St. Petersburg 209N

[TYA]

Does anyone know how big this tuba is on a scale with a Willson 3050? Thank you

[bort]

The St. Pete is smaller.

[TYA]

Is their a huge difference in size or just a small one?

[Douglas]

The 209N is way smaller. The 3050 would pretty much make any 4/4 tuba look tiny.

[TYA]

How is the 209N as an overall tuba?

[bort]

I've always found the St. Pete tubas to be decent, especially the newer ones.

They are not great, but not terrible. Never my first choice, but not the last either. But for me, bottom 1/3. For the cash, I'd rather save up and/or wait for a used Miraphone 186 or 188 to come along. But that's just me.

[csaevig]

I must say that I have never been a huge fan of St. Petes. However, on a trip to NC a few months back, I stopped by the tuba exchange to meet Vince and try out a couple of the F tubas. While there, I had a chance to play the 209N and was very impressed. The valves were smooth, intonation was better than any other tuba I've played in that price range, and the low range was incredible. My only complaints, the higher range was a little tough to center and it still had that (to me, undesirable) St. Pete sound.

[GC]

I tried one out back in April. It's a small horn, and has a decent but small sound. Intonation was quite good. Construction seemed solid, valves were smooth. Low register was easier than the high. It's not at all a bad horn, but I like horns with a big sound, so I gave it a pass. Quality of construction wasn't an issue; it seemed to be well-built.

[tubaforce]

I find the BBb 202's to be great sounding horns, and I love their sound! More like a big throated Miraphone! At under 4 grand with case, I have recommended these to students many times in the past, especially if they just had to have rotors! I have yet to try a 209, but if you want to try one, I'd call TE and see about a test drive! They also have the 186 "Miraclones", and I have tried several of those, with surprisingly positive outcome! Al.