Most underrated tubas

[Tom]

Getzen G-50

B&S PT-4 (I prefer this over the PT-20 by far)

[Quicksilvertuba]

not sure if it's coincidence or not, but most tubas talked about on here are contrabasses... I guess bass tubas are generally what they say they are (or worse) compared to their price, huh? I don't own a bass tuba, and haven't played many, but from all the complaining I hear about their low registers and intonation issues, I'm guessing you can't find many underratted F or E flat horns?

[Arkietuba]

Sam Gnagey's horns...

I think they qualify as under rated due to the fact that very few people actually consider them when they're in the market for a new horn. Everyone that has played one loves it and you can't find a better horn for the price. I was absolutely shocked the first time I picked one up and played it. I was dissapointed by how inconsistant the Mirafones and Meinl Westons were and Sam's suprised me. They are really consistant and even/smooth.

[Ed Jones]

Almost all rotary valve contrabass tubas are underrated. Almost all piston valve bass (especially F) tubas are underrated.

What would our preferences in contrabass tubas be if Arnold Jacobs had played a rotary CC tuba?

[Art Hovey]

I would put in a vote for the big Jupiter BBb. I don't like the leadpipe placement, I don't like the second valve slide that can't be pulled far enough to be useful, and it's too tall. But it PLAYS. The dual bore (which is never advertised) and open wrap have a lot to do with its success.

The Conn 12J is also under-rated. It has the best high register of any BBb tuba I have played.

[Biggs]

King 2341.

Playable, durable, usable in schools but decent enough for advancing players as well. It is what it is. Good bang for the buck.

[Biggs]

eventually this thread will list just about every tuba there is

Then we can start a new thread: "Most Rated Tuba"

[Alex C]

Was that YOUR 4/4 I tried at TMEA, or was that a demo? I can't remember. It was an absolute dream to play. If I had a full-time gig, I'd own one.

Doc

Doc, I think you played mine. It cost less than half of what the handmade version cost.

[windshieldbug]

Liquor stores are chock full of money.

... and tuba players are often chock full of liquor. I don't think we go there for the money!

[Kevin Hendrick]

Liquor stores are chock full of money.

... and tuba players are often chock full of liquor. I don't think we go there for the money!

It's a terrible thing to get sidetracked so easily.

A mind is a terrible thing!

[windshieldbug]

A mind is a terrible thing!

... and a waste is a terrible thing to mind!

[Kevin Hendrick]

A mind is a terrible thing!

... and a waste is a terrible thing to mind!

Well, my waist certainly is!

[Lew]

"Short" 6/4 Martins.
Turn-of-the century BBb Keefers.
Old Distin horns.

I would agree with all of those. Those Martins were among the best BATs made for sound, playability and intonation.

I have only seen one Keefer BBb and have never played one. If it plays anything like my Distin BBb it would be a great player. Distin didn't make that many horns, but I think he only made professional grade instruments, although the Distins made in Williamsport were really made by Keefer with old man Distin providing his name.

I do have a Keefer eefer with a 20" bell that plays well, even though the valves are a bit worn. Here's a photo:

[Kenneth Sturgeon]

MW32 CC, Alexander 163CC and Yamaha 861CC. All three can more than carry their own weight in any ensemble. Just different flavors of sound.

[eupher61]

few things have the overall adaptability of a good Piggy CC. BBb's are OK, but a good CC...

[iiipopes]

I don't believe Rudy Meinl is underrated. Quite the contrary. It's just that they are not well known in all parts of the country, and they are sooooooooo expensive, although not as bad as a Hirsbrunner, and probably comparable in price to a Gronitz.

[MartyNeilan]

"Short" 6/4 Martins.

I would agree with all of those. Those Martins were among the best BATs made for sound, playability and intonation.

I am not sure which model you mean - do you have any pics or links to one??

[Chuck(G)]

I am not sure which model you mean - do you have any pics or links to one??

The old fixed-bell squat model--I dunno, was it a 1920's design? Martin later changed the basic design somewhat to accomodate a removable recording bell.

Don't have a photo, but I sure wish I had one of the horns. The one I played was better than more common removable-bell models.

That may be one on Dan Oberloh's site; it's hard to say, what with all of the mods:

http://www.oberloh.com/martintuba/martintuba.htm

[kingrob76]

If you use the word underrated by it's definition of "to rate or evaluate too low; underestimate" I've got two horns that fit that bill IMO. The first is a Getzen CB-50/G-50, especially one from the first half of the production; and the second is an HB-2.

The CB-50 is my idea of a perfect all-purpose horn, and you can use it any setting from solo work up any kind of medium-sized (or non-paying) Orchestra. It can do anything a 186 can and I think they play and sound much better. This horn never gets the respect it deserves and a good one is worth holding onto.

Cameron Gates, while being a silly Oregon alum, is right about the HB-2 - it's closest thing I've seen to a Point-Shoot-Kill tuba, especially with the solid rotors. Reminds me of the tuba version of a Cyberdyne Systems Series 800 Model 101. I think it's a bit harder to drive in a quintet than a CB-50 but I remember when Pershing's Own would run out 6 of these for their concerts and man could those guys lay out some pipe.

Not the highest regarded, or most amazing horns, but certainly overlooked and underestimated.

[tubatom91]

lacquered version of St. Pete 202 BBb

I think the regular 202n is pretty swell as well. I played one the other day I almost liked it better than a B&S PT-1.