Posted by Dale Phelps on September 01, 1999 at 18:13:09:
In Reply to: Survey for 6/4 CC players posted by anon on September 01, 1999 at 14:03:51:
Q: At what point did you switch to 6/4 from whatever you were playing?
A: Depends what you mean by "switch." I bought a "legit" 6/4 horn last month.
But I do not use it as my only tuba.
Q: Why did you switch?
A: I really missed producing a certain depth or "presence"
that I had with another big horn previously, and the ease
with which I could produce that type of sound.
Q: What do you play now, what did you play before?
A: I recently got a "Jacobs-model" 6/4 Holton,
which is a PERFECT compliment to my main horn,
a 70's Marzan/Bohm&Meinl ("5/4"??) Both are pitched in CC,
up to a year ago I played a Mirafone 184 and a BIG Cerveny-Ziess (both BBflat)
Q: Based on your experience at what point would you recommend
someone who wants the biger tuba sound to switch?
A: Generally I would NOT recommend it to anyone I am close to
who are current students, and two of them are REALLY good students!
BUT if you are convinced YOU need one,
and your teacher is not vehemently opposed,
AND you can afford to have at least 2 tubas,
AND can justify the expenditure...then go ahead, I guess.
Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my Holton, I also LOVE my B&M,
but I enjoy the luxury of no wife, no kids, a small mortgage,
a good job, and LOTS of playing opportunities on the community level.
When I nearly passed out after doing Pines of Rome last spring,
I got earnest in the quest for a big horn again, and I lucked out,
the good ones are honestly as rare as hen's teeth.
ps...the g/f commented about having "13K tied-up in tubas"
but I didn't point out the cost of sewing materials and equipment
she has, or the fact that my salary is prolly 4x hers
....no point in trying to convince her, besides, it IS my $$ you know?