Thoughts on the B&S Neptune Rotary Model

[redstripe2]

I was wondering what you guys thought about the B&S Neptune Rotary Valve Model

[jimgray]

I owned one.
Great horns! Very easy to play - super efficient for such a big instrument.
In the end, I sold it and would not buy another. Just wasn't quite the sound in my head - kindof an odd mix of German and American.

The way I see it: if you want a big German sound, get a Fafner or a Rudy 5/4 or a big Alex.

Try it, though-
They can be had on the cheap sometimes and YMMV...
They are bigger and brighter than a pt-6 (r), and some may like that.

Jim

[Cameron Gates]

kindof an odd mix of German and American.

The way I see it: if you want a big German sound, get a Fafner or a Rudy 5/4 or a big Alex.

Try it, though-
They can be had on the cheap sometimes and YMMV...
They are bigger and brighter than a pt-6 (r), and some may like that.

Jim

Jim nailed it IMO.

I have played a grand total of 2 of these things. One was a very decent instrument, one was a bit of a head scratcher. Both played far smaller and BRIGHTER than what I would expect of an instrument of that size. A 5/4 Rudi, although a bit smaller to the eye, will put a much better bottom on an ensemble. Never played a PT6 in a group, can't comment.

Seems to me all the Neptune lovers are hearing with their eyes, not their ears. Also seems to me that there are cheaper and easier to transport models of tubas if one is needing a brightish sound.

[Sam Gnagey]

Had both a Rudy 5/4 and a Neptune at the same time. Let the Neptune go....just not as efficient and in tune as the Rudy. Eventually sold the Rudy too; for last ten+ years using my 4/4 Gnagey CC for most playing.

[Cameron Gates]

Seems to me all the Neptune lovers are hearing with their eyes, not their ears. .

Listen to Ed Jones play with the Ft worth symphony, and then come back and repeat that statement, ok?

Easy there Chief, ok?

I am sure he sounds great. I'm just expressing an opinion based on my limited experience with these horns. I know there are at least 10,000 tuba players alive today with differing opinions (most of them more valid) than mine. That is why I used the "IMO".

Again, I'm sure he sounds wonderful. Just not the horn for me. Remember, without opinions Tubenet would have tumbleweeds.

[Mark Horne]

I own a Neptune and I've been surprised that they are not more prevalent and appear to be inexpensive on the secondary market. Aside from the fact that they are big and heavy, they are quite versatile horns and are surprisingly nimble in the high range and well behaved in quiet passages.

Mechanically, the wrap is virtually identical to my Alexander 163, and I detect a lot of similarities in the sound, feel, and intonation - overall I would say that the Neptune is a "friendlier" horn to play - the sound is a bit more resonant in the low end; the feel is more even throughout the range; and the intonation is a little better behaved (I use the smaller of the two available leadpipes - I understand that the larger pipe gives more of the "American" BAT quality).

For a player who prefers rotors and needs the heft of a 6/4, but doesn't want to feel like they are bringing a musical sledge hammer to every gig should look into trying a Neptune.

[Bob Kolada]

I agree with the "sounds somewhat smaller than one would would think" comments, but I like these- they're very responsive and easy playing.

[toobagrowl]

I've only played on one of these at the WW&BW booth many years ago. I kinda liked it, though, it was too big for anything I needed. It is one of the prettiest modern tubas made - the overall shape (like a 6/4 version of the PT-6) is very nice, but the detailing on the rotor paddles and the engraving on the bell really caught my eye. It's one of the few big 6/4 tubas that I felt "at home" with.
I liked the response - it had maybe just a bit more resistance than most other modern 6/4 tubas - not too free and not too stuffy, maybe not quite as "quick" a response as some of the air-hogs.
It was somewhat hard to gauge sound and intonation in the booth with other tuba players tooting on other tubas. But from what I could hear, the sound was very thick and 'chocolately' and smooth. Again, this was just from my experience with one of these.
I'd really like to hear/experience more with the Neptune to get a better opinion.

[jeopardymaster]

I did a pretty quick scan and saw no one else comment yet on the choice of leadpipes available on the Neptune. I personally prefer the control I get from the smaller one - not so drastically different from my Gnagey - but I could get used to the bigger one. As to comparisons to the Rudy Meinl 5/4, I did a side-by-side with one and found them EXTREMELY close dimensionally, such that each fits almost perfectly in the other's hard case. Both are awfully heavy, and I do NOT like playing either one without a stand. I find the Neptune easier to center, especially with the smaller leadpipe, and mine plays much better in tune than the Rudy I tried - my only issue is that the bottom line open g plays a hair sharp in some keys. Maybe I just got lucky.