Difference between VMI 103 and B&S PT-1 BBb tuba?

Chen · Post by **Chen** » Mon Nov 29, 2004 11:44 pm

Is there any difference bwteen the two other than the name? I know that VMI makes both, and that they looks very similar.

Leland · Post by **Leland** » Mon Nov 29, 2004 11:56 pm

Supposedly, Bob Tucci play-tests the B&S tubas before they leave the factory.

Other than that, I can't think of any substantial difference besides the name (and subsequent Custom Music monopolistic markup).

CJ Krause · Post by **CJ Krause** » Tue Nov 30, 2004 4:12 am

Tortuba · Post by **Tortuba** » Tue Nov 30, 2004 11:23 am

I have a Sonora brand 4vr horn, which Bob Tucci confirmed to be a PT1 stencil, manufactured in East Germany in 1986, based on the serial number. The bell is 16.5 inches.

ArnoldGottlieb · Post by **ArnoldGottlieb** » Tue Nov 30, 2004 11:34 am

Hey Leland, don't let your own lack of information imply negative things about Mr. Tucci. The word "supposedly" in italics does just that. Although I can't answer the initial question regarding the differences between these horns, I can tell you this; Mr. Tucci is very involved in design and indeed play tests all of the horns. As far as play testing, I've seen his records(with my own eyes, no second or third hand information here). As far as the horns being the same, they may or may not be, the VMI website only showed a difference in height, and that was between a rotary and piston model. I proudly own both a B&S Perantucci horn and an older VMI horn. There are things on the VMI horn (although it plays great) that I think Mr. Tucci would have improved before it became a production model. The reason I state this of course is that Mr. Tucci is a player and that a horn can't be chosen by dimensions or pictures, and I'm guessing there's more to the PT1 than meets the eye. So, as usual, I would recommend playing them.

Leland · Post by **Leland** » Tue Nov 30, 2004 5:28 pm

ArnoldGottlieb wrote:Hey Leland, don't let your own lack of information imply negative things about Mr. Tucci. The word "supposedly" in italics does just that.

I didn't intend anything negative, but I did intend to relay that I don't have all the information. I've been going off of what I've been told before.

In reading the other responses, I see that there are some more differences than I knew of.

ArnoldGottlieb · Post by **ArnoldGottlieb** » Wed Dec 01, 2004 1:58 am

It did seem negative to me, however a lot of things are not always as they seem. I keep feeling a prejudice against B&S perantucci stuff, which I believe comes from the mark up in the USA. This mark up is not so high all of a sudden with the Euro so strong right now. But, regardless of all that I don't see Mr. Tucci as a company, I see him as a great teacher, great tuba player and all around great human being. I havn't had enough lessons to call myself his student yet, but I hope to one day. When people talk about what he "supposedly" does it really gets me angry because I've seen the guy work, and it seems like he has 2 full time jobs between the store and the opera, and yet still has time to teach, or let the band come over and hang out at his store for a whole day. I hope you meet the guy one day, or even better take a lesson, you'll never forget it.

Leland · Post by **Leland** » Wed Dec 01, 2004 6:38 pm

ArnoldGottlieb wrote: I keep feeling a prejudice against B&S perantucci stuff, which I believe comes from the mark up in the USA.

If there's any prejudice from me, it's not directed towards B&S or Mr. Tucci -- it's towards Custom Music, who seems to take advantage of their Exclusive Distributor position and jacks up the prices higher than they should be.

But, that's another conversation entirely...

If it matters, I've liked every B&S/VMI tuba I've tried, and I own a VMI 3302 myself.

ArnoldGottlieb · Post by **ArnoldGottlieb** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 3:22 am

Then we are cool. With the high Euro, it's not so great anymore, but I bought my PT20P in munich at the end of 1999, and saved a bunch of money (but at that point, I lived in Germany). As far as pricing, I don't plan to buy another CC tuba any time soon, maybe not for the rest of my life, so I'm totally unaware of what they cost in the USA. The current prices in Germany can be found at http://www.perantucci.com Peace. ASG