Posted by Paul Scott on January 19, 2002 at 06:37:36:
At the risk of asking a question with either no available answer or a very complex one, here goes. There has been discussion about the flat 3rd partial that is found on many horns. I've experienced it on different tubas including Conn, Holton, and a York that I own. Yet other makes such as Martin and King seem to have avoided this problem, (certainly most modern horns aren't plagued by it). Does anyone know what causes this "3rd partial phenomenon"? Is there a practical remedy for it, or would this entail a complete retapering of a horn and/or leadpipe?