Posted by Doug Whitten on August 05, 2002 at 16:44:05:
In Reply to: F or CC? posted by me on August 04, 2002 at 21:25:30:
Many colleges do have quality BBb tubas, but I have seen very few (none actually) that have a stock of high quality CC tubas. I do see a bunch of very old 4 rotory valved CC mirafones and meinl-westons lurking in the basements of some schools. For band and orchestra at most universities a Contrabass (BBb or CC) is the preferred instrument.
Analogy: Trumpet players master the BBb trumpet first, then begin adding C, Eb, piccolo, and other instrument to their arsenal. A good 4/4 Contrabass tuba will be much more versatile that an F tuba for playing in college bands and orchestras. And if your plans are to just use the school's BBb for ensembles while learning F on the side, you may find yourself not playing your F much at all.
As has been mentioned before, call the tuba instructor at the school which you plan on attending and ask his/her advise. Perhaps the best thing you can do is save a little longer and make your purchase after you get a feel for what is expected.