Posted by Joe Sellmansberger on May 27, 2000 at 20:37:41:
In Reply to: Miscellaneous Queries posted by MG on May 27, 2000 at 20:03:23:
Perhaps BBb tuba buyers, as a group, aren't offering to pay as much for their instruments. Manufacturers surely pay attention to this and stay away from frills, if not generally requested. Part of the purpose of a fifth valve is to possibly correct the pitch on (1-2-3 or 2-4) B natural and low E. The other purpose is to correct the pitch of very low Eb and Db and to extend the low range past very low Db and offer the (BBb) player a very low C and B natural. Perhaps fewer BBb players are as concerned about perfection in this range. (no bias intended whatsoever)
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I would say the given the same quality of instrument, 4 compensating valves ARE the equivalent, advantageously, of 5 regular valves.
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Often mouthpieces called "solo" have medium or shallow cups, and mouthpieces referred to as "symphonic" have deep wide cups. Many agree very generally that smaller mouthpieces work well with smaller tubas as larger mouthpieces work well with larger tubas.
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...a lot of room within all of these answers for opinions and variations...