Posted by John on January 26, 2001 at 12:43:33:
In Reply to: Rudy Meinl F posted by CK on January 25, 2001 at 14:37:21:
Rudy Meinls, in my experience, vary more from instrument to instrument
than other makes, so it is difficult to generalize. They can be excellent horns.
You just have to try this horn with a range of mouthpieces to see if it will work.
Rudys have a distinct sound, and Rudy valves are very quiet in operation.
I find the new Miraphone F a little better buy as a new horn. It has, in my opinion, better response throughout the register, very good intonation, and about the best valves in the the buisness. It's the fastest tuba I've ever played.
I find the B&S PT-10 to be very good also, especially in the low register, but I find the piston valves very noisy and I prefer the sound of the Miraphone.
Overall, I think that the Meinl Weston 45SLP and the Miraphone are the best F tuba buys by far. The Meinl Weston appeals to those who like a bigger sound that's more like a small C tuba. The Miraphone sound is more like the traditional F tuba sound. Both are good horns. The Yamaha 822 is very good also, but more expensive.