What do you think about the pt-6?

pulseczar · Post by **pulseczar** » Sat Sep 09, 2006 11:17 am

I think it's great. If you search tubenet, you'll find a big smorgasbord of answers.

[edit]

I didn't mean sarcasm in the first sentence. I own a pt6 that has two crushed points on the leadpipe, the bell not properly soldered on (damn you shipping) , and springs that clack like the dickens and I still think it sounds really good.

Slamson · Post by **Slamson** » Sat Sep 09, 2006 11:22 am

Great horn. Get the pistons. When I played one that one of my students got I found it a little big for chamber music, but it can be managed - I just felt a little like I was trying to park an SUV in a "compact car only" spot in a parking deck... you can do it, but take care.

MikeMason · Post by **MikeMason** » Sat Sep 09, 2006 1:18 pm

The one rotary one i've heard by a live pro on Tcaik.4 was anything but vanilla.It had a ton of color in the sound.Andy Miller has since swithced to a piston one and i haven't heard that yet.

cjk · Post by **cjk** » Sat Sep 09, 2006 3:08 pm

Huttl FTW

The PT-6(p) is a big tuba with a good scale.

Response, sound, ergonomics, etc ... are all subjective and will vary with the person but lots of people seem to like these instruments.

WoodSheddin · Post by **WoodSheddin** » Sat Sep 09, 2006 5:45 pm

Possibly the best all around large ensemble horn in production today.

poomshanka · Post by **poomshanka** » Sat Sep 09, 2006 8:21 pm

Just throwing it out there - the B&S PT-6 is also available as a VMI 3098 (rotary) or 3198 (piston). As best I can figure, the only difference is the price.

There's also a Gerhard Baier version of the horn (although that model isn't shown on their website), and I know Summerhays (http://www.summerhaysmusic.com/) had one at the regional tuba conference in Vegas back in '05.

I played a PT-6 for seven years, but like my rotary Willson much better.

...D

Wyvern · Post by **Wyvern** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 3:48 am

I had a PT-6 (rotary) before my Neptune (rotary) and didn't find it anywhere near as good as its bigger brother I have today.

The PT-6 probably vary quite a bit between individual instruments, so it's the usual advice to try the actual one you are purchasing first.

FWIW I have been told that the piston PT-6P is generally better than the rotary PT-6.

Udi · Post by **Udi** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 3:11 am

I play one and really love it.

tbn.al · Post by **tbn.al** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 7:48 am

I have played alongside a rotary PT-6 for 3 years in the orchestra I play with. It is in the hands of an excellent amateur tubist and provides a supurb foudation for the brass section to build on. Solid core of sound. Spot on intonation. Everytime Chuck brings in another of his tubas to "try" I cringe. I love playing with the PT-6.

rodmathews · Post by **rodmathews** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 4:41 pm

I play a silver PT-6P, and I love it. It works for me, and I have been happy with it in all registers and in all dynamics, and in many different types of professional groups.

I've also heard a lot of people play on PT-6's of the piston and rotary variety, and I've always been impressed with what I heard. The amateurs I've heard play them sound better than maybe they should, and Jeff Anderson sounds absolutely amazing on his rotary PT-6 in the San Francisco Symphony. Peter Wahrhaftig is another example of someone who sounds fantastic on a rotary PT-6, and Steve Campbell clearly has had lots of success with his PT-6P. I had the pleasure of hearing Steve play Harmonielehre on my own personal horn, and he sounded great. My good friend Eric Fritz down in Xalapa Mexico also sounds wonderful on his PT-6P. I'm looking forward to hearing Carol Jantsch on hers when Phillie comes to San Francisco later in the year, and Bob Tucci sounded great on his when the Bavarian Radio Orchestra came through SF a few years ago. You get the point...

Can you tell I'm just a bit biased?

At the end of the day you have to play what works for you. The PT-6's work for a lot of people, but certainly not everyone or every situation. You'll just have to try it for yourself and get feedback from people you trust.

Rod