What horns do the pros play on?

[Rick Denney]

I am doing a survey to see what horns do the pros happen to play on such as what CC and F's or other. Please, this is a real survey so keep all sarcasim to yourself or post on something else. Thank You.

Sheesh.

If you really want to know this in any systematic way, then get on the phone and ask them. Any less is no longer systematic, and you might as well just be asking for a Tubenet Freak Jury recommendation.

Most of the pros I have seen come from one of two camps. Those still in the Alexander camp play...Alexanders. Wade Rackley is a poster here who represents that group. Some in that camp prefer Rudolf Meinl tubas, of which the 5/4 is the legendary big tuba.

Most pros are in the Yorkophone camp, however. They play Yorkish instruments, and those seem to be distributed among the range of options. Mike Sanders plays a Yorkbrunner, Gene Porkorny plays THE York (his own BAT is a Yorkbrunner), Dave Kirk and Jay Bertolet play Nirschls (as did Floyd Cooley), Matt Good plays a 2265 (or a 2165 modified similarly--I forget which), Lee Hipp plays a Neptune, Alan Baer plays a Gronitz PCK (at least I think he still does), Michel Moore plays an old Holton, and so on. Some players are in orchestras that suggest somewhat smaller tubas, either because of the maestro or because of the hall, and play instruments like the Meinl-Weston 2000 (Ron Bishop, Chris Hall--though he also plays an HB-21--, etc.). I'm sure there are still Willson 3050's being played. Most Yorkophone players also have something smaller, and I can't think of a single good 4/4-5/4 CC tuba that isn't in at least some pro's arsenal, including Miraphone 1291, M-W 2000 and 2155, B&S PT-6, Gronitz PCM, Conn 56J, and so on.

The premiere military dudes play Yorkophones, too--usually provided for them. Their personal instruments run the gamut. I bought my Bb Holton from a military pro whose main big tuba is a Yorkbrunner.

Nearly all orchestra pros I've seen play B&S F tubas. A few play the range of other options, including Hirsbrunner, Willson, Miraphone, Gronitz, and Yamaha.

I've played a few of the tubas owned by top pros, and didn't find them particular special compared to what I own. I have concluded that the difference between me and them isn't the equipment. It must be the mouthpiece.

Rick "who, if an aspiring orchestra pro not wanting to suffer an equipment disadvantage, would probably buy a Gronitz PCK and a B&S Symphonie" Denney

[iiipopes]

What horns do the pros play on? Brass ones with mouthpiece and valves. Seriously, even though there some which have a place in several orchestras, like maybe a PT-6, there are about as many different tubas played in orchestra as there are people who play them.

[thedeep42]

What key you play in depends largely on where you live/work. I know several guys that have (and use in various areas) all four keys. Some have 2 F's and 2 C's..A BAT, a Mirafone 4/4 C, a large MW F, and a smaller PT F. When buying my first large tuba I was cautioned to stay small. You can get a surprisingly good sound without having a huge horn. My teacher still uses his mirafone 186 that he bought 30 years ago. It fits his needs perfectly. he then encouraged me to buy the rudy 5/4 i found... i did. It's been great but a lot of work. Also, I am hearing a lot more about Eb's these days... the brits might have been on to something. as for naming names... couldn't be bothered.

what i would love to know is how you can find out what say the finalists on an audition were playing. that'd rock.

[MartyNeilan]

I am doing a survey to see what horns do the pros happen to play on such as what CC and F's or other. Please, this is a real survey so keep all sarcasim to yourself or post on something else. Thank You.

My trombone prof in college did his dissertation on the Alto trombone, and he sent hundreds of survey cards to virtually every professional trombone player in every orchestra in the country including Joe "5 O'clock Shadow" Alessi.

[cjk]

PT-6 Rotary Silver
Nirschl 6/4 CC
Mira Firebird F
PT48

I thought you were helping a "friend" buy a PT-6.

[KenS]

The one you don't have....

[sc_curtis]

Now his screen name just seems silly, doesn't it? He's just gonna have to make a new one!

[bttmbow]

"Thanks, shoeshine boy,; you're humble and loveable."

Underdog

[tubeast]

215588,

please note the lack of sarcasm in this post.
Some people already suggested you contact pros in person/writing/eMail. Let me add a suggestion here:

When you contact those people that are supposed to contribute to that survey of yours, make sure you´re serious about what you´re doing. Share information as to the relevance (to you) of the survey you´re doing, what kind of answer is expected, and what conclusions you´re hoping to draw from it.

If somebody approached me with the message "Howdy. You´re a mechanical engineer. What kind of calculator do you use ?" I´d possibly "file" this message to the big round folder.

I sure hope there´s more to that survey than an Excel file with a list of names and brands/models of tubas. There must be further things you´d want to know to get any valuable information.

[iiipopes]

You never posted the reason for your survey: personal curiosity? college paper? If I may expand on tubeast's post, unless you have a good objective reason for asking, like doing a college paper, and have a sentence or two of introduction -- but not so long they'll trash it before they even get to what you're asking for -- any normal person will be suspicious. They won't know if it is a legitimate survey, as yours is, or a ruse to case them.

So be prepared to investigate alternate sources for your survey, like looking on the particular ensemble's or performer's website, liner notes in recordings, to a lesser extent manufacturer's artist endorsements (yeah, I know, with a grain of salt, but still...) or (imagine, even!) going to a concert, master class, convention, etc., to see first hand. I know that can entail a lot of mileage and may not be practical, but since people are their own grapevine, when you get an answer in person from one, you might say something like, BTW, do you know what any of the others use, and could you get me an introduction? If asked politely and in context, one open door can lead to the opening of other doors.

Good luck!

[Leland]

The professionals play.....




horns they sound good on!

Or, at least, we take the horns that we're supposed to play and make them sound good.

Hopefully.

[tubaguy9]

I am doing a survey to see what horns do the pros happen to play on such as what CC and F's or other. Please, this is a real survey so keep all sarcasim to yourself or post on something else. Thank You.

Sheesh.

If you really want to know this in any systematic way, then get on the phone and ask them. Any less is no longer systematic, and you might as well just be asking for a Tubenet Freak Jury recommendation.

Most of the pros I have seen come from one of two camps. Those still in the Alexander camp play...Alexanders. Wade Rackley is a poster here who represents that group. Some in that camp prefer Rudolf Meinl tubas, of which the 5/4 is the legendary big tuba.

Most pros are in the Yorkophone camp, however. They play Yorkish instruments, and those seem to be distributed among the range of options. Mike Sanders plays a Yorkbrunner, Gene Porkorny plays THE York (his own BAT is a Yorkbrunner), Dave Kirk and Jay Bertolet play Nirschls (as did Floyd Cooley), Matt Good plays a 2265 (or a 2165 modified similarly--I forget which), Lee Hipp plays a Neptune, Alan Baer plays a Gronitz PCK (at least I think he still does), Michel Moore plays an old Holton, and so on. Some players are in orchestras that suggest somewhat smaller tubas, either because of the maestro or because of the hall, and play instruments like the Meinl-Weston 2000 (Ron Bishop, Chris Hall--though he also plays an HB-21--, etc.). I'm sure there are still Willson 3050's being played. Most Yorkophone players also have something smaller, and I can't think of a single good 4/4-5/4 CC tuba that isn't in at least some pro's arsenal, including Miraphone 1291, M-W 2000 and 2155, B&S PT-6, Gronitz PCM, Conn 56J, and so on.

The premiere military dudes play Yorkophones, too--usually provided for them. Their personal instruments run the gamut. I bought my Bb Holton from a military pro whose main big tuba is a Yorkbrunner.

Nearly all orchestra pros I've seen play B&S F tubas. A few play the range of other options, including Hirsbrunner, Willson, Miraphone, Gronitz, and Yamaha.

I've played a few of the tubas owned by top pros, and didn't find them particular special compared to what I own. I have concluded that the difference between me and them isn't the equipment. It must be the mouthpiece.

Rick "who, if an aspiring orchestra pro not wanting to suffer an equipment disadvantage, would probably buy a Gronitz PCK and a B&S Symphonie" Denney

Dang...Couldn't agree with you more. I guess I'll just add that a few artists (Roger Bobo, Jim Self) use Yamaha's, but they are sponsored by them, so what do you expect?
Tubaguy9 "Who would use the tuba from a sponsor"

[tubaguy9]

PT-6 Rotary Silver
Nirschl 6/4 CC
Mira Firebird F
PT48

I thought you were helping a "friend" buy a PT-6.

As in, "Doctor, I have this friend who says it hurts when he pees. What do you think is wrong with me...I mean, him"

HaHa!!! I really agree with everything that has been said on here!

[Mark]

I'll just add that a few artists (Roger Bobo, Jim Self) use Yamaha's, but they are sponsored by them, so what do you expect?
Tubaguy9 "Who would use the tuba from a sponsor"

I'm curious. When was the last time you saw Roger Bobo, live, playing a Yamaha tuba?

[Rick Denney]

I guess I'll just add that a few artists (Roger Bobo, Jim Self) use Yamaha's, but they are sponsored by them, so what do you expect?
Tubaguy9 "Who would use the tuba from a sponsor"

Step 1. Become good enough on whatever tuba you own so that a sponsor will want you to play their instrument.

Step 2. Sound good on their instrument.

I've never met anyone who could perform Step 1 who could not manage Step 2.

Rick "thinking Step 1 is the tricky part" Denney

[tubatooter1940]

Pretty obvious that many of us tubenetters were put off by the way MW215588 phrased his poll. I value my "sarcasim" dearly and resent being told to stifle it.
My tuba choice may have little bearing on any legit poll. I play my 1940 King Efer in smoky bars and in tents at the beach along with my 1960 Gibson 330 archtop guitar and Olds trumpet going through an 1,800 watt P.A. system. It would be nice to honk a shiny new horn in the back row of some fine orchestra but there are none within driving distance so we help sell adult beverages. I couldn't have a horn that could not tolerate having the occasional beer spilled over it.

[iiipopes]

Or served out of it! Just where IS that picture?