Help with deciding on CC purchase

[TubaTimeTrio]

Hey folks! Me again!

Earlier this year, I had posted a question about a B&S PT-4p, because I'm a college student who's looking for a CC Tuba to switch to from BBb. Well, I had some great responses, a majority in favor of the tuba I had asked about, but I decided to take a visit to Baltimore Brass and play some more used horns so that I could get some comparisons, with the B&S I already was borrowing, and I found about 6 different horns that I was interested in, but was able to narrow it down to the previous B&S, and a Getzen G50 with a York 19.5" bell.

Now, all this being said, both sound fantastic and the sound I want/have is great because the horns play with me instead of me having to fight the horn to produce my sound. The B&S looks pretty new, just with some scratches here and there, but none that are noticeable until you look for them. There's a picture at the bottom of the Getzen, but you can easily see that it looks very worn and tarnished. However, I've always looked at it as: even if the horn looks terrible, it's the sound that matters. But the worry I have is that it might not last as long as the B&S.

So, I compared comfortability. The B&S horn is comfortable, but does require me to stretch a bit more to work the valves in the best/most efficient way. I have big hands though, so this is easily adjustable. The other issue with the horn is that the tuning slides are in a way that I have to reach to get them over the body of the horn. This is much easier on the Getzen because the slides are closer to the body and I don't have to reach over it to get them because they're right there. However, the valve section is still not to comfortable for me to use (I don't know why, it's just my own feeling) and it has no thumb rest, which isn't a big deal, but the 5th valve just feels somewhat strange because of it. That part is just personal preference not really a problem with the horn itself.

So, with a basic rundown of the horns, I guess I'm just looking for some advice on either which horn sounds like the best choice, or any other things you would recommend I look at when comparing the 2, if I'm missing anything. Both horns have the same asking price of $6500. Thanks! Again, a picture at the bottom is of the G50 that I found at the store, and the PT-4p basically looks the same as any image you'd find of a "new" one online. Thanks again!

[bort]

The Getzen tubas have notoriously thin silver plating, so it shows wear very. It has no effect on anything other than appearance. The longevity and lifespan of the tuba are also completely unaffected by this, and I believe that both the Getzen and B&S tubas are very well-made instruments.

The Getzen tubas are so short, the bell is right next to your head. Be sure you have someone listen to you from out front, so evaluate what you really sound like, not just what you are hearing from under the bell.

I'm not sure what to suggest, apart from saying that you should pick the tuba that sounds the best to you, has the best response and intonation, and does so with the least amount of effort -- make it as easy as possible for yourself.

[Michael Bush]

Amen to what Bort says. I spent a good bit of time with, and seriously considered buying, (what I assume is) that G-50-/York at ITEC. The second opinions I got suggested it sounded good out front, and I enjoyed the sound as I heard it, as well the feel of it in my hands. I just couldn't live with the rim of the bell being *right there* at my left ear. I think it's a sweet tuba, if only it didn't sing directly into my ear. But all that is purely personal, as it has to be also for you.

[barry grrr-ero]

It's just an opinion, but I think far too much is made of 'German sound' vs. 'American sound'. There are German AND American tubas that sound great, just as there are German AND American tubas that sound like doggy doo-doo. Try A LOT of different tubas, and buy the one you like. Don't pay too much attention to where it came from other than for the issue of craftsmanship. Again, that's only an opinion.

As for BBb vs. CC, there are pros and cons to both. Just know that if you're wanting to land one of the very scarce symphony orchestra jobs, very few people ever do so on a BBb tuba. That's partly because so much orchestral music is in sharp keys, which give BBb tubas a bit of a disadvantage. Also, the tessitura to a lot of orchestral music is a bit higher than with most wind ensemble music. But if you want to mostly play in community bands and/or teach, BBb may work just fine for you. And even though CC tubas require a bit more work to consistently play in tune (most of them), stick with CC if you prefer playing that. Who knows, you might end up like many of the other nut cases and own both BBb and CC (and an F and an Eb and a Euphonium and a Cimbasso and a contra-bass trombone, etc., etc.).

Barry Guerrero

[toobagrowl]

Sounds like you have narrowed it down to the Getzen G-50 and B&S PT-4P and like them both. As others have said, they are both quality tubas.
I'd suggest have someone you trust with good ears listen to you on both tubas and/or try to get a good recording of yourself playing both tubas
with the same equipment in the same position. Also, keep in mind that even though the Getzen G-50 is more 'worn' than the said PT-4P, the
G-50 is a somewhat rare tuba.

I point out the "American" vs. "German" sound because the Getzen in question has a very old American bell on it, giving it a very distinct "American" sound, compared to the all German PT-4.

Now the original tall 'prototype' rotary PT-4 -- that was an all-German tuba. But the production PT-4P -- along with most "PT" model contrabass tubas -- are loosely designed around the "York concept" ----> large bell flare, piston valves, etc. The PT-6/PT-6P, PT-606, etc were designed as "York model" tubas, even though I think of the PT-6 to be a 'hybrid' "German 'York'" tuba. But the B&S rotary F and BBb tuba line are all-German in design and sound.

[TubaTimeTrio]

Thanks for all the help and feel free to keep the responses coming!

But just to clear up about the BBb vs CC and the American sound vs German sound, I do agree that both are different horns for somewhat different purposes and different people. While I agree that the BBb is just fine, and I even know a fantastic tuba player (my old high school director) who didn't learn any other key of tuba until he was a professor at a university, for me, it was my instructor who pushed me to take the plunge and even the chair of the department, who is also a brilliant tubist, recommended that or an F tuba. Personally, I needed to purchase my own horn because the model I had owned before was a student model 3/4 and 3 valve King and it was just time for me to buy a professional horn, so my instructor thought the best thing for me to do was go ahead and get a CC for orchestral works and how well my sound matched that style, if that makes sense.

And with American vs German sounds, they both sound great to me, even if they're different. I'm slightly more partial to the German sound though, as the BBb horn I was renting previously from my university was a Miraphone and it just grew on me from there. But I also do enjoy the Getzen's sound, as said before, and even had a musically trained ear (not a professional, but a pretty great musician) listen in and give me his input and he actually liked the sound of the Getzen most. I guess it all just comes down to me getting the sound that I want to produce and that I'm not fighting the horn to get there. Unfortunately, as much as I loved Baltimore Brass and everything there, their practice room wasn't the best space for recording myself and listening to it, because of the rattling of the lights and the echo and whatnot.

[SCHSGetzen]

The G50 has an interesting feature that helps players like myself switch from BBb to CC. The 5th valve is reversible so it can be either a 4 valve BBb or 5 valve CC. Having both is one instrument is nice when you have to prepare music for a BBb (Marching band) and don't have access to one.

[bort]

Also, in a few years, if you decide to sell your tuba and buy something you like better (which happens a LOT), you will have an easier time selling a PT-4 than the Getzen.

When it comes to selling a tuba, the less explaining you have to do, the better.

[TubaTimeTrio]

Thanks for the help, gang! I decided after a week of thinking it over that the PT-4p is the horn for me. Thanks again!