Compact-wrapped 5/4 CC tubas

[bort]

What are some 5/4 CC tubas that have very compact wraps?

That is, a low top bow, instead of a top bow that is near the bell.

A 4/4 example is the Miraphone 186 or 188. Anything 5/4 that is like this? I am drawing a blank.

[Lectron]

Rudy is probably worth mentioning

[Mark Horne]

It's hard to meet all those criteria, but the closest thing matching that description to me is an Alexander 163. Its 5/4 designation comes not so much from its size (fits into a 186 gig bag), but from its straight .808 inch bore and bigger overall sound. It's body is taller than the Miraphones but the top bow does not come close to the end of the bell. The leadpipe sits a bit higher on the bell so it feels "taller" to play. Compared to Miraphone's 129X-series 5/4 horns, I've always felt that the Alexander could generate a bigger sound, especially down low. If you really wanted a compact 5/4 body and a tall bell then Miraphone's 190 should fit the description (although I suspect it's a lot bigger than you would want).

Also worth mentioning as a horn with a compact body, tall bell and a 5/4 sound would be a Kalison Daryl Smith model. It's the most Alexander-like in sound of any piston tuba that I've played.

[bort]

Rudy is probably worth mentioning

Love the Rudy 5/4, but it is really a 6/4 tuba. Too big for me.

[bort]

...Alexander 163...

Thanks Mark. Guess I forgot about that one somehow!

[joh_tuba]

I wouldn't call a Cerveny Piggy a 5/4 but it certainly plays and sounds bigger than most 4/4 horns.

Can't get much more compact than that.

[bort]

Thanks... Yeah, the Piggy has a very short bell/tall bow. Not a shape that works for me. I guess the Cerveny 693(?) is very tightly wrapped.

Same for the Bruckner. I had a 1291 for many years, and instantly felt more comfortable on the 188 , holding the tuba.

I like so much about the 188, just always want it to be a little larger. Might be time to give it another try. That or a 163. From many angles, it keeps coming down to those two options.

Thanks everyone!

[TheGoyWonder]

nooooooooo not more bad terminology!
"compact wrap" means it's wrapped to be short overall. Like a Piggy. Taller body, shorter bell till the point they nearly meet.
terminology for what you mean is lacking...maybe "traditional-wrap", "long-bell"

[bort]

Not surprised if I called it the wrong thing.

Either way, I don't like it when the top bow is all up on the bell.

[Lectron]

Going back there myself on the large tuba.
Better to hold, and like the bell further away

[swillafew]

PT-20P is small and plays really well. I played a new one when I didn't have the money to buy it (or so I thought). I should have dug deeper and bought it. I don't (what)-4 those are, but who cares if it plays well enough. There has never been a used one anywhere near me since then.

[Tubaguyry]

"compact wrap" means it's wrapped to be short overall. Like a Piggy.

I'm gonna have to disagree with you on this. "Compact wrap" to me means the "guts" (from the leadpipe through the bottom bow.) I would definitely consider the 188 to have a "compact wrap." To me, this makes it a MUCH different (read: better) hold than a 186. Much more comfortable, much more nimble feeling.

[TheGoyWonder]

The tall-bell, traditional wrap puts the bell a bit further from your head so you can actually hear other instruments.
And it looks way cooler.

[bort]

http://www.dillonmusic.com/p-4951-mirap ... -tuba.aspx" target="_blank" target="_blank

So you want a larger 188? Here you go

The 190s that I have tried were all pretty different from the 188, and not really like a bigger 188, as I thought it would be. This includes a brand new 190 from a few years ago.

I sounded awful on it, but think it just requires a different kind of air and playing.

I really do like the Bruckner, too, but just never really get comfortable with my left hand/arm.

[jeopardymaster]

The PT-6 looks to me to be very similar in appearance and dimension to an Alex 163, although it doesn't play quite as big, to my feel.

[Basses88]

The Miraphone 190 really is a different beast.
I spent some time trying a large number of different mouthpieces, and found that deep cup mouthpieces don't behave well with the 190.
A shallow cup mouthpiece created a great bouquet of sound on the horn.
My eventual choice was to play the 190 with a Bobo Symphonic.

[bort]

Do you still use a 190? If not, what did you move on to?

[Basses88]

I still have the 190. Plays like a gem!!
I leave the 190 in the rehearsal hall, and play a Holton 355 (with a Cooley Helleberg) at home.