Best all around tuba

[Peach]

I feel it is my duty as a British citizen to put in a vote for the B&H Eb!

If you like them at all they can do well at everything.
Solo: Check
Quintet/10piece: Check
Wind/Brass Band: Check
Small Orchestra: Check
Regular-Bass-Tuba-parts-in-biggest-Orchestras: Check

Can't think of a horn that does all that better.

The only time you might want a bit more horn is in a big orchestra playing low, loud parts.
Having said that I'm always dumbfounded by the size and weight of noise made by these tubas in the hands of a good player.

[jeopardymaster]

I suggest you contact Sam Gnagey about his remanufactured King/York CCs. One was listed in the For Sale section just recently - I don't believe it has sold yet. They are heavy, heavy horns, but play incredibly well, with an amazing low register. In my opinion, they are better than a lot of horns available at twice to thrice the price.

[jeopardymaster]

Update - the "Gnageyphone" mentioned above is still posted as for sale. That $3500 188 looks mighty tasty too. I wish I had the money to spend on it. I have always coveted that model, but the Gnagey horn occupies the same broad niche, valve style notwithstanding.

[brianf]

There have been all kinds of answers but all hardware related. The answer is easy:

The Best all around Tuba should be the tuba in your head - your concept of sound, the software. You can have the best horn in the world but it will sound like crap if you have no conception of sound!

[iiipopes]

For me, even though I love my Besson, and always get heads turning with the 38K, my "all round" horn is my 1971 BBb 186 with the detachable retrofit St Pete (wider throat = mellower tone than stock) bell. It responds well to different mouthpieces depending on how you want to shade your tone; the bows are a tad smaller than current production; and the leadpipe is a tad smaller diameter at the receiver than current production (search the threads for all the comments as to why this is desireable, including Bloke commenting on Gronitz, the 1291/1292 mods, the M-W 45 mods, etc.)

[Alex C]

I think the best option for you would be a 4/4 CC. The best 4/4 CC i've ever played is the wn-15.

I second that!

The "York copy" Perantucci is good too.
The 1291/2 will also fit the category.
Who can argue with the 981/2/3 as a possibility?
No BAT fits your description. I love a fine York copy but you have to stretch the listener's imagination to call it versitle.

[iiipopes]

And if I were truly in the market for a 4/4 CC, the WN15/Besson 995 would be on my short list.

[Nick Pierce]

The various versions of the PT-6 seem to be rather popular right now, possibly as popular as the Thor. Anyone have better information on it then that?

[Wyvern]

The various versions of the PT-6 seem to be rather popular right now, possibly as popular as the Thor. Anyone have better information on it then that?

The PT-6 is a good tuba, but being a large 5/4 surely too big to be considered an all around tuba?

[THE TUBA]

It depends on your definition of all-around. I would guess that most people that own a "mini-BAT" like the PT-6 or THOR also have access to another tuba (or are planing to have access to another tuba) in their axe closet. I feel like I can use my Thor for most situations, but I know I can pull out the F if I need to downsize. If I could only have one tuba, I would most likely get something a little smaller.

.02

[KevinBock]

I have to plead the case for the Besson 983. It is a larger bell and bore Eb tuba. I have used it in big settings for orchestra, wind band, solo tunes, brass band, chamber group, and jazz. And I was also luck enough to track one down for $5500. As an all around horn, I don't think you can find many really great C's for a price like that unless it is used. While the miraphones are indeed versatile horns, I think they are "timbre-ally" challenged when it comes to high and graceful playing. I guess one other question would be, what type of music takes up more of your "all around tuba" playing time? Is it wind band and orchestra above solo and quintet? I think that is where the meat of the decision is, more large ensemble means look for a nimble C tuba, more quintet and solo stuff means a beefy Bass Tuba.

[iiipopes]

...I think [Miraphones] are "timbre-ally" challenged when it comes to high and graceful playing.

You haven't heard a 186 with a PT34 mouthpiece. That will change your mind. Mine is due in from Jeff Rideout any day now. He let me have the one out of the display case.

[Steve Inman]

Every Miraphone 1292 I've played (a few) seemed effortless in the upper register (nimble, agile), had a nice core to the sound, and seemed to be a nice blend of "German" and "American" tonal qualities. That one would be at the top of my "one tuba" list. A Conn 52J would be up there also (my 56J is a bit broad sounding to my tastes for quintet). It's hard to go wrong with a Miraphone 188 or 186 either. An excellent, but slightly smaller choice is the MW 2145. If you can find the 3/4 Rudy Meinl CC, that's also a very good option. In the bass tuba category, I'd have to suggest a Besson 981 (Fletcher model), as the larger bell helps "boost" this Eb into the "all around" capable category, IMO.

I would vote for a 4/4-ish CC over a big Eb.

Cheers,

[Wyvern]

I'd have to suggest a Besson 981 (Fletcher model), as the larger bell helps "boost" this Eb into the "all around" capable category, IMO.

Most British players would entirely agree with you. I only parted with my 981 because the ergonomics of top valves were giving me shoulder pains.

I would vote for a 4/4-ish CC over a big Eb.

Depends on the nature of the majority of the playing, but in my experience, once used to playing a CC, an Eb will never have quite that open low register

[bort]

My M-W 5450 "Thor" tuba...

Where have I been? I did not know you had a Thor now. When I tried one, I loved the way it played...

...but it was very uncomfortable for me to hold my right hand at that angle (though admittedly still better than on a Willson 3050).

[ArnoldGottlieb]

As the price of this model is thousands less than several other models that are clearly its inferior, even a complete rebuild of the valveset (though damned inconvenient) would still define this model as a bargain.

But on the other side, it's also MORE expensive than several better horns.



I also predict that a horn coming out in the next year-ish will be even better than any other tuba listed here.

I don't know Bob, lot's of horns promise things......
The thor I played was great except the valve section needed something but I'm not sure what. I've played about 200 or so gigs this year on my PT20 which I would vote for as best all around tuba, but if I had a tweaked Thor I think I'd be finished tuba shopping. It's the first horn that's made me rethink my choice.
Peace.
Arnold

[highsierra]

I played a Besson 981 (large Eb) for about 15 years of my orchestra career. I loved that tuba for it's sound and response. I had to work hard to produce the volume needed below the sfaff that a lot of the literature required. It was a stellar quintet tuba and worked well when played in a section. I moved to a 4/4 C tuba about five years ago and I've got to say that it was a great move. I can use my 4/4 Rudy (4345 rotary) for everything as it is very nimble and has great response in all ranges. It is my opinion that a 4/4 C tuba would be a superb all around instrument when you are fluid in all registers. I pull out my F tuba when that tool is needed or the literature calls for it. It is a largish F tuba and it is great for most literature but it doesn't put out like a C tuba in the low register. I have tooted on many large F and Eb tubas but in my opinion, that all come up short in the low end for a lot of the literature I find on my stand. So, we are back to the same question. What is the best all around tuba? My vote if for the 4/4 C tuba. I am blessed to have a wonderful C and great F tuba and it is nice to have a choice when looking over the upcoming literature. If I had to make a coice and have one tuba it would be without question, my 4/4 Rudy!

There are a lot of great tubas for sale now as the new wave of designer instruments has hit the market. I would take a look at that 4/4 Nirschl in the for sale section!!

FWIW

Russ Dickman

[eupher61]

a GOOD Piggy or Rudy 3/4.

[Mwtuba32]

MW 2145, Cerveny Piggy,PT-4 or 20, miraphone 188, miraphone 186 Kalison ds...in that order. Just my opinion based on what I have played. The piggy and the pt-4 sound most like large bass tubas with contrabass tuba low registers in my opinion. It just comes down to which one fits you

[The Jackson]

I played on a Yamaha YCB-661 for about 3 months, and that one was an awesome tuba and a great all-around horn. It fit very well in a quintet, wind ensemble and a medium-sized orchestra and also was very nice for solo playing.

I now play on its smaller cousin the 621. Believe it or not, this horn is very versatile and supports the orchestra (with a world-class trombone and horn section).