Anybody else prefer rotors?

[jsmn4vu]

You are not alone.

[dmeacham5]

*

[TheHatTuba]

I like rotors, but the straight vertical paddles kill my wrist. It'd be nice if more companies tried the slant rotor idea like the 4460.

[scottw]

Rotors. I played an Alex and I now have a Mirafone and both were terrific valves. I watch the others constantly pouring on valve oil, night after night. I don't even carry my bottle with me! I played a couple lousy Eb's when I started back when and played a Yamaha 321[valves absolutely sucked!]for a while, and there is no going back [except for a Civil War Eb I have to play ].

[Wyvern]

I think I am one of the few tuba players in the UK who prefers rotary valve. Generally more reliable than piston valves and needing only occasional oiling. I also like the shorter movement

[b.williams]

No. Pistons rule!!!!

[Mark E. Chachich]

My opinion.
Both of my contrabass tubas (my money horns) have rotors, my E flat has pistons. It is interesting (at least to me) that when I am playing a tuba I really do not notice what type of valve is in use, I notice if the tuba can get the job done. So, if you ask when I am not playing I would say rotors. When I am playing I would most likely say, why the question. I guess my answer is whatever horn (valve type, plating, no plating, raw brass, key or whatever else) works is real good!

peace,
Mark

[Heavy_Metal]

I have relatively short fingers, so the shorter stroke of a rotary tuba is a good match for me. Same for short-action pistons, such as those on my 20J.

[Lectron]

I really don't care.....
Like the short action, dislike the (usual) extra cylindrical section compared to pistons

[windshieldbug]

Prefer rotors, but play everything (including modern piston, Vienna, Berlin, Stölzel)

[eupher61]

makes no difference to me as long as the horn does the job well. I have no part in that.

[jeopardymaster]

All I care is how well it plays in tune, how comfortable is it to play, and whether I can sound good on it. In no particular order, but it has to score high on all 3. Miss any one of them and it's "never mind."

[GC]

Rotors. 5 of 6 horns I've owned have been piston, though . . .

[jamsav]

From a playing perspective , I don't think one has an advantage over another, although some of the throws on a piston horn , particularly the compensated ones can be pretty long - advantage rotors
From a practical standpoint , my horn gets cleaned and serviced once a year -my rotor valves are 100% maintenance free -good rotors win out ! Bad rotors are subject to catastrophic failure

[toobagrowl]

I don't have a preference - I like 'em both. My Eb tubas are all piston-valved, my CC is rotary, and my BBb's are a mix of piston and rotor.
I will say that my piston tubas require MUCH more cleaning/oiling/maintenance than my rotary tubas though