Hi to all!
A few days ago I purchased a used (near mint condition) B&S "Neptune"! This is my first professional (and) CC tuba (before I played a YBB-641)... I love it!
On the bell is engraved "Mel Culbertson 'B&S-Neptune'".
Well, on the ja-musik website http://www.ja-musik.com/tuba/cctuba.php this model is called 4098II, but I often read on the web "4098GI Neptune". What's the difference?
Differences between B&S 'Neptune' 4098II and 4098GI
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Pozzie
- bugler
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Differences between B&S 'Neptune' 4098II and 4098GI
B&S "Mel Culbertson - Neptune" CC
B&S 5100W (PT-16) F
Jupiter BBb 482L
B&S 5100W (PT-16) F
Jupiter BBb 482L
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Wyvern
- Wessex Tubas
- Posts: 5033
- Joined: Fri Sep 01, 2006 7:00 pm
- Location: Hampshire, England when not travelling around the world on Wessex business
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Re: Differences between B&S 'Neptune' 4098II and 4098GI
Congratulations on your purchase of a really fantastic tuba - I hope you enjoy as much as several other Neptune owners on this forum! 
I really cannot tell you what the difference would be between a 4098II and 4098GI Neptune, but would point out that they used to be sold under the VMI brand (like this one currently for sale viewtopic.php?f=4&t=32038" target="_blank ), with newer ones marked B&S so maybe that might explain the two model numbers?
I have had the chance to make a side comparison of my 3 year old B&S Neptune with a friend's 1990's vintage VMI Neptune and we could not find any design differences beyond the (apparently unnecessary) addition of water keys to the 3rd and 4th valve slides on the newer model. Playing wise they seemed indistinguishable in response and tone.
If you have just come from BBb tuba, do you know that the Neptune plays surprisingly well as a virtual BBb by switching over the 5th valve rotor connection to the other side and adjusting the slides? Maybe useful to you for gigs until you get confident at playing in CC?
I hope you receive as many compliments on the sound (and appearance) of your Neptune as I do mine!
I really cannot tell you what the difference would be between a 4098II and 4098GI Neptune, but would point out that they used to be sold under the VMI brand (like this one currently for sale viewtopic.php?f=4&t=32038" target="_blank ), with newer ones marked B&S so maybe that might explain the two model numbers?
I have had the chance to make a side comparison of my 3 year old B&S Neptune with a friend's 1990's vintage VMI Neptune and we could not find any design differences beyond the (apparently unnecessary) addition of water keys to the 3rd and 4th valve slides on the newer model. Playing wise they seemed indistinguishable in response and tone.
If you have just come from BBb tuba, do you know that the Neptune plays surprisingly well as a virtual BBb by switching over the 5th valve rotor connection to the other side and adjusting the slides? Maybe useful to you for gigs until you get confident at playing in CC?
I hope you receive as many compliments on the sound (and appearance) of your Neptune as I do mine!
-
Pozzie
- bugler
- Posts: 56
- Joined: Wed Jun 04, 2008 7:00 am
- Location: Rome, Italy
Re: Differences between B&S 'Neptune' 4098II and 4098GI
Thanks Neptune for the answer... I was sure you would replied me!
My horn have not water keys to the 3rd and 4th valve slides...
I know that the Neptune plays as a BBb tuba, but I still haven't played it in BBb mode... I'm very courious! However I'll play mainly this horn in CC. I'm trying to learn the new fingering... Mainly I've difficulties in the lower register to memorize the fingering with 5th valve... but are only 3 days that I've the horn!
Next week I'll also purchase the F-tuba (an used B&S 3100/W)... I hope that I'll get real gratification from this equipment!
My horn have not water keys to the 3rd and 4th valve slides...
I know that the Neptune plays as a BBb tuba, but I still haven't played it in BBb mode... I'm very courious! However I'll play mainly this horn in CC. I'm trying to learn the new fingering... Mainly I've difficulties in the lower register to memorize the fingering with 5th valve... but are only 3 days that I've the horn!
Next week I'll also purchase the F-tuba (an used B&S 3100/W)... I hope that I'll get real gratification from this equipment!
B&S "Mel Culbertson - Neptune" CC
B&S 5100W (PT-16) F
Jupiter BBb 482L
B&S 5100W (PT-16) F
Jupiter BBb 482L