I love a 3+1 system on euphonium (both compensating and non-compensating).
My PT22p is awesome in every way except for that the valve spacing is huge! The only 3+1 horn I tried was a Yamaha E flat, which just wasn't the sound I was after. Ergonomically it was great. I too am amazed at how so many people dislike the interaction of both hands. I certainly understand if the pitch is bad- I would want access to my first valve slide. It is funny how so many people don't mind a lot more thinking for exactly where to put that first valve slide, but are so against letting an index finger go up or down...
If my horn were available in a 3+1 I would check it out, but sound and pitch would be my ultimate decision maker. The only thing I do not like about the compensating system is the length of the valve stroke.
I wish they had made one with 4th valve being a rotor that way it could be accuated by the pinky or the left hand. After having owned a 982 and a 983 I can see the value of both styles.
Got my B&H Imperial in 1985 and have been playing it ever since for 80% of my playing, quintet, small pops orchestra, bands, brass band. Recently I have been playing more dixie/second line stuff so I have been using a BBb more, but it is still my main horn.
ken k
B&H imperial E flat tuba
Mirafone 187 BBb
1919 Pan American BBb Helicon
1924 Buescher BBb tuba (Dr. Suessaphone)
2009 Mazda Miata
1996 Honda Pacific Coast PC800
the whole "bell goes in the wrong direction" thing always puzzled me. Especially in orchestra. With a valve front horn the bell goes to the left and , at least in my experience, the sound goes out into the wings of the stage, whereas with the valve up, bell to the right configuration your sound goes out over the stage to the rest of the orchestra
ken k
B&H imperial E flat tuba
Mirafone 187 BBb
1919 Pan American BBb Helicon
1924 Buescher BBb tuba (Dr. Suessaphone)
2009 Mazda Miata
1996 Honda Pacific Coast PC800
bigboymusic wrote:Rex Martin! I have heard him many times with his Besson. What a perfect match.....
Yes, Rex;s tone color is amazing. Whivh besson does he play? It appears to have a smaller bell than the usual 19 incher. Great core and focus as a result.
2052sg Euphonium-
2110L BBb tuba
3/4 Conn Eb tuba
Southern Tier Concert Band(euph)]
Vestal(NY) Community Band(tuba)
Maine(NY) Community Band(conductor)
I played a 981 for about ten years. Two conductors hated the instrument because it was pointed at choir mikes and dominated the chorus, even though the acoustic balance was fine. One of those conductors said that I should never bring that tuba into an orchestra he's conducting ever again. That's when I sold it.
It was the one tuba that I've played that had no compromise. The most difficult thing about playing it was the low F to Eb and back to F at the end of the 1st mvt of the V-W. It took a lot of practice to make that work. That's it, nothing else. I did fight the LH 4th valve but always found ways around it.
City Intonation Inspector - Dallas Texas "Holding the Bordognian Fabric of the Universe together through better pitch, one note at a time."
Practicing results in increased atmospheric CO2 thus causing global warming.
This could be outdated but I understood that Rex had Ed Livingston's former horn.One of those John Fletcher models with the bigger bell.I was at ISU a couple years before Rex got there and Livingston, to my knowledge, never let anyone play it. Once in a "lesson" I, because my other teachers were willing to let me play their horns, picked it up and already had my mouthpiece in before asking if I could try it. He looked very uncomfortable but said OK. That is one Fine tuba. I think the biggest hurdle in using them here in the states is the right facing bell. Not because it's wrong, just because it's different.Ed
My primary instrument is euphonium. My secondary used to be trombone, but in the last 15 years or so I'd say my tuba playing outdistanced my trombone playing, so tuba is now my secondary. I chose an E-flat because I "think" in treble clef on euphonium. I first played cornet (very briefly) then switched to euphonium and stuck with treble clef. Playing the E-flat tuba for me is just a simple matter of reading it like treble clef euph music and changing accidentals. I also like the sound of the Besson compensating tubas for their clarity. Since I never play tuba in orchestra, a German-type CC/BBb is not necessary. I find the tuba I have (Besson Sovereign from around 1987) fits nicely in brass quintet/ensemble and works well for solos, too.
