Posted by Wade trying again... on February 09, 2004 at 16:48:06:
In Reply to: Re: BAT? posted by Wade on February 09, 2004 at 16:33:06:
Let me try again. Sorry.
A "Big Ass Tuba" is usually the term applied to a copy of the York tubas that were played by Arnold Jacobs in the Chicago Symphony. Also lumped into this category are any American 6/4 tubas that fall into the "Orchestra Grand" description; that is:
piston valves
giant bows and bell throat
Examples of BAT's are:
Jake's Yorks
Holton 345 York copy (more or less)
those enormous Conns (both long- and short-stroke valves)
HB 50 York copy
Nirschel (sp?) York copy
Yamaha "Monica" York copy
MW 2165/2265
This is by no means a complete list. But you get the idea.
In application, BAT's are the most limited tubas. But when you need that particular sound there is no substitute for a true BAT. They are great tubas to try to play, though many have ease-of-playing issues that require a lot of dedicated practice. (Intonation can be a bear, as well as response and soft dynamic control with the Conn's, for example.)
Their dominating timbre is inappropriate in most ensembles. Combine this with the (usually) very high price and you will understand why many of us dream of owning one of these tubas even when we do not really need them and cannot afford them.
BAT's are in a whole class apart from most tubas out there. When paired with the right pilot, they sound fat, happy, and wonderful. But they are overpoweringly "present" in anything but the very largest groups, even when played very softly.
Wade "don't need one, can't afford one, but still want one." Rackley