Posted by Lew on July 24, 2002 at 07:17:57:
In Reply to: bell size posted by Wes on July 24, 2002 at 01:09:00:
You really need to try to find a way to play it yourself, especially before investing that kind of money. I have played the 191 side by side with the 186 and can say that I prefer the 191. It has a shorter bell, that allows the player to hear the sound more clearly. It also appears to have a fuller sound, but not muddy, and no problem with projection. The 19" bell of the 191 is not particularly large. It's an inch smaller than on my King 2341, and the King is a shorter horn. I have always found the 15" to 17" bells of most rotary valve tubas to be too small for my taste. I find the 191 to be one of the best rotary valve BBb tubas that I have tried.