Posted by Goodgigs on December 08, 2003 at 02:11:04:
In Reply to: Buying Advice posted by Jordan B on December 07, 2003 at 23:52:29:
Dear Jorden,
I've owned a couple of rotory valved tubas and though they are realy nice,
Don't let your school horns give you the idea that you know what GOOD piston
tubas are like. The most commen proublems with school tubas are bad regulation
and leaking. Regulation is so critical it can change everything about a horn.
Any repairman can tell you that if the valve goes too high or too low in the
casing it can't play right.That's what I mean by regulation.
Regulation is held "true" by corks and felts booth of which wear out.
Also be aware that the same thing is true with rotors. If they twist too far
or not far enough or stop in the wrong place at rest they too, are out of
regualtion.
As to the sound, they all sound different to the player MOSTLY due to the
distance to the bell and it's angle.
Ask around before you jump in there. There are a million tubas in the world
and not that meany players. Of you're picient You might get a bargen and if
it works for you, then GREAT!
In my view, having a custom built tuba is not worth the money spent no
mater where you play it.
Rotors, pistons, raw, silver, or lacquer. Just go for the sound !
Good luck Jorden,
Brian "Goodgigs" Kane