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I mainly play a C tuba because it is the first horn I bought when I was in college. It was a good horn - Mirafone 186 - and it motivated me to practice. I own many horns, some great, some sucky. Most of the time I play my C tubas, but I do have a BBb that is wonderful that I love to play. Which is better? The good quality ones.

bloke wrote: ↑Wed Sep 14, 2022 7:05 pm ➜...but band students play B-flat tubas (only) and band directors teach B-flat tuba (only).

I bought my first C tuba, mostly on a whim, because a local high school kid (or his parents) were selling it for a great price. Andhe had it because his private lesson teacher convinced them that if he was serious and wanted to be a tuba player beyond high school he should have a C tuba. He ended up liking the school-owned big rotary Bb tuba instead, so I got a great deal on the C.

Pressure on high school kids to try C tubas must be pretty rare, but here's an example of it happening, and it may happen a surprising amount where there are families able to commit some money to helping their kids act like they're super-serious about band.

I was motivated to practice when I got a brand new C tuba at age 17, but I think I would’ve been just as motivated to practice had I gotten a brand new B-flat tuba (particularly if my teacher had also been playing a B-flat tuba).

That particular C instrument was a 4-valve 186 that had a fairly flat open G and a fairly flat open E (as these instruments weren’t as consistent decades ago as they are now). Of course, low F became less reliable - having to use a work-around fingering (124). Sometimes, I wonder if I would’ve done better buying a nice brand new King B-flat, except for the fact that they were still making the 1241 - which featured #1 and #3 circuits which were way too long.
The Miraphone 186 B-flat featured/features a mostly inaccessible #4 slide, and I’m not sure if they ever made it to where it can even be pulled out to play 2-4 in tune.
“Back in the old days“ there just weren’t as many tubas that were as easy to play.

Note that the OP already owns a BBb tuba considered by many as a "pretty good tuba": Wessex's HB clone "Lucern". He really doesn't need a different BBb tuba!

The band director part: I played in school band and my jr. high teacher played trumpet and my HS band director played reeds. When trying to explain a part, they both picked up their trumpet or clarinet which was next to their music stand and demonstrated. The HS director was a very strong reed man (first call player in the Seattle union) and would point that clarinet right at you and play along with a loud, shrill tone you could hear and maybe understand what you should be doing. You can't really pick up a tuba and demonstrate a part. From my experience, a director needs to have a trumpet (or small reed instrument) to demonstrate parts to the band.