Posted by Lee A. Stofer, Jr. on May 29, 2001 at 14:14:14:
In Reply to: Holton Phillips Model posted by Graham W. on May 25, 2001 at 23:40:22:
Graham,
I would caution you not to make your decision only on other's opinions. I have played the Phillips model CC at the Holton factory, and the model I played played very well. Had one been available to me in college (we used serpents back then), I could have performed anything I needed to on it. But, my personal preference and taste lies more with large CC or BBb tubas, which seem generally easier for me to play. If you practice diligently, you could play it all on a Conn 20J with a Conn 2 mouthpiece. I'd suggest trying every horn, new or used, and every type of horn that you can. The investment of doing some traveling if necessary to try different instruments will not only give you a greater experience base as a tubist but help you determine what works best for you, so you don't end up with something you don't want, can't afford, or both.
-Lee