In the end, it's the player that makes it professional. There are many euphonium and tenor tuba parts that have been played excellently by session and orchestral tuba players on a Yamaha YEP-321, their "intermediate" horn. With the exception of some european models, the "professional" euphoniums are all 3+1, which would require a bit more adjustment. Also in the U.S. they are quite expensive.
There are plenty of pro players using quite old tubas by York, Conn, Etc that were then refurbished, had extra valves added, etc.
In the end it's what gets the job done. The majority of professional players are not people like Alan Baer, who have models designed to his specifications marketed by various companies. Most are using tubas they just bonded with, or had changed to meet their specific playing preferences.
New Term for TubeNet Use!
- tbonesullivan
- 4 valves

- Posts: 531
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- Location: New Jersey
Re: New Term for TubeNet Use!
Yamaha YBB-631S BBb Tuba, B&H Imperial Eb Tuba, Sterling / Perantucci 1065GHS Euphonium
Yamaha YBL-621 RII Bass Trombone and a bunch of other trombones
Yamaha YBL-621 RII Bass Trombone and a bunch of other trombones
- Donn
- 6 valves

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- Location: Seattle, ☯
Re: New Term for TubeNet Use!
I have to assume that
1) a professional tuba player is typically highly skilled, and
2) a real professional tuba would therefore be designed to suit a highly skilled player.
Which I know I am not, so it seems like a thoroughly bad idea to look for a professional tuba. Independent of whether there really is any such thing.
The pickup analogy is useful here, but slightly off because I don't think the "pro" in that context is supposed to be a professional pickup truck driver, just has some profession that requires the use of a pickup truck. Professional scrap metal trader, something like that. For the sake of the analogy, though, let's say he or she is really supposed to be a professional driver, who, I don't know, can shift without using the clutch and perform other feats of skill that would make my eyes bug out, and my old Ford Ranger wouldn't provide him with the full range of opportunities to exercise that skill, with its automatic transmission, power steering etc. Features that I find desirable, not being any kind of pro.
1) a professional tuba player is typically highly skilled, and
2) a real professional tuba would therefore be designed to suit a highly skilled player.
Which I know I am not, so it seems like a thoroughly bad idea to look for a professional tuba. Independent of whether there really is any such thing.
The pickup analogy is useful here, but slightly off because I don't think the "pro" in that context is supposed to be a professional pickup truck driver, just has some profession that requires the use of a pickup truck. Professional scrap metal trader, something like that. For the sake of the analogy, though, let's say he or she is really supposed to be a professional driver, who, I don't know, can shift without using the clutch and perform other feats of skill that would make my eyes bug out, and my old Ford Ranger wouldn't provide him with the full range of opportunities to exercise that skill, with its automatic transmission, power steering etc. Features that I find desirable, not being any kind of pro.
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Heavy_Metal
- 5 valves

- Posts: 1734
- Joined: Fri Jul 20, 2012 10:42 pm
- Location: Baltimore, MD, USA
Re: New Term for TubeNet Use!
No, it's an Alexander.bloke wrote:......"Isn't the consummate 'professional' tuba an old 186?"
Principal tuba, Bel Air Community Band
Old (early 1900s?) Alexander BBb proto-163
1976 Sonora (B&S 101) 4-rotor BBb
1964 Conn 20J/21J BBb (one body, both bells)
~1904 York 3P BBb Helicon
Old Alex Comp.F, in shop
Old (early 1900s?) Alexander BBb proto-163
1976 Sonora (B&S 101) 4-rotor BBb
1964 Conn 20J/21J BBb (one body, both bells)
~1904 York 3P BBb Helicon
Old Alex Comp.F, in shop
- groth
- 3 valves

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Re: New Term for TubeNet Use!
Pro Grade means that if you are professional and using it for work or a living, it will suit your needs and perform all the tasks a professional throws at it. Usually means as well, that it (tuba or a truck) has features or build quality higher than "standard" that will perform said tasks up to par or better in working conditions IE: Tougher materials, better suspension, build quality in general and options to make this possible.
- iiipopes
- Utility Infielder

- Posts: 8582
- Joined: Tue Sep 06, 2005 1:10 am
Re: New Term for TubeNet Use!
This ^bloke wrote:"Isn't the consummate 'professional' tuba an old 186?"
Jupiter JTU1110
"Real" Conn 36K
"Real" Conn 36K
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Bnich93
- bugler

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- Joined: Mon Aug 05, 2013 8:39 pm
Re: New Term for TubeNet Use!
My horn choices demonstrate that I both buy hype as well as occasionally YOLO my way into a non hyped but pro quality horn.
Edit: but I fell in love with a yorkbrunner long before I knew what it was. I just finally got an opportunity to get my dream horn.
Edit: but I fell in love with a yorkbrunner long before I knew what it was. I just finally got an opportunity to get my dream horn.
Hirsbrunner HB50 w/Warburton 30DL
John Packer 377s w/Parker Cantabile
John Packer 377s w/Parker Cantabile
- SousaWarrior9
- 3 valves

- Posts: 428
- Joined: Tue Apr 19, 2011 6:22 pm
Re: New Term for TubeNet Use!
I guess my horn choices fall into the category of "decades-old horns that were professional grade in their day, but have fallen out of fashion with the modern player, and thus can usually be found fairly cheap by comparison"Bnich93 wrote:My horn choices demonstrate that I both buy hype as well as occasionally YOLO my way into a non hyped but pro quality horn.
Edit: but I fell in love with a yorkbrunner long before I knew what it was. I just finally got an opportunity to get my dream horn.
I guess we call that "vintage"?
"Some men are macho men. Others are Martin men"
It's that word "handcraft"...
It's that word "handcraft"...
- groth
- 3 valves

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Re: New Term for TubeNet Use!
Great Minds think alike. I'd put my "pro" 2341 up against any horn as far as playability..problem with humans is we're never satisfied and have to keep pushing until we pushed too far and end up wanting what we had to start with.SousaWarrior9 wrote:I guess my horn choices fall into the category of "decades-old horns that were professional grade in their day, but have fallen out of fashion with the modern player, and thus can usually be found fairly cheap by comparison"Bnich93 wrote:My horn choices demonstrate that I both buy hype as well as occasionally YOLO my way into a non hyped but pro quality horn.
Edit: but I fell in love with a yorkbrunner long before I knew what it was. I just finally got an opportunity to get my dream horn.
I guess we call that "vintage"?
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WC8KCY
- 3 valves

- Posts: 342
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Re: New Term for TubeNet Use!
When the valves on my Schiller Elite BB-flat American Heritage tuba wear out, it will likely be repurposed as a prosumer-grade umbrella stand or perhaps even a prosumer-grade bird bath.the elephant wrote:Schiller Elite BBb American Heritage (made in Germany, China) PROSUMER SERIES tuba-shaped-objects are FINALLY HERE!
WHOOP WHOOP!
After being cut down to CC, of course...
WHOOP WHOOP!