Posted by Lew on December 24, 2002 at 19:40:12:
In Reply to: Re: Re: Besson Recording Tuba posted by Noname on December 23, 2002 at 23:22:57:
I have played both, and even played samples of each next to each other in a store. They are very different horns. The 641 is a tall rotary valve horn with a relatively small bell diameter. The 3301 has piston valves and a larger diameter bell. I have never liked any Yamaha 641 that I have tried. I find them to have a lifeless sound and not to be very responsive. By response I am talking about how quickly I can articulate a note on it. On the Yamaha I feel like I have to work hard to get it to speak.
The VMI 3301 is a responsive horn, with a nice full, colorful sound. The VMI buttons are large and relatively far apart and it has a realtively long valve stroke, both of which may be difficult to handle for smaller hands. There are horns that I like better, but it is a good choice for someone looking for a full size BBb tuba.