Posted by Chuck K. on August 28, 2003 at 09:01:42:
In Reply to: Rudy Meinl 4345 piston posted by Mark on August 27, 2003 at 23:41:51:
I've played Winton White's 4345P quite a bit. I think it's a fantastic tuba. I prefer it to the Gronitz PCM and to the HB-2P. The RM's pitch is better than that of the HB or Gronitz. The RM's tone is more to my liking than the Gronitz, with the RM being darker & more colorful, in my opinion. I'm fairly certain that the RM projects better than the HB-2P. The RM is probably less forgiving than the other two, but I think that the tradeoffs are definitely worth it. The low register on the RM can be a bit stuffy, but that is very mouthpiece sensitive. A wide-throated mouthpiece makes the low register come out well.
I haven't spent much time on other large 4/4 piston tubas, but I am fairly confident in my assessment of these three horns.
flame away...
-ck