Posted by Joe S. on February 14, 2000 at 23:59:04:
In Reply to: VMI F tubas posted by Doug on February 14, 2000 at 22:20:29:
It probably means that you can either stick the short slide directly into the tuba for (whatever they mean is) a 7/8 tone, or you can take that same slide and insert it into a "piggyback" slide which is THEN inserted into the instrument for (whatever they mean is) a 9/8 tone length.
My best guess for an interpretation of "7/8" tone is a long half step (in tune with the 4th valve) and that the "9/8" tone is a long whole step (in tune with the 4th valve).
I had a big tuba "show" in my store several years ago, and had some V.M.I. stuff, some M.W. stuff, some Kurath stuff, etc. I personally found the Mel Culbertson F to be an un-useable instrument.
strong opinion, but mine...and honest.