Posted by Interesting!... on March 19, 2004 at 12:52:37:
In Reply to: school tubas: top-action vs front-action posted by bloke on March 19, 2004 at 11:41:25:
I would have thought front-action horns would be more prone to valve damage since the buttons and valve stems are exposed to doorways and other obstacles. However, I can certainly understand the bottom bow damage because the top-loaders can easily slip off a student's lap.
I appears to me that top-loaders aren't as cool as front-action and rotary horns. Hence the higher 'neglect' factor. Obviously, the rotary horns don't survive as well in locker room 'crash tests'. A high school student has no business whatsoever with a Miraphone... unless his daddy buys it for him.
Roger Donnely used to keep his big top-loader Martin in a stand.