Posted by Lew on November 29, 2003 at 10:34:27:
In Reply to: is a 5th valve necessary? posted by Carlo Stanghellini on November 29, 2003 at 08:39:20:
I would recommend getting the 5th valve on this horn, especially for only 10% additional cost. The 5th valve will make many of the notes easier to articulate clearly in the "money" range for the type of ensembles you mention. If money is tight, you could get the 4 valve BBb 601 and do just fine in amateur groups. I agree with the other poster, this tuba is probably a little large for the type of playing you describe. A good 4/4 sized horn would be fine in any of these groups, either CC or BBb (or even Eb for that matter).