Posted by Matt G on May 31, 2001 at 12:22:39:
In Reply to: Best tuba for low range posted by Phil on May 31, 2001 at 11:23:09:
In the parameters you present, bigger is normally better. The York copies are fairly competent at this, also are big Cerveny's and Alexander's. However there are some 4/4 horns that allow for plent of projection and sound down there like a Meinl Weston 32,2145,2155, the Rudolf Meinl 4/4, Hirsbrunner 4/4's rotory and piston, some examples of bigger Mirafone's. If you play a BBb hardly anything will beat an old Conn or Martin. Especially a big old Conn with front action valves and an upright bell. These are hard to find, put present a whole different sound in the lower register, more so than a York-a-like. Dependent on your current axe, a change in mouthpiece may make a huge difference. Your best bet is to go to a place with lots of horns and mouthpieces with excerpts in hand and find out what works best. The key to low register projection and core is the effeciency of the horn's design.
Good Luck,
Matt G