6/4 Tuba Questions

[TubaZac2012]

So I've played a few, and I've only really liked a couple. So I'm asking the Tubenet community what else is out there, because after my F sells, I plan on getting on the prowl for a 6/4. The ones I have played are an older Nirschl that I really enjoyed, but I don't know if I'm wanting to wait 2-3 years to be able to afford a horn of that price. I've played a Holton, which was probably my favorite, the sound alone sold me, then everything else was just a plus, it was a BBb, but very much a 6/4, this is the Holton Bloke recently sold. I've played a Hand made Baer, great, a bit too dark, but good over all intonation, but still the price is something I just don't think I could invest, unless I found a killer deal somewhere. I've played a 2165, not a fan, hard for me to get around on, huge sound, but a hard one to play, granted you can find them for a great price for a 6/4. I played some Hirsbrunner, I think it was a 50, it was alright, it was about 20 years old, not in the greatest of shape, and I was a young player not knowing what to do on the thing, so I don't really know how to evaluate it, from what I can remember it was just massive, and pretty fun, though this was well over 5 years ago. I've also played the Gronitz PCK, I think this is considered a 6/4 I like this horn, a little growly in the low register if you push it, but overall intonation and sound is pretty excellent.

Horns I'm interested in that I've yet to try are the Adams CC 6/4, PT-7, MRPCC I've already read a few reviews on it though, the Neptune piston or rotar, though I've read a couple reviews that have been posted here lately on the forums, and anything else that might be a good choice. I'm currently in the process of downsizing, and if I'm going to have one tuba, I want to have one really nice BAT, that fits my playing needs best as they are currently. Still currently in saving mode, but just looking to see if I'm leaving anything else out.

[bisontuba]

Try the Big Mouth Brass (BMB) 6/4 BBb and CC also.....
Mark

[bort]

You may want to consider German style 6/4 tubas for a different type of experience... Fafner (piston or rotary), Fasolt, MW 197, Rudy 5/4, Alex 164 (if you can find one!), Miraphone Siegfried, etc.

Lots of options!

[TubaZac2012]

Thanks for the suggestions thus far, I've considered the BBb option, for sure. I'll check them out, keep up with the suggestions!

[thevillagetuba]

I second the Fafner recommendation. I got to try my professor's back in college; he had Matt at Dillon Music add a 5th valve because it wasn't available as such. It was almost like playing a big Alex, but without being such a gas guzzler.

At least that's my two cents.

[Steve Marcus]

MW 197

You'll have a hard time finding one of those in the western hemisphere unless you order one sight unseen from the factory.

[TubaZac2012]

You may want to consider German style 6/4 tubas for a different type of experience... Fafner (piston or rotary), Fasolt, MW 197, Rudy 5/4, Alex 164 (if you can find one!), Miraphone Siegfried, etc.

Lots of options!

I like those ideas, but I just don't know about going back to playing BBb, I've been playing CC for the better part of 7 years.

[michael_glenn]

For what it's worth, I liked the BMB 6/4 CC. Not right for me, but a good tuba nonetheless. I would get the 4 valve one, and cut in a non dependent 5th valve however....
The rotary Neptune is an AMAZING tuba. The PT-6 is not quite 6/4, but the rotary version is very good. I like the rotary ones more than the piston versions.
I haven't played the YorkBrunner, but I have always enjoyed listening to others play them. They give an amazing sound that combines the classic Hirsbrunner sound, and the York sound.
The one Gronitz that I've played (I don't remember what model) was absolutely a 6/4 and was quite good.
As for which is the best? That's really up to you. Establish your budget, and buy the one that you sound the best on regardless of name, key, size, or type of valves that is within your budget.

[NDSPTuba]

Well I'll just throw out there, the Kalison 2000 Pro. It is what I play, quick response, great low range for a 6/4, for any tuba really. My understanding is the with the Kalison's you have to try it first, because they aren't all good players. I just got lucky. But the best part is for a 6/4ish tuba, they are cheap. And if you get a good one, one of the best deals out there for a 6/4.

[TubaZac2012]

MW 197

You'll have a hard time finding one of those in the western hemisphere unless you order one sight unseen from the factory.

I had to look that tuba up, I had never heard of it before.

[Rick Denney]

I've played a couple of examples of the Big Mouth Brass 6/4, in both Bb and C, and I know one player of high skill who owns a C. These are quite decent instruments and should certainly be seriously considered, especially for a person on a budget.

Rick "whose Holton is not, however, for sale" Denney

[TubaZac2012]

I've played a couple of examples of the Big Mouth Brass 6/4, in both Bb and C, and I know one player of high skill who owns a C. These are quite decent instruments and should certainly be seriously considered, especially for a person on a budget.

Rick "whose Holton is not, however, for sale" Denney

It's an honor to have you comment on one of my threads, your Holton is one of the original CCs, right?

[bort]

You may want to consider German style 6/4 tubas for a different type of experience... Fafner (piston or rotary), Fasolt, MW 197, Rudy 5/4, Alex 164 (if you can find one!), Miraphone Siegfried, etc.

Lots of options!

I like those ideas, but I just don't know about going back to playing BBb, I've been playing CC for the better part of 7 years.

Ah, whoops! I missed the CC requirement!

[TubaZac2012]

You may want to consider German style 6/4 tubas for a different type of experience... Fafner (piston or rotary), Fasolt, MW 197, Rudy 5/4, Alex 164 (if you can find one!), Miraphone Siegfried, etc.

Lots of options!

I like those ideas, but I just don't know about going back to playing BBb, I've been playing CC for the better part of 7 years.

Ah, whoops! I missed the CC requirement!

Not a problem my friend, it'd just be real hard for me to go back to BBb, I'm just so accustomed to CC. Should've specifed myself. Great suggestions, though!

[bort]

FWIW, the Rudy 5/4 (uncommon) and Alex 164 (rare!) are available in CC.

Actually, that raises kind of an interesting sub-point -- there aren't many 6/4 rotary CC tubas out there (the most common is probably the Cerveny, which are kind of love/hate horns). There are many 5/4 rotary CC tubas, but few true 6/4 ones. I don't know if this is particularly relevant, just thought it was interesting.

[Z-Tuba Dude]

Actually, that raises kind of an interesting sub-point -- there aren't many 6/4 rotary CC tubas out there (the most common is probably the Cerveny, which are kind of love/hate horns). There are many 5/4 rotary CC tubas, but few true 6/4 ones. I don't know if this is particularly relevant, just thought it was interesting.

Didn't the 6/4 craze really begin with AJ & the York? Consequently, many manufacturers tried to emulate that York design creating a proliferation of piston 6/4 designs, no?

[bort]

That, plus German style Kaiser tubas are usually in BBb. Seems like a 6/4 rotary in CC is a hybrid.

[TubaZac2012]

Well, to be honest, I've been playing on rotars for nearly 6 months now, and I am very ready to go back to piston, that's a whole other topic of discussion. I'm about to post now, because I feel like are there piston and rotar people, or are they separate from one another?

[Z-Tuba Dude]

I really don't get the whole "rotor vs. piston" thing.

You just push you fingers down & blow, no?

[TubaZac2012]

I don't know man, rotary valves just don't feel as sound, as strong, as reliable. They're fine, just not my taste.