Posted by Lew on December 24, 2003 at 21:37:38:
In Reply to: Old Vs. New? posted by Trade-offs? on December 24, 2003 at 10:13:37:
I like older horns, but I do most of my playing on a relatively new King 2341. Given the availability of good piston or rotary valve BBb tubas today, there is no reason to specifically seek an older one. You can find many new great playing horns with excellent intonation. The King 2341, Meinl Weston 25 of Fafnir, Miraphone 1291, 186, 191, are just a few. Parts are readily available for newer horns, you won't have to worry about valve work or other work to make an older tuba playable, and newer models will be easier to find.
There are a few models no longer made that gave been ascribed outstanding playing characteristics, like the big Holtons, or old Conn grand orchestrals, but they are harder to find, and I see no reason to only consider them.