MW Ursus vs. Thor

[one.kidney]

What is the opinion of these two tubas? Which one plays better? I know the Thor is awesome, but i've always been interested in the Baer, but have not the funds to do so. Is the Ursus a true 4/4 tuba, or is it comparable to the Thor?

[one.kidney]

1/ I'm certainly not Alan Baer, and do not share all of his preferences and views.
2/ Alan Baer plays quite a bit better than I do.
3/ I studied with Alan Baer for a few months (until he moved east) and was glad to pay his going rate. I would ask to resume, were he to move back closer to me.
4/ There is an BLATANT conflict of interest in this post (my post), because [1] I own a 5450 and [2] I have a 2155 for sale.
5/ Some of my opinions are diametrically opposed to those opinions of others, but I do not consider myself one who misrepresents or over-represents merchandise in order to cajole others into buying it.
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- For an orchestral/large ensemble tuba, I prefer my (not "just any") model 5450. Mine is not for sale, and not even for a "brand-new" price.
- The model 3225 is a good tuba. I spent a reasonably long amount of time evaluating one...and in a not-that-noisy room (Midwest Band & Orch. Clinic). I'm pretty sure that - an hour earlier - I saw Alan Baer playing scales and arpeggios on the very same instrument. Perhaps (??) he was at Midwest to perform a solo recital, and used that very same tuba.
- The model 2155 that I have for sale is slightly larger (a very large 4/4) is - perhaps - a better all-around tuba, and is easier for me to play in-tune than a model 3225. The 2155 that I have for sale is also easier for me to play in-tune than my 5450.
- Being nutty, I have two or three C tubas. Were it that I did not play an any orchestras...and were it that I was forced to choose only one C tuba, I would probably keep the 2155 (stupid-easy to play in tune and great/no slide-pulling at all/even sound) and sell my 5450.
- The model 2155 that I have for sale (possibly...??) is a better "audition tuba" than my 5450, because the 2155 low range (very accessible) sound is more "refined" and not prone to "ratting".
- The model 2155, several years ago, was replaced with the nearly-identical model 2000. The model 2000 is made from cut/seamed sheet brass, and the lowest price I can ever find online is about $22,000.

so, say i wanted to recreate Gene Pokorny's Last excerpt on the Planets, Jupiter, on his orchestral excerpts CD, the low one at the Lento Maestoso. Based on your experiences, what would be the best tuba to make that kind of sound: the 2155, or 5450?

[EMC]

I have only limited experience on both of these horns but ill try to help, in terms of size the thor is the obviously bigger horn being quite a bit taller and having a slightly bigger bell. I have to say i prefer the way the Thor plays quite a bit more than the ursus as well, the Ursus while being a very nice playing horn doesnt have any apparent strengths over the Thor whose sustained popularity and price which seems to only rise every year speaks for itself. As far as intonation is concerned there was not real outstanding difference in the two both being quite consistent and typical with CC tubas. Im not absolutely crazy about either horn but if i had to choose between the two the thor would be my obvious choice and i would probably have more confidence buying one untested than the other. Again Ive only spent probably a total of 12 hours on the two so try them for yourself if you can, if not get the opinion of someone who owns an ursus if you can find one.

[Cthuba]

I would probably suggest being Gene Pokorny...back when he recorded that excerpt for that c.d.