Posted by js on August 15, 2003 at 20:28:24:
In Reply to: Re: Re: Newer tuba models are missing ________ . posted by Wade on August 15, 2003 at 18:54:56:
I had one of those 163 Alex's...
The resistance is built into the bugle of that instrument, rather than it's mouthpipe and valve section. They work nicely...and are very controllable with their (different type of) resistance built in elsewhere.
I must admit, though, right before I sold my Alex, I fashioned a 4" long venturi which inserted into the mouthpipe tube. The gizmo accepted an American shank mouthpiece and superimposed a smaller taper into the first few inches of the mouthpipe tube. I liked the instrument much better with the insert...
...but we all have our own personal tastes.