Rotary or piston?

[passion4tuba]

I have always wondered which tuba harbor the best response...
i know alot of other factors play into the horn, but if both horns were identical in brand, size, key, condition... which valves would bring about better response?

thanks

[Chuck(G)]

Yes, they do.

[pulseczar]

I'd prefer piston, but they always seem to get stuck.

[tuba114]

Some would say that pistons are faster for trills, quick runs ect...

[Lew]

Some would say that pistons are faster for trills, quick runs ect...

Others would say that rotaries are faster because of the shorter travel distance. They'd both be right...or wrong.

[tubatooter1940]

Pistons rule!!!

[Dan Schultz]

I play piston horns AND rotary horns regularly. Sauerkraut gets right by rotary valves without causing problems. That kind of stuff really jams up piston valves... unless you've got the special 'Tubatinker Krautcutter' installed in your leadpipe. And now a word from our sponsor

[windshieldbug]

... response, as in response to this question?

[iiipopes]

Beer, on the other hand, flows through the rotors much better without losing its carbonation so you can fill up the bell better. And since i only play a 3-valve comp horn, I've been trying to figure out how to take that 4th valve, especially the offset one on a Besson, and turn it into a beer tap directly off a keg. So make sure to follow up the kraut with a sizable quaff of beer in order to free the pistons back up, if you don't mind losing some carbonation. Now just where is that picture....?

[GC]

Slide. Then you can always be in tune. Or out of tune.

[LoyalTubist]

I have both piston and rotary tubas and they give me equal trouble. though different problems. Piston valves seem to require more care. I rarely have to use valve oil on rotary valves, but I sometimes have problems with linkages. Fast fingering is pretty much the same for me on both piston and rotary.

[MartyNeilan]

Piston:

Rotary:

[Alex Reeder]

One thing that surprises me about valve choice is that there is not more of a difference in sound, considering how different the two valve systems are mechanically.

In my experience, and I am sure there will be those who disagree, pistons and rotaries feel very different to the player, look different, but to the listener sound surprisingly similar.

I think how it sounds to the listener in the audience is the most important thing, followed by how the valves feel to the player, and then finally any maintenance issues there may be with either system.

I think most people would agree that a well-maintained valve of either type will not give you many problems.

[windshieldbug]

[Teubonium]

... which valves would bring about better response?

thanks

First and second, their loops are shorter!!

[fpoon]

I'm a piston man myself. Rotors can def. go longer without oiling, but pistons just feel better to for some reason. Probably because it feels like your playing something big as opposed to feeling like you're playing some giant french horn.

To each his own, but give me big buttons to mash instead of levers to push.

And short action pistons should rock everyones socks off.

[LoyalTubist]

I wonder if the size of one's fingers has something to do with how we feel about this. I don't have big hands but I have long fingers. I really sense no difference in long and short action piston valves, if they are properly lubricated.

[fpoon]

And I've got small hands and short fingers, so you may be on to something...

[Cameron Gates]

Bwaaahaaahaaahaaa. Major props windshieldbug.

[Chuck(G)]

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