Posted by Chuck(again) on November 11, 2002 at 13:06:42:
In Reply to: Re: Tuba Quality posted by Rick Denney on November 11, 2002 at 12:26:50:
One thing not really brought out is that machine-made parts have the potential to be more uniform than the handmade versions. I'll bet the parts on those Indian "tuba-euphoniums" that one sees on a particular auction site are mostly handmade. So there's no inherent quality difference in merely being hand- or machine-made.
Some argue that handmade large bows are better because the result is better sonically. But I'd attribute that more to the finishing process than anything else. A hammered bow has to be burnished and sanded to remove hammer marks, and this process removes quite a bit of metal. So one either starts with thicker metal, or one settles for a thinner result. Clearly after finishing, the metal will be thinner in some places than others, and the finishing process probably figures more in any sonic consideration than does the actual forming process.
On the other hand, a bow that's been formed by hydraulics in a polished die is pretty much ready for buffing when it comes out of the forming equipment. The inside surface will also be smoother than a hand-hammered bow. A more uniform metal thickness may not be the best for tone and responsiveness, however.