Advice on 3/4 Bb or lightweight 4/4; WTB

[gvtuba]

I am interested in advice on 3/4 tubas or lightweight 4/4's. I prefer 4 piston front action, but am flexible. I do not want to start a bash-a-thon on Chinese tubas. I currently play the "compact" Hirshbrunner copy. It sounds very good, but is making my chiropractor rich. I have heard good things about the Yamaha, of course. I have also heard good things about the Jupiter 3/4. I can find very little info on the Jin Bao JBBB520 and the various companies who sell them. Does anyone have info on these horns? I also hear good things about the Olds/Reynolds/etc., 4 valve horn.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

[tbn.al]

I can only tell you of my experience. I had access to a fine BBb, VMI 3301, but it was too heavy and cumbersome to haul around. I bought an Olds O-99 off ebay and sent it to Joe to have all the dents out and a valve job. He also corrected some inherent intonation problems and I wound up with my close to ideal quintet horn weighing in at 2/3 of the VMI, and considerably less than $2000. The older I get the more I appreciate it. Check this thread: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=33942&hilit=ebay+treasure" target="_blank" target="_blank

[Chris Horsch]

When my 50+ year old Alex 164 Bb started gaining a pound or two per year about 12 years ago, I bought a new Mirafone 182 4U, a 3/4 4-rotary valve horn that has been a gem for me. No regrets at all and I recommend it highly in all respects. I don't think they make this new anymore, but I think there is a 4-piston valve horn of about the same size made by Mirafone.

[Heavy_Metal]

When my 50+ year old Alex 164 Bb started gaining a pound or two per year about 12 years ago, I bought a new Mirafone 182 4U, a 3/4 4-rotary valve horn that has been a gem for me. No regrets at all and I recommend it highly in all respects. I don't think they make this new anymore, but I think there is a 4-piston valve horn of about the same size made by Mirafone.

The 282 superseded the 182. Miraphone's 3/4 piston horn is the 1272, here:

http://www.miraphone.de/en/en_modeldeta ... =1&lang=en" target="_blank

[michael_glenn]

Pm sent. My little BBb is for sale! It sounds great too. It has been great for me in performance, practice, and auditions.