Posted by Matt G on May 12, 2001 at 18:12:55:
In Reply to: Meinl-Weston 25 posted by Emily Fogg on May 12, 2001 at 14:22:07:
Call Matt Walters right now!
If he still has the MW25E (5 valve) BBb in store, this would be an excellent option. If I were to own a BBb for 90% of my playing, this would be the one. Why? Because it feels a little more open than the standard 25, it has a great "Alex" type sound that works well in many ensembles. It plays reasonably in tune, and the slides are easily accessable to "tune on the fly". Last but not least it has 5 valves! This allows you to have a real low B natural above the Bb fundamental, and it gives you another set of alternate fingerings. The MW18 is a very nice little horn with a lot of punch to the sound, but I don't know how well it would hold up in larger ensembles soundwise. The 25 would be useable until the advance solo literature, upon which it is better to look into buying a bass tuba (Eb or F) more suitable for the literature.
Good Luck!
Matt G