POLL: Who is currently winning the "tuba wars"?

[Bob Kolada]

There's a "5/4 CC and F tuba war"?!?

[Wyvern]

The PT-6 might well be inconsistent (?), but are being used extensively by leading professionals around the world in both piston and rotary versions, while B&S F tuba (in their various forms) are most commonly used in German orchestras. It is actual use in the real world which matters, rather than marketing hype, or TubeNet chat, so B&S got my vote.

I would question the term "tuba wars" - it is more a matter of "market share". It would be interesting to know production figures for each manufacturer! (maybe someone going to Frankfurt music fair can make enquiries?)

[bisontuba]

Joe-
Winning the tuba wars? You left off 'the Chinese"....

mark 'It's time to Stop and smell the Moo Goo Gai Pan'......

[bort]

I'm not sure what I would call "winning," but the Miraphone tubas can be more easily seen "in the wild" than the B&S or MW tubas.

[MartyNeilan]

I would peg Mirafone as Ford, and Meinl Weston as GM, considering the large "umbrella" (now including B&S) that MW currently has.

Let's see some more...
Wilson - Volvo - heavy, solidly built, slightly "boring to some" from the driver's seat.

Hirsbrunner - Mercedes (NOT RR ) - expensive and well built

Kalison / G&P - Fiat / Alfa Romeo

Yamaha - Toyota (pre-recalls) - dependable but not super exciting

I would probably compare Nirschl more to Chrysler than B&S - always reinventing itself, numerous foreign partnerships.

[bort]

Nah, Yamaha is more like Honda -- they both make motorcycles, ATVs, water "toys"...

[MartyNeilan]

Nah, Yamaha is more like Honda -- they both make motorcycles, ATVs, water "toys"...

I was going to go with that, but Honda used to have more of an emphasis on "sportiness" than Toyota, hence with all the blandness comments being directed at certain Yamaha tubas, I figured the Corolla comparison was more valid. You do have a point about the diversity of products.

[Rick Denney]

Everyone has to have a Thor, it seems. But the Miraphone Bruckner is still too new to have developed any buzz.

The 2250 is a phantom to most of us, but the Petrushka is the real deal--and a really amazing piston F tuba. (And to Ian: Old news? Huh? The production versions are just now appearing, after a year of circulation of the prototype.)

The JBL has attracted some very high-end admirers, though I've not played one myself. But the PT-6P has had all the time it needs to either establish dominance--or not. The Thor has already spanked it in market perceptions, it seems to me.

So, I see a split decision at best. If the Bruckner is as good as the Petrushka, then that would be a pairing able to meet just about any needs. The JBL is reportedly in a class by itself, but overshadows its pair mate. We'll see if the 2250 can establish dominance the way the Thor has, and if it's better than the Petrushka, it will earn it.

I went with Miraphone; purely a sentimental vote.

Rick "glad to see Miraphone in the game" Denney

[JHardisk]

I believe there are more professional tubists playing PT6's than Thors right now. And, B&S F tubas have long been the industry standard.

I went with the hybrid approach. MW 6450 and JBL F tuba. The 6450 has a far bigger sound than a Thor, yet remains possibly more nimble. Hands down, the best 6/4 tuba being made today IMHO. And yes, I've played a couple yamayorks.

The JBL is a real dream to play. It's sweet, vibrant, and could slice one's head off if called for. B&s seems to have fixed a lot if the poor areas of the pt10 with this model.

My opinion of meinl F tubas is that they are just too aggressive. The sound is more directional, and lacks that "pretty" quality. Very easy to play, but just a little overbearing. I'm looking forward to playing the new rotary horn they're producing now. I hope they are getting away from the kodiak design.

Ymmv, of course.

[BAtlas]

I believe there are more professional tubists playing PT6's than Thors right now. And, B&S F tubas have long been the industry standard.

I found this poll interesting in that it specifically picks on the PT6-P. AS a teacher once said to me, "If you get a PT6, get the rotor model. Which, looking back I'd look deeper into it versus the Gronitz PCK I am currently playing (Although I do love both horns).

The B&S Symphonie models from the USSR days are some of my favorite F tubas (Although arguably I play mostly Eb Besson 983 nowadays).

So I voted...but arguably I shouldn't because I'm not voting on the two specific tubas mentioned.