Searching for "That Sound"

[Stryk]

In college, I tried so hard to emulate "that sound" my teacher had on his Alex and was never able to achieve it on my 186. Fast forward 40 years - I bought an an Alex BBb about 5 years ago and BOOM, there was that sound! I have tried hard, but cannot become nearly as fluent (fingerings) on that BBb as on my C. A few months ago, I picked up a vintage 186C- the same vintage I owned 40 years ago in college. It, too, just didn't sound like that Alex no matter how hard I tried to make it do so. It had pitch issues, or so I thought. Turns out, I was trying to tell it what mouthpiece I wanted it to conform to. When I picked up a Sellmansberger Solo, the pitch issues disappeared except for very slight movement of the first slide (excluding Db below the staff), but I sounded even less like I wanted to sound. Friday, I was practicing, and my wife said, "I really like it when you play the Alex, it just sounds so much better than that brash Mirafone." I was playing the Mirafone, not the Alex. Perhaps what @bloke has said quite a few times really is true - the sound depends a lot more on what you give the horn than on the horn itself. Is it possible that at age 63, I continue to learn and evolve? I think so.

[bort2.0]

I still think you should try out an Alex 163 CC when you have a chance. Intonation won't be point and shoot to the extent of the 186... But it's really not bad at all on some of the older Alex's. Some, though... Yes, they aren't as good.

But if you want "that sound," then you should use "that tuba." Which I know completely contradicts what you just said above, haha.

And even more contradictory, I think I sound pretty much the same on every tuba I play. But in the sense of, in real life, Bort still acts like Bort, regardless of if I'm wearing jeans and a t shirt, a business suit, or ratty clothes while doing yard work. Slight differences, but the same stuff inside. Now, my Alex and former PT7 have distinctly different sounds, but you'd still easily tell it's me if you heard the two.

Good luck, Terry!

[LargeTuba]

I'm a young and un-experanced musician but whenever I listen to a profession tuba I very rarely think, "hey that sounds like a york," I almost always think, "hey that sounds like gene pokorny."

I think Chris Olka really shows this off with his tuba reviews on youtube. He sounds ever so slightly different on varying instruments but he always has that amazing Chris Olka sound.

But again I might not have the power to pick up on the nuances that more experianced tuba players can hear.

[Stryk]

I still think you should try out an Alex 163 CC when you have a chance.

I'd love a chance to try one out, but in the south, they are almost non-existent! It is a rare bird, anyhow. I will continue the quest and if a NICE one falls into my lap, kinda like yours did, I will likely buy it. The one we discussed just had way too many question marks surrounding it. For now, given what my wife said, I can be content with my lowly 186, probably adding a 5th valve to it.

[bort2.0]

^ You have a very good plan, sir!

[bloke]

Mrs. bloke - when either critically listening to or overhearing tubas/mouthpieces - will always choose clarity over fog, I have noticed.
...the stubby/wide-belled 1960’s “student” model Holton (that I am reconfiguring - documented in another forum)... I liked it right out of the box… all beat up…clanky (formerly outfitted with) top-action valves…loose braces…and all...and she did too...
I was surprised that I liked it, and even more surprised that she did. The sound is not “fog“, but “nice“...which is why I’m exploring what can be done with it.
I wish the project were completed. I know I’m supposed to enjoy the journey, but I never particularly have, and much more enjoy having arrived.

[Doc]

Terry,

Have you tried one of the newer 163 CC's? They are supposed to have some changes that allow for very good/workable intonation. Not many of those floating around used, and they are quite expensive if purchased new (finding an older Alex that is a "good one" that isn't worn out is not easy either). But a few honks on one of the newer models might be satisfying. You might even decide to sell everything and get one. Or not. But at least it might give you a sense of what is possible.

Doc (who would buy a new 164 BBb if he had big money)