I need advice from anyone who can help me!
Want to buy a tuba 6 / 4 CC (or 5 / 4 large) easy to play both bass or treble that has very sound and that it is large and dark, very dark!
I'm in doubt between PCK, 1293, PT-6P, PT-7P, VMI Neptune, Thor, 2165 ... all ...
I have $ 13,000 to buy a tuba with case.
bloke wrote:' any chance of making an affordable-to-you trip to the U.S. to try out all of these models?
You will learn nothing here that will be of use to you regarding your own needs.
^ This.
It would be VERY beneficial to you to try out each of these horns before you make a decision. Do not buy a horn just because a certain person plays it. The horn does NOT make the player.
All of the horns you mentioned have a very DARK sound. Each horn also has its quirks and flaws. Find what horn works best for YOU before you think about handing the cash in on the spot.
It is very hard for me to go to America to try them, will be a musician friend of mine not just buy the tuba p and bring me to Brazil!
I really need your help!
My main doubts are between PCK, 1293, PT and PT-6P-7P.
I need serious and dark sound!
A 5/4 and a 6/4 are *very* different from each other. Make sure you need something *huge* before you get a 6/4.
At least in America, our block for travelling is the money. If you've got $13k to spend, use $1k or $2k even on a trip here to try tubas, and still spend $11k on the tuba. You can definitely make that work. That is, *if* the money is the issue.
Indeed. If you're going to spend that much on a tuba, you would be better served to come to the USA and spend a few days trying tubas out. For example, Dillon Music and Baltimore Brass are relatively close to each other, and you could spend a day at each flying in and out of the same airport. Email ahead and tell them your situation, your ensemble, your repertoire, your expectations as to what you want the tuba to do, your budget, and be frank about your abilities, good and bad, as a player, and they will have some reasonable recommendations.
Custom Music has a hotel package for serious buyers.
Vince at Tuba Exchange has a return policy, but it's still better to go look.
Ferguson Music/Hornguys on the West Coast are Alex dealers, which, of course, are legendary for their dark tone. But is that really the tone you want, or is it that you need good foundation and support for the ensemble for a particular genre of music?
If you have to purchase sight unseen, Roger Lewis at WWBW (don't talk to anybody else there) is about the best there is at picking a tuba for a person.
As far as a dark tone, there are some misconceptions about what actually contributes to tone. Read Rick Denney's page on tuba tone comparisons.
DO NOT get hung up on getting a particular brand or model. There are many good tubas out there. Sometimes the one a person may have passed over initially will actually be a better tuba for that person and the application.
Finally, don't get more tuba than you need. You may think you need a large 5/4 or 6/4, but often times a large 4/4, like a Miraphone 188, will do well, depending on the size and makeup of the ensemble and the hall. A friend of mine who used to anchor a regional symphony did it all with a Conn 5XJ.
Cleverson, Explain where you will be playing the tuba (orchestra, band, etc?) and what for? Why are you looking for dark sound? That may help people advise...
...However, note that the sound is a combination of the player, mouthpiece and tuba - so what works for one person, will not necessarily for another. For example, some tubas that others rave about leave me entirely unimpressed - while the B&S Neptune is perfect for me (provides my ideal sound), others I know do not like.
Only you can decide what works FOR YOU by trying yourself!
But a thought - I see you play a 2145. If you like the Meinl-Weston sound and feel, then maybe the 2165 would be the one to go for if you really cannot try before buying?
MikeMason wrote:just get a thor and be done with it
Interesting you say that. I almost mentioned the Thor in my post above as a tuba that others rave about that does nothing for me. Mind you, that is not surprising, as it is very different in tone from the Neptune I love.
I think our friend will need to define better what he means by 'dark' tone. That is a very imprecise description.
I just sell my 2145S FE MW MW and my 45s because I was sounding very light and bright with my tuba in DC and my tuba in F.
I do free lancing in orchestras, I play in a brass band and quintet, eventually doing some solos with piano.
I opted to buy a 2250 MW to leave a sound nor YCB-822 or so German tuba in F.
For tuba DC I sound like a very deep, even dark.
Some sent me PM saying that the PCK and Thor has sound too bright.
Others advised me to Neptune and the RM-50.
The MW-50 and HB 2165 have told me that's not what I seek!
PT-6 and 1293 were not specified.
Continue ... are giving me great ideas ...
Cleverson my friend, all the Gronitz PCK, Thor and PT-6P all have very bright sound but MW 2165 has dark sound. Maybe other gentlemen agree who can confirm
Leto Cruise
Professional Tubist/Actor
YamaYork CC
MRP F
