Anyone familiar with a St. Petersburg 206-L 4-valve EEb tuba?

[scottw]

In my quest to go all Eb, I may have a chance to try one of these, but I have never played one, nor have I known anyone who did, either.
I can find only a new one listed at Tuba Exchange, but that is 5-valve. build? Intonation? Sound, etc?
Any thoughts?
Scottw

[LeMark]

Two things I disliked

I thought the tone was thin from bottom to top.

The throw for the 5th valve is very long

[scottw]

I'm told this one is a 4 valve, not a 5. It is also a used model, so it may be discontinued?

[gocsick]

I played one, but I am a hack so take my impression with a grain of salt. I thought it sounded fine, it didn't limit me in any way. Intonation was a lot better than my 3 valve Holton. Valves didn't feel particularly smooth. I borrowed it for an Octoberfest gig with lots of high parts. Through a comedy of errors the only mouthpiece I had at the gig was Bach 25, so I don't know if any squirliness was due to the small mouthpiece or the horn. Played the high stuff fine though.

The high school where my son goes has several of the BBbs and they do not hold up well to the abuse. They are all in desperate need of major repair at only a few years old.

[Bob Kolada]

The 5 valve version I played at Midwest like a decade ago was awesome. Great sound, very easy to play (felt like a piston horn) and it had a great low register. I liked it more than both Miraphone Stars, not sure if I played the rotary MW Eb.
They don't have a great reputation so it's possible I played the only good one, hand picked for the convention.

[Mary Ann]

Not sure of the model but a friend has an old 4 valve St Pete Eb. The valves are so bad it is hardly useable.