Posted by answers on May 04, 2001 at 19:56:09:
In Reply to: What constitutes the price of a tuba? posted by Karl Parks on May 04, 2001 at 11:09:06:
What are the differences in the less expensive horns and the middle to top of the line?
fit, finish, and performance (hopefully) like automobiles, etc.
What are some short cuts used my manufactures to cut cost?
hydrolic presses vs. hand-bending and tapping, accuracy of the fit of the pistons, accuracy of slide alignment and fit, accuracy of branch-to-branch end-to-end fit, more...
Is it mostly in production techniques such as assembly lines or are they using less expensive parts?
Even so-called "inexpensive" tubas can't really be "assembly lined". Maybe they could, but since no one makes hundreds of thousands of them, its not worth engineering a manufacturing process that way.
Can one assume that the more expensive horns have better quality control in their assembly?
yes
and thus should be better and more consistent in intonation and sound? (This question may lead to more opinions than fact)
What are the differences in parts? used such as valve assemblies, silver lead/brass braces and slides, etc. in less expensive horn versus mid and top?
plated pistons in less expensive instruments...monel or stainless steel in more expensive. Nickel silver hardware on more expensive. Brass hardware on less expensive.
What should one look at and avoid?
nickel plating RIGHT ON the inside slide tubes is the "signature" of a cheezy instrument. UNplated (raw nickel silver) pistons (ala many Chinese and some Czech) makes for an unhappy owner.
How do tell a Monet piston from another type?
They are a certain color of grey...They are a nickel/chrome alloy. Brand new "raw" nickel silver pistons (cheepo), though, look like monel, because both have the brass cross tubes exposed.