Oh man, this is difficult for me. Just going on the ones I've played.... Smaller-sized (3/4 -- 7/8) BBb: Miraphone 282. Medium-large (4/4+) BBb: VMI 2301/ B&S PT-1 [They all play a little different, but the great ones play very, very nice :smilie8: ] Buttery sound and response, easy pitch and we...

Very good 👍 Years ago, I was gifted an old beat up Conn 14k. Serial# puts it at 1955 manufacture. It even came with the old original red velvet lined case, which is in rough condition. I got all the major dents ironed out, some soldering, a replacement 3rd valve, new bell screws and replacement neck...

I really enjoy the old-old fat Eb tubas with 4 or 5 valves, usually with a more modern mouthpipe and cut slides where needed. Great sound and playing qualities for quintet and chamber groups!

I can usually just look at a tuba, and get a good idea if I will like it or not by the shape/dimensions it has. It will give me a good idea as to its tonal qualities/playing characteristics. That said, I like many different types of tubas even if some models are not popular, or have flaws. If it has...

I've had my (modified) 2155R for nearly 24 years now. Bought it in used, like-new condition in late 2000/early 2001. Played it through college, and in a regional orchestra for 4 years. Still use it every now and then, mostly for graduation quintet gigs. The sound is incredible -- very dense, dark an...

Those old Reynolds Contempora BBb tubas have to be amongst the tallest production tubas ever made

The new mouthpipe definitely sounds better. More centered sound and intonation.

I find the angled tuba/sousaphone front piston valves to be comfortable. Same for rosaries.

Top action pistons are gangly/awkward for me. They would be more comfortable if they were lower, on more compact tuba bodies.