To go along withthe "out-of-tune tuba" thread:
Why do you different tubas of the same model from the same manufacturer play with different intonation characteristics?
My friends in the tuba design business have given my their opinions, I have my own, but I'd be interested in reading what others think.
inconsistent tubas
- Alex C
- pro musician

- Posts: 2225
- Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2004 10:34 am
- Location: Cybertexas
inconsistent tubas
City Intonation Inspector - Dallas Texas
"Holding the Bordognian Fabric of the Universe together through better pitch, one note at a time."
Practicing results in increased atmospheric CO2 thus causing global warming.
"Holding the Bordognian Fabric of the Universe together through better pitch, one note at a time."
Practicing results in increased atmospheric CO2 thus causing global warming.
- windshieldbug
- Once got the "hand" as a cue

- Posts: 11516
- Joined: Tue Mar 01, 2005 4:41 pm
- Location: 8vb
Re: inconsistent tubas
I would hazard that inconsistency is the inability (with current construction techniques) to make the bore completely uniform at joints and other connections, thus moving ("shading") nodes of the standing waves that are generated when you play.
Some horns are built with tubing that internally butt-joints well, while others have gaps in critical places.
Some horns are built with tubing that internally butt-joints well, while others have gaps in critical places.
Instead of talking to your plants, if you yelled at them would they still grow, but only to be troubled and insecure?
- sloan
- On Ice

- Posts: 1827
- Joined: Thu Mar 18, 2004 10:34 pm
- Location: Nutley, NJ
Re: inconsistent tubas
Inconsistent attention to detail - esp. on the inside where "no one can see it".Alex C wrote:To go along withthe "out-of-tune tuba" thread:
Why do you different tubas of the same model from the same manufacturer play with different intonation characteristics?
My friends in the tuba design business have given my their opinions, I have my own, but I'd be interested in reading what others think.
Nothing that disassembly and a good set of files won't fix (followed by *correct* re-assembly).
Kenneth Sloan
- markaustinhowle
- bugler

- Posts: 93
- Joined: Mon Aug 21, 2006 9:23 pm
Re: inconsistent tubas
I don't know how much this would specifically affect intonation, and some of this might have already been partially suggested above:
The amount of hammering vs. annealing or tempering that is done to the medal as the instrument is formed and constructed has a great deal to do with how dead or alive sections of it are. Particularly important are places along the pipe such as at nodes and/or anti nodes, and on the entire bell. I believe this can greatly affect how the instrument plays, as well as its efficiency and response on specific notes. This can affect its overall tone quality and dynamic range as well. My guess is that if it can affect all these facets of a tuba, then it might also affect intonation as well.
The amount of hammering vs. annealing or tempering that is done to the medal as the instrument is formed and constructed has a great deal to do with how dead or alive sections of it are. Particularly important are places along the pipe such as at nodes and/or anti nodes, and on the entire bell. I believe this can greatly affect how the instrument plays, as well as its efficiency and response on specific notes. This can affect its overall tone quality and dynamic range as well. My guess is that if it can affect all these facets of a tuba, then it might also affect intonation as well.
York 4/4 CC (4+1) for sale
York Eb Monster (4+1)
Custom F six valve (for sale)
Conn BBb (front action 4 valve) for sale
Conn Eb (on hold)
York 4/4 BBb (4 valve)(for sale)
King Eb Helicon (4 valve) (sold)
Custom 6/4 CC Nirschl/Miraphone/Conn
York Eb Monster (4+1)
Custom F six valve (for sale)
Conn BBb (front action 4 valve) for sale
Conn Eb (on hold)
York 4/4 BBb (4 valve)(for sale)
King Eb Helicon (4 valve) (sold)
Custom 6/4 CC Nirschl/Miraphone/Conn
-
kingconn
- bugler

- Posts: 107
- Joined: Sun Dec 19, 2004 10:20 am
- Location: winston salem n.c.
Re: inconsistent tubas
A friend of mine was shopping for a tuba several years ago and we played 2 miraphone 186 6valve CC"s that were 1 serial number apart. The first one was prolly the best one I had ever played and the second was by far the worst. I imagine there must have been a big blob of pitch or something left in it.