Posted by Wade on February 09, 2004 at 16:33:06:
In Reply to: BAT? posted by Hello on February 09, 2004 at 13:10:27:
A "Big Ass Tuba" is usually the term applied to a tuba that is a copy of the two York tubas that were played by Arnold Jacobs in the Chicago Symphony. Also lumped into this category are most American 6/4 tubas that fall into the "Orchestra Grand" description; that is:
piston valves
giant bows and bell throat
Examples of BAT's are:
Jake's Yorks
Holton 345's York copy (more or less)
Those enormous Conns (both long- and short-stroke valves)
HB 50 York copy
Nirschel (sp?) York copy
Yamaha "Monica"
MW 2165/2265
This is not a complete list. But you can get an idea from it.
BAT's are the most limited tubas as far as applications. But when you need one, nothing else will work as well. They are great tubas to try to play, though most have ease-of-playing issues and require a lot of dedicated practice.
Combine the inappropriateness of their dominance in most ensembles with their (usually) very high price and you will understand why we all dream of owning these tubas even when we do not really or afford need them.
They are a whole class apart from the bulk of the tubas out there. When paired with the right piolet, they sound wonderful. But they overpoweringly "present" in anything but the largest groups.
Wade "don't really need one; can't really afford one . . . but still want one" Rackley