TubeNet

Just visited the B&S web site http://www.b-and-s.com/en/" target="_blank and the http://thomann.de" target="_blank web site, are getting quite confused about the models

B&S 3099/2/W-L F-Tuba (PT-10)

B&S 3099/1/W-L F-Tuba (PT-11)

B&S 3100
more European style F with six valves (4+2)
with a slightly smaller bore than the 3099

B&S 50992W
mosts popular F tubas in the US market.
It features five rotary valves right with 3B linkages,
and larger graduated bore.

All of them have a 420 mm bell with graduated bore 19-21 mm ??? Even if one is 'slightly smaller' and the other is featuring a larger graduated bore'?

And what is the difference between the B&S 3099/2/W-L F-Tuba (PT-10) and the B&S 3099/1/W-L F-Tuba (PT-11) ???

Quite confusing isn't it ??

Someone correct me if I'm wrong:

PT-10 has five valves all right hand while PT-11 is a 4+1 setup.

The 5099 (PT-15) has a slightly larger bell throat than the 10.

Edit: the 3100 is the PT-8, I believe... from Thomann:

"It features a graduated bore that begins at .669" and terminate at .827" (17-21 mm). It has a 16.5" (420mm) bell and stands 38" tall."

So it's like a beefier Symphonie in that it has a graduated bore that starts smaller.

PT 8 is the smaller 17-21mm 5V, while the B&S 3100 (PT 9) is the 6V version, very similar to the old Symphonie's. (Getting to play the PT 9 at SERTEC these past 2 days was amazing, by far my favorite F)

Hallo Marc,

The B&S F tubas are quite straightforward, just drop the marketing speak.

3099 means 5 valves
3100 means 6 valves

W means wide bore ie: 19mm-21mm
no W means small bore ie: 17-21mm

/2 means the 5th valve lever is on the right side
/1 means the 5th valve lever is on the left side

L means laquer
S means silver

G means goldbrass/Goldmessing

5100 models have a slightly larger bell throat. I believe the leadpipe is slightly shorter to help bring up the pitch due to the slightly larger bell throat.

PT prefix and 3xxx are all the same tubas..just a different engraving.

"And what is the difference between the B&S 3099/2/W-L F-Tuba (PT-10) and the B&S 3099/1/W-L F-Tuba (PT-11) ???"
The difference is, one has the 5th valve paddle on the right thumb and the other has the 5th valve paddle for the left index finger.

If I missed something, someone please chime in...

Grüße aus Berlin,
TheBerlinerTuba

The horn I was recently trying was a 3100W, what is the differences between 3100/3100W/5100/5100W?

TheBerlinerTuba wrote:Hallo Marc,

The B&S F tubas are quite straightforward, just drop the marketing speak.

3099 means 5 valves
3100 means 6 valves

W means wide bore ie: 19mm-21mm
no W means small bore ie: 17-21mm

/2 means the 5th valve lever is on the right side
/1 means the 5th valve lever is on the left side

L means laquer
S means silver

G means goldbrass/Goldmessing

5100 models have a slightly larger bell throat. I believe the leadpipe is slightly shorter to help bring up the pitch due to the slightly larger bell throat.

PT prefix and 3xxx are all the same tubas..just a different engraving.

"And what is the difference between the B&S 3099/2/W-L F-Tuba (PT-10) and the B&S 3099/1/W-L F-Tuba (PT-11) ???"
The difference is, one has the 5th valve paddle on the right thumb and the other has the 5th valve paddle for the left index finger.

If I missed something, someone please chime in...

Grüße aus Berlin,
TheBerlinerTuba

Very helpful!

TheBerlinerTuba wrote:Hallo Marc,
The B&S F tubas are quite straightforward, just drop the marketing speak.

TheBerlinerTuba

Hi Lois - thanks, this explanation was what I was seeking for. Clear and concise - much more helpful than found on B&S own web pages. Thanks!

I owned an older one, a PT-10 equivalent I was told. I play tested a PT-15 and they were more alike than different. Both played very well, and also very much alike.