DEG

[Dan Schultz]

I'm not a big fan of convertible tubas. And... I have to admit, I have never even seen a DEG tuba. From a repairmans point of view, I SHOULD like convertible horns because I always see lots of leadpipe repairs on the same convertible horns year after year... mostly Yamahas, Conns, and Kings.

I am not a high school band director (and don't wish to be) but... if I was, I would use sousas for marching (probably Conns) and decent concert style tubas for everything else.

[CJ Krause]

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[MartyNeilan]

FWIW, the older DEG Caravelle models (made by Wilson) came with both a brass and a fiberglass detachable bell. Sound with the brass bell had a lot of punch, but did lack depth. Don't even think about the fiberglass bell. The horn even seemed to balance better with the brass bell.

[adam0408]

Man I really liked the convertible tubas we used in high school for pep band/marching band. I thought (dont throw stones please) that they sounded a whole lot better than sousaphones. I think they were yamahas, but I dont remember all that well.

[Leland]

Search...

viewtopic.php?t=5915
http://www.chisham.com/tips/bbs/nov1999 ... 17513.html

Marching tuba or sousaphone? Depends on where you're using it. Most of the time (street marching, step-2 drill, pep band), I'd say sousaphone, and for some venues (mainly corps-style drill), definitely contra.

What kinds?

Sousa: King (my preference), or Conn 20K or 14K
Contra: Kanstul, King, or 5/4 DEG

One style is not inherently better than the other in every area and incarnation. However, it is very true that small marching tubas suck.

Oh, and I prefer the sound of G instruments.

[ThomasDodd]

I'd really like to see/play the Kanstul convertibles.




I like the difference in tconversion too. A true marching horn and a decent looking concert horn design. Notice the valve block relocates
http://www.kanstul.com/pages/miscpgs/convert.html