Posted by K on July 24, 2003 at 22:27:09:
In Reply to: Besson Stratford - B Flat ? posted by Jim on July 24, 2003 at 21:20:28:
The Stratford in question is a BBb. And by that statement all of its virtues have been listed.
The Stratford series was the 3rd line of Besson/B&H. Its intonation is downright bad.
If your son is dedicated towards tubaism, its would be almost criminal to let him waste his time with a Stratford. It would be almost impossible for him to make it sound reasonably.
As long as the purpose is a stationary practising instrument, the best choice would be to get a medium sized sousaphone and mount it in 3 lines hanging from crooks in the ceiling.
As your son hopes to march in high school, a sousaphone should not disappoint him.
Which sousaphone to take? My experiences are from the bigger end of the spectrum, but I am quite sure Joe S would say: Conn 14K.
There are other experts here on that matter. They can tell you about relevant alternatives.
Klaus