1291 5/4 or 4/4

[OldsRecording]

Let's just agree it is a 9/7 size tuba....

RC - Proud Member of the Tubenet Rabble
(who contends his Alex is a 9/7 that plays like a 11/7 but his MW is a 5/5 that plays like a 11/9)

Actually, since it's a German horn, shouldn't that be in metric?

[tubatooter1940]

Obviously tubajoe92 needs to fill his tuba up with water. Failing to empty the water key would take too long. Immersion in the lake would work.
Down here in Alabama, we are not that persnickety. Any horn of size is simply referred to as a "big ole tuber".

[Steve Inman]

I'll bite ...

Regarding the 1292 that I played yesterday, it is probably around a 9/8 or Pi/e sized tuba. That probably makes a 1291 a 9.5/8 size horn. But it depends on the 4/4 and the 5/4 tubas you use for comparison.

How about:

186/188/2145/52-6J/etc = 4/4 = "1"
1291/2 = 5/4 = 1.25x
"Thor" = 5.5/4 = 1.375x
"Baer" = 5.75/4 = 1.44x
"Neptune" / 2165 / Holtons = 6/4 = 1.5x
Yamaha 826 / CSO York / Yorkbrunners -- 6.5/4?

Since I've never played any horns in the final category, I have no idea if that's correct. And we'll get as many assessments for these size numbers as we have members on this board, I suspect.

My point is that the numbering system offers a little help, but is not definitive. Go see, play, compare the horns and listen to the sound. Decide which one sounds bigger/smaller to you. Pick the one that fits your needs.

Cheers,

[Rick Denney]

I hear many different things and I want to know the truth is the 1291 a 5/4 or 4/4.

Yes.

Rick "sure that it is not a 3/4 or a 6/4" Denney