Posted by Rick Denney on August 26, 2003 at 11:58:02:
In Reply to: Re: Re: Tuba metallurgics, carbon sousas posted by Art H on August 25, 2003 at 23:08:14:
Funny this should come up. As a result of a conversation between me and Chuck G, I measured up a Miraphone 186 bell to see if it would fit on my York Master (which is similar to and has the same bottom bow as a B&M 5500). It would. You'd have to trim it a few inches from the narrow end because the YM ferrule is bigger, but if you did, the bell would be the correct height. I've been tempted in sort of an academic way, because the Miraphone bell has a much faster taper and might well open up the sound a bit. The tubas that play and sound the way I like seem to share only one feature: A fast-tapering bell.
But you are right--I saw the Dixie Power Trio at the Army conference and Andy was playing a King. Considering the weight of the YM even with a Miraphone bell, I can imagine why he would do so; he plays standing up.
Rick "too busy and too fearful to conduct the experiment" Denney