Most underrated tubas

Naptown Tuba · Post by **Naptown Tuba** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 9:09 pm

I was meaning to chime in here and give 3 cheers for my King/Gnagey. Best horn I've ever played. An absolute Monster low end with super intonation all up and down the register. Had it for about 4 months now. Sam also made the 3rd and 5th valve slides interchangable; so I can switch them, hold down the 5th and have a great BBb as well as a CC. Intonation is great regardless of which key you're in. Amazing

Cameron Gates · Post by **Cameron Gates** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 9:14 pm

HB2. Not the piston curly-Q leadpipe thing. The rotor 4/4.

This horn gets no pub anymore, but for me it is the closest thing to a point, shoot, kill horn that I have played.

They pop up from time to time and seem to sell fast. Especially if they have solid-core valves and a semi-not rotton leadpipe.

The last 2 times I have been to Custom they did not have any. Are they importing these things anymore? I guess they would be a tough sell with all the 6/4 pistonmania. I would like to try a new vintage of this classic. Anyone seen a new one?

tofu · Post by **tofu** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 9:16 pm

Ace · Post by **Ace** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 10:10 pm

Of the many tubas I have owned, three models stand out as seriously underrated:

Dalyan CC; Jupiter 478 BBb; Cerveny 601-5MR CC

The very low cost Dalyan and Jupiter represent a lot of tuba for the money. The Cerveny is expensive, but worth every dime because of its magnificent sound.

tubatom91 · Post by **tubatom91** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 11:17 pm

Meinl Weston 25. Just for the fact that you never hear about them much on hear. Probably the best BBb I've played (I've played like 4).

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 11:30 pm

Getzen G-50

B&S PT-4 (I prefer this over the PT-20 by far)

Quicksilvertuba · Post by **Quicksilvertuba** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 11:35 pm

not sure if it's coincidence or not, but most tubas talked about on here are contrabasses... I guess bass tubas are generally what they say they are (or worse) compared to their price, huh? I don't own a bass tuba, and haven't played many, but from all the complaining I hear about their low registers and intonation issues, I'm guessing you can't find many underratted F or E flat horns?

Arkietuba · Post by **Arkietuba** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 11:38 pm

Sam Gnagey's horns...

I think they qualify as under rated due to the fact that very few people actually consider them when they're in the market for a new horn. Everyone that has played one loves it and you can't find a better horn for the price. I was absolutely shocked the first time I picked one up and played it. I was dissapointed by how inconsistant the Mirafones and Meinl Westons were and Sam's suprised me. They are really consistant and even/smooth.

Ed Jones · Post by **Ed Jones** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 12:04 am

Almost all rotary valve contrabass tubas are underrated. Almost all piston valve bass (especially F) tubas are underrated.

What would our preferences in contrabass tubas be if Arnold Jacobs had played a rotary CC tuba?

Art Hovey · Post by **Art Hovey** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 12:34 am

I would put in a vote for the big Jupiter BBb. I don't like the leadpipe placement, I don't like the second valve slide that can't be pulled far enough to be useful, and it's too tall. But it PLAYS. The dual bore (which is never advertised) and open wrap have a lot to do with its success.

The Conn 12J is also under-rated. It has the best high register of any BBb tuba I have played.

Biggs · Post by **Biggs** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 1:00 am

King 2341.

Playable, durable, usable in schools but decent enough for advancing players as well. It is what it is. Good bang for the buck.

Biggs · Post by **Biggs** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 3:46 am

DP wrote:eventually this thread will list just about every tuba there is

Then we can start a new thread: "Most Rated Tuba"

Alex C · Post by **Alex C** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 9:24 am

Doc wrote: Was that YOUR 4/4 I tried at TMEA, or was that a demo? I can't remember. It was an absolute dream to play. If I had a full-time gig, I'd own one.

Doc

Doc, I think you played mine. It cost less than half of what the handmade version cost.

windshieldbug · Post by **windshieldbug** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 2:12 pm

schlepporello wrote:Liquor stores are chock full of money.

... and tuba players are often chock full of liquor. I don't think we go there for the money!

Kevin Hendrick · Post by **Kevin Hendrick** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 4:19 pm

schlepporello wrote:
windshieldbug wrote:
schlepporello wrote:Liquor stores are chock full of money.
... and tuba players are often chock full of liquor. I don't think we go there for the money!
It's a terrible thing to get sidetracked so easily.

A mind is a terrible thing!

windshieldbug · Post by **windshieldbug** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 4:34 pm

Kevin Hendrick wrote:A mind is a terrible thing!

... and a waste is a terrible thing to mind!

Kevin Hendrick · Post by **Kevin Hendrick** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 4:38 pm

windshieldbug wrote:
Kevin Hendrick wrote:A mind is a terrible thing!
... and a waste is a terrible thing to mind!

Well, my waist certainly is!

Lew · Post by **Lew** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 4:49 pm

Chuck(G) wrote:"Short" 6/4 Martins.
Turn-of-the century BBb Keefers.
Old Distin horns.

I would agree with all of those. Those Martins were among the best BATs made for sound, playability and intonation.

I have only seen one Keefer BBb and have never played one. If it plays anything like my Distin BBb it would be a great player. Distin didn't make that many horns, but I think he only made professional grade instruments, although the Distins made in Williamsport were really made by Keefer with old man Distin providing his name.

I do have a Keefer eefer with a 20" bell that plays well, even though the valves are a bit worn. Here's a photo:

Kenneth Sturgeon · Post by **Kenneth Sturgeon** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 6:15 pm

MW32 CC, Alexander 163CC and Yamaha 861CC. All three can more than carry their own weight in any ensemble. Just different flavors of sound.

eupher61 · Post by **eupher61** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 9:45 pm

few things have the overall adaptability of a good Piggy CC. BBb's are OK, but a good CC...

TubeNet

Most underrated tubas

nope