Piggy v. PT3

[circusboy]

I'd be grateful for a little compare-and-contrast on these two horns from people familiar with both of them.

I've had the opportunity to wrassle a couple of Piggies, but haven't yet encountered a PT3.

I've done a lot of reading in the archives and learned, for example, that the pre-PT version of that horn was designed to compete with the Pig back in the day.

Main areas of interest to me: timbre (e.g., fog vs. laser sound), heft of bottom end, ergonomics/size/weight, consistency, build quality, versatility, intonation, ease of playing, and speed of response. My playing goals include small jazz and chamber ensemble, solo, and amplified rock/funk.

Also interested in comparisons of the rotor and piston versions of the PT. (And what does "B&S" stand for, anyway?)

And if they're very similar functionally, is the extra ~25% cost of the PT (new or used) worth it?

Thanks.

[circusboy]

100 views and no comments whatsoever? Really?

Was it something I said?

Bump.

[Todd S. Malicoate]

I'd be grateful for a little compare-and-contrast on these two horns from people familiar with both of them.

That's a pretty small number of people, even among those who post and lurk here.

Advice is worth what you pay for it. Nothing will compare to visiting a tuba retailer and trying some out for yourself. Good luck!

[Wyvern]

B&S stands in German for Wind and Signal instruments (can't remember the exact German words).

Never played a Piggy so cannot comment, but for the PT-3 it is a good tuba which can provide a surprisingly large sound for its size. It has a open low register and for tone it is not laser, or fog, but somewhere in between. It has good response, quite acceptable intonation and like most B&S instruments is well made. I found the leadpipe a little low for me - designed to sit on the lap rather than on the chair, but otherwise the ergonomics were fine. For your indicated use it will do very well, but if you want to play standing it is not light. The Cerveny will no doubt be lighter.

[circusboy]

Nothing will compare to visiting a tuba retailer and trying some out for yourself. Good luck!

Yes, well that's part of the problem. Custom, in Detroit, is the only US dealer for B&S. They currently have two piston PT-3's and no rotor ones.

Dillon seems to be the main source for Cerveny. They have zero currently in stock.

I'm thinking that if I can get myself to Dillon, that the nearby Cerveny importer might be so kind as to bring over their demo (provided they still have it).

Even getting my butt to Detroit couldn't provide the opportunity to blow a PT-3 rotor version.

In any case, I don't see any possibility of blowing a PT3 and a Piggy side-by-side--hence my asking the members of this forum.

[bort]

I played a PT-3 in college, and it was a fine tuba. Very flexible, would do everything I needed it to do. By no means a "big" tuba, but a good all around instrument.

If budget were no option, I'd go for the PT-3. I just like 'em, and wouldn't want to play the "is this a good Piggy" game. There are some *great* Piggy's out there, and I've tried a few very good ones (really smooth, easy to play). But again, based on your patience and availability to try tubas, you might just want the PT-3. If it's wrong for you, then sell it and try again.

[Kevin Hendrick]

Nothing will compare to visiting a tuba retailer and trying some out for yourself. Good luck!

Yes, well that's part of the problem. Custom, in Detroit, is the only US dealer for B&S. They currently have two piston PT-3's and no rotor ones.

Dillon seems to be the main source for Cerveny. They have zero currently in stock.

I'm thinking that if I can get myself to Dillon, that the nearby Cerveny importer might be so kind as to bring over their demo (provided they still have it).

Even getting my butt to Detroit couldn't provide the opportunity to blow a PT-3 rotor version.

In any case, I don't see any possibility of blowing a PT3 and a Piggy side-by-side--hence my asking the members of this forum.

Just checked wwbw.com -- they have at least one Piggy in stock:

http://www.wwbw.com/Cerveny-CCB-603-5IP ... 06284.wwbw

Might want to PM Roger Lewis and see if you can set up a time to try one out. South Bend isn't all _that_ far from Detroit -- maybe you could try 'em both while you're in the area.

[csaevig]

I second that. Roger would be a great resource as I believe he once owned one.

[ArnoldGottlieb]

I've played both. I owned a Cerveny for a long time and I'm a big fan of them. I got rid of my piggy when I lived in Munich and got my PT20. While I was there, I had a chance to play 2 used PT-3's both rotary, both used and this was 10 years ago. In my opinion the B&S' played my old piggy into the ground. They had better construction, a fifth valve, and could really take some air, and really allowed me to play the lower register very easily. Overall the quality is just better and that's what you pay for.
YMMV
Peace.
ASG