Re: fifth valves


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Posted by Lew on July 29, 2001 at 12:16:14:

In Reply to: fifth valves posted by Louis on July 29, 2001 at 09:26:47:

I have never encountered a piece where a 5th valve was essential on a BBb. There are a handful of notes where the 5th valve helps intonation and it can make it easier to reach certain pedal notes, but it's not essential.

I owned a VMI 3302, 4 piston with 5th rotor, and sold it because I liked the playing characteristics of my 4 valve horn better. I liked the VMI 3301 (4 valve) that I tried so I bought the 3302, but I didn't like it as much as the 3301. I don't know if the 5th valve had anything to do with it, but I found the 3301 more open and responsive. My conclusion was that it just isn't worth the extra $1000 or so that a 5th valve adds to the price of a BBb. The answer is totally different for tubas in other keys.


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