Posted by Chuck on August 29, 2000 at 11:47:52:
In Reply to: Re: Re: Compensating system. posted by Steve C on August 29, 2000 at 02:23:07:
Pretty much what I said, though not precisely the equivalent. Something like the Alex or Gronitz double tubas would be more on the mark, with double rotary valves and a separate set of slides. The comp system gives one the equivalent length of the lower tuba, but at a fairly steep penalties of a longer cylindrical section (immaterial on a French horn, but important on a tuba) and a much more contorted air path (which is why comp horns tend not to be as free-blowing as non-comps).
The benefit is reduced weight over a real double.
As an aside, has anyone ever heard of a rotary valve compensating tuba? Should be possible, but I've never seen one.