Posted by Tony Clements on August 04, 2000 at 17:54:06:
In Reply to: Stock tuba buying posted by Dan on August 04, 2000 at 14:45:32:
Tubas go into production after much R & D and after discussion with many top-named tubists. As much as possible, they try to incorporate as many features into them as possible. Its like buying a car with options. Only to make a tuba as profitable as possible, you make it stripped down because all players will not use all possible options. After playing a tuba for awhile, one may decide that they like the basic instrument, but wish it could do this or that. A tuning jigger will halp, or adding a 5th valve. One may want to tuba to respond faster, so experimenting with leadpipes may help this desire. Some players may play a horn flat, so cutting the main slide can bring the pitch up. Many instruments have a flat 5th partial, cutting the first slide will enable the player to push the slide in far enough to fix this. Playing a horn for about a year will give you enough time to see if it needs any mods to make it uniquely 'YOURS.' THEN you can add mods as needed. Tony Clements