Posted by Doug Whitten on February 17, 2004 at 14:10:23:
In Reply to: Schmidt tuba or St. Pete posted by Ralf on February 17, 2004 at 13:26:17:
I would not recommend St. Petes for a school setting. There is a very vocal contingency of players who believe that St. Petes are terrible horns. However, everyone that I know who playes them are pleased with the sound. The reason I would stay away from St. Petes is that they seem to have inconsistent, and some times poor, construction. Other complaints I have heard is that the valves are not very good. For a personal horn, St. Pete may be a valid option, but in a school setting, they may be more trouble than the slight short term financial saving.
Schmidt and other VMI manufactured horns seem to have a good reputation. Another option to consider is the King 2341 piston tuba.