pic comparison: 4/4 vs. 5/4 recording basses (King vs. Reynolds)

[arpthark]

I have a King 1240 and a Reynolds Contempora both on hand, and both made about 7 years apart. If you ever wondered how much bigger a Reynolds is than a King, or why the Reynolds is sort of considered 5/4-ish size (vs. the 4/4 size and more common King), here ya go:

Interesting that the Reynolds doesn't really seem too much "thicker", tubing diameter-wise, but is quite taller, bigger and heavier.

[Jperry1466]

As I recall, Rex Conner had a high opinion of those Reynolds recording tubas.

[arpthark]

I prefer the sound of the Reynolds, but the King is much more nimble and, even with three valves, intonation is less suspect.

If I were the only tuba at an outdoor concert, I'd bring the Reynolds. If I were in a section (as I am), I'll bring the King.

[LargeTuba]

Ive always thought those 4/4 kings play really nice!

[bloke]

Yeah. The Reynolds sonority is better, but the King intonation is way better.

It's difficult to find them with pistons in good condition, but Reynolds 4-valve valvesets are probably better for projects instruments (as long as those projects end up being better than the Reynolds tubas from which they were harvested), because the Reynolds valveset config is a nicer and more classic config.

[Breavdah]

Sure the Reynolds is fatter. Look at the bottom bow, it's a thick boy. And with the crazy long bell, the end of the bottom bow is like the center of the bottom bow on an average tuba. So fatter even than it seems.

You don't like the intonation? Don't you have the first valve trigger? What you do is flip the widget on the tuner backwards, so you pump it with your left thumb with your left hand in the normal obvious grab spot. And you DO need to be pumping and thumping that thing. But it works. Don't forget to push out for G, as much as C and B.

[arpthark]

Sure the Reynolds is fatter. Look at the bottom bow, it's a thick boy. And with the crazy long bell, the end of the bottom bow is like the center of the bottom bow on an average tuba. So fatter even than it seems.

You don't like the intonation? Don't you have the first valve trigger? What you do is flip the widget on the tuner backwards, so you pump it with your left thumb with your left hand in the normal obvious grab spot. And you DO need to be pumping and thumping that thing. But it works. Don't forget to push out for G, as much as C and B.

My point being, at a glance, both being tall-bodied, and sort of skinny, the Reynolds doesn't seem that much thicker; but as you say, it definitely is.

If you look at the photo, you'll notice the tuning mechanism has been removed, unfortunately.

[York-aholic]

Two good looking horns!

[bloke]

I believe I detect a Reynolds lover up there somewhere. I think they look good with recording bells, and I don't mind working on them at all.
I'm leaving ownership of them to others.

[arpthark]

I believe I detect a Reynolds lover up there somewhere. I think they look good with recording bells, and I don't mind working on them at all.
I'm leaving ownership of them to others.

It's a blast to play, but with a sonority that (for me) verges on "tubby" with the recording bell. The Symphony mpc I use zings it up a bit. I have an upright bell here as well, lacquered, that I haven't messed around too much on.

[bloke]

Turn the recording bell in that goofy direction (back to the left) that mostly closely resembles "upright".

You'll then be able hear how it really sounds.