Discussion of tuba sizing

[bloke]

I suppose my only question is whether this makes tubas larger or smaller - along with whether the finish is lacquer or silver.
At least, it's faultless...and magic.

[pjv]

So there's no difference between a Yamaha YBB-103 and a Holton 345 size wise? If so, how would you explain it in professional terms other "smaller tuba" and "Bigger tuba" to someone wanting to buy one or know the difference? To the point of "less work" downsizing to a 5/4, that's VERY subjective based on how said horn's sound carries and can support the particular group said player is in wanting to downsize. Some 5/4 size horns are more work than a 6/4 but I digress.

"Whatever it means to you"....imagine if anyone selling anything ever had a customer ask them something specific about their product and they gave them this answer? I don't think you'd sell many of them.

We're dancing around words.
I never said a size difference between a 103 and a 345 is non-existent. I said I agree that the fractions ("professional terms"???) are useless INSOFAR that they are based partially on false assumptions; all of which have been thoroughly discussed by others in this post.

I also said that I use the fraction system because we all "generally" know what someone means.
The 103 exemplifies what I mean by "generally": is it 3/4 or 4/4? Depends who's answering, and THAT'S my point. (We certainly haven't established a norm on this board). But ok, it's smallish. Got that.

I'm glad you quoted my "downsizing" example. The assumption is absolutely subjective for all the obvious reasons, most of what you mentioned. That wasn't the point though.

When shopping around we tend to categorise. If you want an Eb tuba then you won't look at CC's (probably). If you want 6 valves you'll look for that. And if it's a travel tuba you'll stick to "travel tuba's" but...might also check out 3/4 tubas.
Aha, there it is: the fractions. What's a 3/4 tuba? NOBODY has the right answer but we all "generally" agree it's smaller than what most people use in large ensembles.

Very general. Lots of grey areas. Like describing the taste of wine.

You know what it means to you. Go with that and you're at least pointed in the right direction.

Now, imagine if we had a system to determine how well tuning is.
Grade A tubas. Or Grade F.
Imagine how much fun we'd have discussing those!

[bloke]

We never discuss intonation tendencies with specific models, because politics are banned here.
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Most of my various-length tubas are “pretty big“, as far as tubas are concerned.
As long as someone understands that I am neither understating nor overstating, I believe that’s just about as accurate as I can be - in regards to describing their sizes.
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Playing-prowess-wise, I would describe myself as “3/4”.
Musical-value-wise, I would describe most tuba solos as “1/4”.
Honesty-wise, I would describe most elected officials, bureaucrats, and media talking heads as “-7/4”…so is this being “political“, or is it simply doing a good job of applying mathematical measurement to things which do not lie within the realm of mathematics ?

[KingTuba1241X]

Very general. Lots of grey areas. Like describing the taste of wine.

You know what it means to you. Go with that and you're at least pointed in the right direction.

Now, imagine if we had a system to determine how well tuning is.
Grade A tubas. Or Grade F.
Imagine how much fun we'd have discussing those!

With that said, I still think we can find and come up with a universal system of classing tuba sizes, and ONLY size (not tuning or sound). If fractions are too complicated for some Right Brained individuals in the group (I get it) perhaps a simpler system of "Small, Medium, Large and Extra Large" could take the place of each of those fractions.

Yamaha YBB-103= Small
Miraphone 186= Medium
Willson 3050= Large
Miraphone/Cerveny Kaisers: Extra Large

and special category ULTRA size, like the Rudy 6/4.

[bloke]

gotcha AGAIN !!!

[KingTuba1241X]

Don't be tricked to jump in the "Stupid Hole", get as far away as you can right now.

it must be extra cold in some parts where people sit and post all day

[dp]

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pffft!

Do you want to contribute something interesting?

Ironically, we both contributed more to this thread than any other thread either of us commented on. You got me hands down with your FIFTY FIVE posts (55) to my (now) 4. I just read through much of more than a dozen pages on size, mountains of horseshit and much of it heaped by you. What a colossal waste of time. No, I seriously doubt I can contribute anything you'd find interesting. I also doubt you could motivate me enough to try. Now you know what "pfft" means. Short, sweet, to the point. -30-

[bloke]

For a long time, I suspected that PB is a fake username for someone who is actually knowledgeable and civil, when they use their normal login.
Mark… Brett… Bill… ??
One of you is playing us, yes?

[bort2.0]

For a long time, I suspected that PB is a fake username for someone who is actually knowledgeable and civil, when they use their normal login.
Mark… Brett… Bill… ??
One of you is playing us, yes?

Not it!