Quintet Survey: Contrabass or Bass tuba


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Posted by Matt G on April 17, 2001 at 07:02:53:

I was wondering what the general consensus was out there for their main quintet horn. I now own a tuba, which for me, seem to fit the bill perfectly (MW32 CC). I remember using an F in college but then switching back to a Mirafone 188-5U because the overall sound of the quintet was better out front. The F felt better initially, but the CC complimented the quintet better. I have found the main difference was the trumpet players feeling more relaxed and better able to "fit into" the bigger horn's sound. But my main question is what you guys feel is the best horn for the job? We all know if can be done a myriad of ways, i.e. John Fletcher played an Eb (possibly with a bigger bell?), Sam Pilafian played a MW2145 and now back to a Bill Bell Model MW, Warren Deck supposedly uses a MW2155 or 2000, etc. So...
Do you prefer a Bass or Contrabass?
What key is it in?
Whay do you choose it over another?
Or...
Do you bring both and in what keys?
And what is the determining factor in switching for a certain piece?

Thanks for any info.

Matt G


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