Posted by Bjorn Halvorsen on May 30, 2003 at 03:43:40:
In Reply to: 5th valve on Bb and Eb tubas posted by Mark Preece on May 30, 2003 at 03:01:03:
I've owned a B&S 3105 BBb for a year now. This is a rotary five banger, and I just love the set up. The fifth (flat whole step) IS a necessity. Playing in a brass band there's lot of 8va'ing and such. With this horn I have no problem alongside the compensating 3 + 1 Bessons (Had one of those myself, but sold it. The thingy almost ruined my back). I ordered my B&S with that nicely working trigger for the second valve slide, which comes in handy at times. You probably know, as you play the 5198.
To sum up: 1. Advantages? It can be made to play in tune (!). 2. Feels more "open" in the low range than comp. tubas. No big deal though. Don't know of any disavantages at all.
3. Can't respond to that.