Posted by Steve Oberheu on February 28, 2000 at 14:56:02:
In Reply to: F comparisons posted by Curious F'er on February 27, 2000 at 23:53:47:
Out of the horns you listed, the piston Meinl-Weston is easily my favorite. The pistons are a little more forgiving than the rotors as far as centering dead on the note you're playing and it has a really great sound. It maintains a lot of the sound quality of the traditional German rotary F's.
PT's are pretty good, but I prefer the Rudy Meinl's or Meinl-Weston (or my very own lil Bohm and Meinl) when it comes to rotary F.
Other brand I'd recommend, if you have the money, is Hirsbrunner. The F tubas he's making now are incredible! Sound, intonation, workmanship, playability...it's all there. The only reason I would not get one is if you're specifically after a rotary F sound (and, of course, if you're short on cash :)). He makes rotary F's, but I've never tried one.
Happy hunting!