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I'm interested to hear if anyone has compared the Meinl Weston Tuono and the B&S MRP?

How do they compare? Sound, Intonation, playability?

Many thanks,

JC

The MRP is bigger. Physically and sonically. I've owned a Thor, not a Tuono, but they're pretty similar. I picked the MRP because it had that sound.

Intonation is very good on both. It really depends on the specific example you get your hand on, but neither model has a reputation of poor intonation.

As far as playability, the 5450 models are easier to play in my opinion. The MRP isn't hard to play, but it took longer to figure out than the 5450. No big deal to me. The 5450's have an easier low register that doesn't take any getting used to. Once you play on it for a few days, you'll find zero issues.

The biggest difference to my ear is the sound. The MRP just has a bigger sound. It's less direct, more comparable to a 6/4 than a 5/4. The small bell 5450 I owned didn't sound nearly as big and had an edge to it I didn't much like. The 19" bell 5450 models are what I would consider. Although to me they sound a bit smaller than the Pt-6 or 6P. YMMV.

…and maybe add:

vs. PT-6 (rotary)

Hi All

Have to put in a vote for the Thor. In the last half of this season and over the summer I have used mine in quintet gigs as well as subbing and extra work with Chicago, Lyric, Grant Park and Indianapolis including big works like Mahler 5, Alpine….

The Thor I have used to be sousaswags!

I owned a couple MRPs. While the sound might be a little prettier I found the low range and intonation of the Thor to be quite helpful. Mouthpiece choice can very much help take some of the “hammer” out if desired…

Yeah… I’ve been on a B-flat craze lately, but my very early 5450 with an 18 inch bell (and - I guess - a few modifications) is not for sale. I use a mouthpiece that is about 1/8 inch deeper than what would be considered “regular deep“ to bring the sound into a more typical “5/4“ type of sonority (and unlike the typical extra-deep cup tuba mouthpiece, it does NOT feature a stupid large throat opening).

Matt was not an early convert to this model, so it’s interesting to see him champion it.

As far as the larger bell and rotary version is concerned (though this model originated from an out-of-tune rotary instrument known as the 2155R), it’s not for me. …but as Matt Walter says: every tuba has someone’s name on it.

My 5450 IS a great tuba if money were no object I’d own all the stuff I previously sold!

I think a better comparison is MRP vs PT-6… in that regard I’d still pick the MRP.

Where the 5450’s have the edge for me is that low register. Stupid easy. Also, really consistent pitch.

Both B&S’s just have a sound that I prefer. Pick your poison. Both are EXCELLENT tubas.

For this truly unique and excellent instrument, use the RT-50L intermediate-weight shell mouthpiece. By experience, this is a winner combination.

Bob Tucci

I prefer Acme Music Store Rocket-Atomic Valve/Rotor/Slide/Bearing Oil with my Jean Baptiste E-flat pocket tuba.