Choice between two tubas... please give me some advice

[Kenny Lee]

I'm planning to buy an orchestral cc tuba and I thought miraphone 1293 is suitable for big, deep sound that I want. But suddenly a friend of mine told me that miraphone 1293 is not very good and instead recommended the kanstul grand cc tuba. I searched both of them and haven't been able to decide which one would be better even the price level is almost the same..

1) which one has larger volume and depth?
2) which one is bigger in size?
3) which one is more commonly used by musicians?

I would be very happy if anyone gives me some advice

[peter birch]

what I would say is this - is it your money or your friends (or for that matter Tubenets)? You decide. try the both and decide which one you like and suits your pocket and then be brave and go for it and never look back, don't worry about what others think, they will always be good at spending your money for you, and remember you are playing it not your friend. good luck and enjoy your tuba

[PMeuph]

Of the two, I'd select neither as neither one rings my bell. Get out and play some tubas for yourself.

+1

This can not be said enough. Get to Hornguys, Baltimore Brass, or any other stores with tubas in stock (Or a convention) and try several horns.

[swillafew]

Try before you buy.

[The Big Ben]

Try before you buy.

Even if you have to fly to try.

[iiipopes]

First, set your budget. Stick to it. Consider purchasing used. Take two or three of your favorite mouthpieces (because not every tuba will react positively with every mouthpiece) and someone with you who knows your playing and the tone color you are after, so he/she can stand about twenty to thirty feet away to see what you really sound like through as many tubas as you can try before you buy. Start with everything, from warmups to your favorite excerpts, take notes, start narrowing the universe to about three or four choices. Then put it all aside and come back to those three or four a few days later and repeat. One tuba will "find you."

[Bill Troiano]

You must try before you buy, even if it costs a plane trip someplace. Buying a tuba is not something you want to approach as if you're just reading specs and shopping from a catalog. And, they are all ergonomically different - different heights, different angled valve clusters, the slide positions. What is comfortable for one may not be comfortable for you.

Both are fine tubas. I found the Kanstul awkward to hold, but supposedly, it's been redesigned. The 1293 (or 1291 or 1292) are player friendly and seem comfortable for most players to hold. The Kanstul is a bit larger. There are other horns out there. Go and try them. I don't know where you're located, but the DC Army Band Conference (in Arlington, VA) is in early Feb. It's a free conference and a great place to try any tubas that are currently sold. Good luck!

[Heavy_Metal]

Welcome to TubeNet, Kenny! (c'mon guys, this should have been said much earlier)

If you tell us where you're located, we might know of a store near you where you can try different tubas. You really should do this, since you'll probably live with this purchase for a long time.