Posted by LV on June 28, 2002 at 18:07:28:
In Reply to: Advice on purchasing a C tuba posted by Doug on June 28, 2002 at 15:55:21:
Doug,
I will tread where the more intelligent have declined to go! These are just my own casual observations. My CC is a Rudy Meinl piston CC, so this is my frame of reference.
Conn 56J: Based (loosely?) on the "American" school, 4 piston valves, 1 rotor, Big, clear sound and free blowing.
Mirafone 188: 5 rotors and dare I say a distinctively more "German" sound and feel. To my ears, a little darker. Well made, seem to be consistant horn to horn. To me, not as free blowing.
PT4: Never played one for more than just a toot, but...
these seem to be also well made. If I were looking right now (yeah, right, I'm always looking!), I'd ask Jeff at Custom about the PT20 or PT20P (piston). These are a somewhat updated version of the PT4, with a slightly larger bell. (kinda like 52J vs 56J)
Good luck,
LV