sent me the notes he took during play testing, and remarked that it played at A=440 with acceptable intonation with the main slide out 3/4" using a PT-88. Seems like he was happy with that fact. Now whether that was part of the design, I couldn't tell you. And I can also tell you that my Rudi 3/4 had the first slide cut to get the D in the staff in tune, which was pretty clearly necessary. So I guess I'd argue from that that it's figured into the design by many, not by all, and probably not to a standard.

Remember that some people naturally play flat, and others play sharp - so the slide positions are not going to be the same for different people. What mouthpiece is used also affects tuning.

Ideally it is nice if tuba plays in tune with slide 1/2" out to allow for some adjustment either way, but due to the earlier factors and also because some are made to A = 440 and some to A = 442 that will often not be the case.