D / DD tubas


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Posted by Marty Neilan on March 09, 2000 at 13:27:46:

I have thought about this for a long time, and with all this talk lately about cutting BAT tubas, I will post this question..........
There are D trumpets (and I love the sound they get cutting through an orchestra more than any other key trumpet!) Has anyone ever cut a CC tuba to DD? Roger Bobo had an F cut to G that he played on for some recordings.
I know what some people are saying - A DD tuba is almost the ame as an EEb - here's why I think it would be different:
A BBb / CC is a 'larger' tuba, an EEb / F is a 'smaller tuba'. A CC has the same start to finish as its counterpart BBb, only it does it in sixteen inches (correct me if I'm wrong) less. An EEb is usually a smaller leadpipe through smaller on the bell flair end. A DD tuba would be the same as a CC, only more compact.
Now, I am not saying cutting a BAT to DD, quite the oppossite. A medium CC, like a MW2145 or a Mirafone 184, even a 186, no bigger, would probably make the best candidate. Too small a donor, and that would defeat the purpose.
A DD would have a full tuba sound, but have a clarity and ease of playing unlike its comparable CC. A five or possibly six valve DD tuba would make a great all purpose horn.
Now, I will probably never have the money or tools tp try this myself, just fooling with mouthpieces has used all my disposable income and then some.

P.S. Please, no dirty jokes about D or DD tubas, I have probably thought of them all by now.



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