Tuba Manufacturers

[Kayla]

Even this one?

[Rick Denney]

Todd S. "who thinks the above sentence was Rick's point" Malicoate

No, my point was that some tubas are respected by their owners as much as they are hated by some others. If a tuba really is bad, it's hard to find anyone prepared to defend it (except maybe Wade--he likes them all, plus he's mean). If a tuba has a narrow application, it may be hated by someone evaluating it for a different application, but that says more about them than about the tuba. That's why I don't like sweeping statements like "this rocks" or "that sucks". I want to hear what expectations were violated--that way I can evaluate the judgment on the basis of whether my expectations might be different.

I have not played many premium Besson tubas, and the good ones I've played were evaluated in a different context than their intended use. I don't hold that against Besson (unless I'm making a point).

Rick "who has heard wonderful performers make wonderful music on both Bessons and Yamahas" Denney

[Todd S. Malicoate]

No, my point was that some tubas are respected by their owners as much as they are hated by some others. If a tuba really is bad, it's hard to find anyone prepared to defend it (except maybe Wade--he likes them all, plus he's mean). If a tuba has a narrow application, it may be hated by someone evaluating it for a different application, but that says more about them than about the tuba. That's why I don't like sweeping statements like "this rocks" or "that sucks". I want to hear what expectations were violated--that way I can evaluate the judgment on the basis of whether my expectations might be different.

I just evaluate tubas on my own, according to my personal taste and agenda. I would seriously hesitate to take someone else's advice about why a particular model is good or bad, even if they give a valid reason, because how do I really know until I put the horn to my chops and play it? Besides, lots of the opinions expressed about brands on here come from people who haven't sampled nearly enough of them to have an informed opinion.

The same thing happens with people's opinions of cars...have a bad experience with one Honda Accord, and all Hondas suck. Say it out loud to everyone, and you run the risk of pissing off everyone who drives a Honda they like...plus, it makes you look arrogant to make such a sweeping statement based on only anecdotal experience.

Frankly, if you have a horn you like, why would you care if one guy out in tuba world doesn't like that one...for whatever reason?

Todd S. "who thinks Rick and I are actually quite close in opinion on this one" Malicoate

[Rick Denney]

Todd S. "who thinks Rick and I are actually quite close in opinion on this one" Malicoate

Rick "who thinks Todd should go back and see what I was responding to, and the method I used to make that response, to confirm that thought above" Denney

[Todd S. Malicoate]

Never mind...I'm obviously not intelligent enough to express my thoughts clearly or to understand yours. Amazing that in trying to agree with you, I can provoke more and more argument.

Todd S. "giving the heck up" Malicoate

[Charlie Goodman]

Never mind...I'm obviously not intelligent enough to express my thoughts clearly or to understand yours. Amazing that in trying to agree with you, I can provoke more and more argument.

Todd S. "giving the heck up" Malicoate

Grow up.

[Todd S. Malicoate]

My, my...aren't we clever?

Physician, heal thyself.

At least this time you didn't pick at me in a PM...congratulations!

[CTAYLOR]

As for the list, I'm just a bit mystified about why to include the Reynolds and Olds marks as tried-and-true old models. To me the little Olds (O99?) is OK if you want a compact horn to schlep, but I never met a Reynolds tuba that I liked.

I am in posession of a Reynolds 185 that belongs to one of my old instructors, which is the the E flat Contempora 4 valver with the detachable 20 inch bell, from 1958. The .687 bore. Bright silver plated. It is an amazing tuba, with an amazing sound. Its definately on my top 3 out of the E flats I've ever played. I love playing it. Reynolds did make some really good tubas back in the day. But I would agree, the little Olds99 is a good little tuba...for a student. I've never played one, but I played on the big Olds (equivilant to the old King 1240) and I sounded really good on it too. But the Reynolds stands out, as they should definately be on the list for a good refurbished used American horn.

[dentaltuba]

new to site ,neophyte tuba player. have ? for all you professionals,played sousaphone in high school, considered music major but went other direction.will only play for fun, any thoughts on Allora AA191,I think a stencil of miraphone191 I like the look but have not played, live in rural .area, not much chance of playing in organized group. THANKS,dentaltuba

[jmerring]

As regards M M Horns: I was told by one of their reps (at a workshop) that they have no showroom. All of their stock is in California and is shipped to Ft Lauderdale and forwarded as needed.

I hade a chance to play test one of their "Symphonic" BBb horns (4v). The workmanship was terribly slip-shod. The intonation seemed to be OK (with itself - tuner), but there was a bit of lipping needed for the 5th partial (or slide pulling/alternate fingering). All in all, not on par with a used Miraphone 186 (for example).