Big tubas: Neptune

[TUBAD83]

Hello again,

Can anyone tell me a little bit about the B&S Neptune CC tuba? I've read that a lot of people like it a lot. I haven't read any con's outsdie of it's huge size if one's looking for an all around horn. Can anyone give me some details about how it plays? Maybe what it compairs too with other models/brands? And also what they tipically go for new? Used? I can't find a price list for the B&S horns period.

Thanks a lot in advance!

I will put it this way--if you are asking about a price list for a horn like this, you can't afford it friend. Last time I checked, a Neptune will set ya back at least $18,000 new.

[Z-Tuba Dude]

Last time I checked, a Neptune will set ya back at least $18,000 new.

Really? Wow! Last time I looked it was about $9000!
I guess I need to look more often!

[Wyvern]

The Neptune is compatible in size to a M-W 2165 and is in my opinion the best playing 6/4 rotary CC (apologies to Rudy owners!).

It has a wonderful broad tone and responds easily, most likely due to it sharing the same valve set as the smaller PT-6 and PT-20 giving it a modest valve bore of around 0.75 inch, unlike the huge bores found on German Kaiser tubas which can really suck the air (which is why I prefer the Neptune to a Rudy 5/4!).

You can read a lot more about Neptune's at viewtopic.php?f=2&t=30085

The tuba does have its detractors, but from what I hear playing quality of the Neptune can vary quite a bit, so I can only guess they have been unfortunate enough to have tried a bad one?

For price, in Europe it is 14,810 Euros which is over $21k, but like most things, a lot cheaper in the US?

[jeopardymaster]

I'm not a fan of the 4 piston + 1 rotor horn but got a serious jag for the rotary model horn 11 years ago when I visited WWBW to pick out my Eb. I couldn't justify buying both horns, particularly given the then-steep price of the Neptune (can't recall now, but it was a lot). But when one popped up on eBay a few years ago with a low buy-now price I took a "flyer" --- and am extremely happy with the horn. Although I am a bit more secure with my Gnagey and 184, I get more compliments playing the Neptune. It has tremendous presence, decent intonation (it's easy to blow it sharp on notes above the staff, and 3rd partial is a tad high). But it has great mid-range response and better high-range response than even my 184. Low range is not as good as the Gnagey, but it's still plenty good. The Gnagey is simply an aberration in that regard.

Once in a while you can find a used Neptune for under $10K, maybe under $8K. If it's in good shape it's likely going to work well for most any medium to large ensemble setting. Just stay away from the piston version.

[jeopardymaster]

Oh - one more thing, to Neptune's (Jonathan's) point: stand a Neptune and a Rudy 5/4 side by side and you'll be struck by the strong similarity. The bugle dimensions are nearly identical. But the Neptune has graduated bore (.748 to .827 or so), and I don't think I've ever seen a Rudy 5/4 that did. That makes a huge difference, in my opinion, at least; I too find it much more playable than the Rudy.

[Wyvern]

I get more compliments playing the Neptune.

Me too! I have never played any other tuba which gets so many compliments*!

*including from string and woodwind players

[Alex C]

The Neptune rotary has some intonation issues. Most commonly, the C's tend to be too far apart, an unfortunate tendancy. There are others which I am less familiar with but my friends who have played the horn find ways of deal with the intonation. It's like an Alexander in that regard.

I am not a fan of the Neptune piston either. The ergonomics make it unfriendly for me.

[Wyvern]

The Neptune rotary has some intonation issues. Most commonly, the C's tend to be too far apart

Really!!! Not against my tuner.

The D centre of bass stave/staff can be a little sharp played with 1, but is easily corrected by using 4 instead. Intonation of some notes above the stave/staff can be a bit difficult, but usually I would pull out my F tuba to play such music anyway.

I have used my Neptune in high standard concert band this last two years sitting beside a professional tubist playing his Besson 982 EEb and there have never been any tuning issues between us. In fact when I used a different tuba, he commented on how its intonation was not as good as the Neptune, saying "playing that, you are usually spot on!"

[jeopardymaster]

My experience doesn't match with Alex's either; only intonation issues I've had are set forth above. Maybe he played a lemon (always a possibility) or, I dunno --- Jonathan, I have experience only with the one leadpipe - do you get any significant pitch variations one against the other?

[Wyvern]

Jonathan, I have experience only with the one leadpipe - do you get any significant pitch variations one against the other?

I have not found changing the leadpipes makes any noticeable difference to the pitch. I have played the Neptune with the band using both pipes and had no intonation problems with either. The larger pipe just broadens the tone a bit.