Hi everyone... does anyone out there have direct experience with the B&S PT7 that they can share? (Can email or PM me if you don't want to post publicly.)
I've already sent emails to the usual people that I bother with my questions (and THANK you for the replies), but was curious who else might have some first-hand experience with the PT7.
I know the basics -- essentially the same as a PT6, but a bigger bell and bottom bow(?)... and quite similar to the piston Neptune, but again, a different bell (and less "bling"). Also know that these are relatively rare, given the overwhelming popularity of the PT6p, and that it's a large tuba suitable for large-tuba things. I once owned a rotary Neptune, and have played PT6's in the past (a while ago). Generally know what this series of tubas is about... but haven't played a PT7.
I'm curious about playing characteristics, the type of sound (Holton 345/MW2165 kind of "BAT" sound, or a more focused sound than that? [I recall the PT6 not being particularly "woofy"...?]), ergonomics, weight, etc. Anything helps.
At this point, I'm not too interested to discuss alternate options, really just looking for information and experiences with the PT7. (And yes, I realize that this is a piston tuba!)
Thanks!
B&S PT7 (4198) opinions
- bort
- 6 valves
- Posts: 11222
- Joined: Wed Sep 22, 2004 11:08 pm
- Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Steve Marcus
- pro musician
- Posts: 1842
- Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2004 12:18 am
- Location: Chicago area
- Contact:
Re: B&S PT7 (4198) opinions
I can’t offer you comments about the sound and playability of the PT-7 because I’ve only tried them in exhibition booths. (Now, of course, the closest horn you’ll find in a Buffet booth is an MRP, sometimes with Mr. P. himself sitting with that tuba.)
But I can comment on the ergonomics. I could never get comfortable with a PT-7. Perhaps it was the position of the leadpipe. The irony is that the rotary B&S Neptune that I play, which has a larger bell (and bottom bow?) than the PT-7, is very comfortable to hold. It never gets stuffy, even on the low C# (5 valves). A few notes don’t slot as well as they would on other tubas.
But I can comment on the ergonomics. I could never get comfortable with a PT-7. Perhaps it was the position of the leadpipe. The irony is that the rotary B&S Neptune that I play, which has a larger bell (and bottom bow?) than the PT-7, is very comfortable to hold. It never gets stuffy, even on the low C# (5 valves). A few notes don’t slot as well as they would on other tubas.
- bort
- 6 valves
- Posts: 11222
- Joined: Wed Sep 22, 2004 11:08 pm
- Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Re: B&S PT7 (4198) opinions
Interesting, thanks Steve. I agree, the rotary Neptune was a really comfortable tuba to hold. Frankly, if I could have fit the 20.5 inch bell in my car, I would have kept it.
- cjk
- 5 valves
- Posts: 1915
- Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2004 12:16 pm
Re: B&S PT7 (4198) opinions
Do you realize that this is a piston tuba?
- bort
- 6 valves
- Posts: 11222
- Joined: Wed Sep 22, 2004 11:08 pm
- Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Re: B&S PT7 (4198) opinions
I prefer to think of it as "20% rotary."cjk wrote:Do you realize that this is a piston tuba?
- Wyvern
- Wessex Tubas
- Posts: 5033
- Joined: Fri Sep 01, 2006 7:00 pm
- Location: Hampshire, England when not travelling around the world on Wessex business
- Contact:
Re: B&S PT7 (4198) opinions
Sounds like you should have changed car, rather than tubabort wrote:Frankly, if I could have fit the 20.5 inch bell in my car, I would have kept it.
PS I will have a very special one-off handmade all gold brass Neptune up for sale soon. A lovely tuba, but I now never play
-
- bugler
- Posts: 215
- Joined: Thu Oct 19, 2006 4:22 pm
- Location: Lombard or Champaign/Urbana
Re: B&S PT7 (4198) opinions
I know precisely one player (who is a professional) who played a PT-7. Two things to note:
1.) By his account the two other examples of this horn he tried were not worth owning.
2.) He now owns a different CC tuba. Granted, it's an absolutely beautiful Nirschl.
That being said he did sound great on it. He also sounded great on my old East German looks-like-it-went-through-a-war Sonora BBb. As always, if given the chance, try before you buy.
1.) By his account the two other examples of this horn he tried were not worth owning.
2.) He now owns a different CC tuba. Granted, it's an absolutely beautiful Nirschl.
That being said he did sound great on it. He also sounded great on my old East German looks-like-it-went-through-a-war Sonora BBb. As always, if given the chance, try before you buy.
- bort
- 6 valves
- Posts: 11222
- Joined: Wed Sep 22, 2004 11:08 pm
- Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Re: B&S PT7 (4198) opinions
Thanks for the info!Levaix wrote:I know precisely one player (who is a professional) who played a PT-7. Two things to note:
1.) By his account the two other examples of this horn he tried were not worth owning.
2.) He now owns a different CC tuba. Granted, it's an absolutely beautiful Nirschl.
That being said he did sound great on it. He also sounded great on my old East German looks-like-it-went-through-a-war Sonora BBb. As always, if given the chance, try before you buy.