Posted by Kenneth A. Wolcott on March 19, 1999 at 15:23:41:
In Reply to: Re: vmi 2103 -- is it the best new tuba for $3000? posted by Jay Bertolet on March 19, 1999 at 11:31:57:
Hi;
Vince from the Tuba Exchange just called me back and we chatted about the St.
Petersburg quite a bit. He says that the three problems that I've heard about them
have been fixed quite some time ago.
The three problems (that Charlie told me about) were:
1> black spots (moisture getting under the finish);
2> brass too thin (not structurally sound, creases when you look at it?!);
3> valves not seating properly, etc (very serious design/manufacturing faults);
Now he says that the VMI tubas have a smaller bore, therefore harder to play in the
lower registers. This might also be known as "stuffy" or "unresponsive" or "balky"?
Also, something to the effect of not being "well-tempered"...not all notes have the same
sound quality, even if in the same register (?) Finally he said that it seems really
hard to play a VMI in tune and that the St. Petersburg seems to be "well-tempered", is
very easy to play in tune, is very responsive (not "stuffy"), and responds very well in
the lower registers due to the larger bore.
So, it looks like I have to try both instruments?
Who has more hype, Charlie (Woodwind and Brasswind) or Vince (TubaExchange)?
Vince says that Jim Self plays the SP and loves it.
Are these the only two new non-toy, non-garbage tubas that are in the $3000 range?
Should I contact another firm?
I have doubts now whether to buy either one :-(
Ken Wolcott