davland Posted April 22, 2013 Share Posted April 22, 2013 I may be in the market for a couple of used marching tubas. Tell me what you like and don't like. Also, who makes the lightest marching tubas. I'm not interested in 3/4 tubas. Only 4/4. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cephas Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 Here's some of the things I have gathered through personal experience with these horns. Ergonomics: Yamaha - Lighter and well balanced. King - Lighter and forward balanced. Jupiter - Heavier and forward balanced. Intonation: Jupiter - Great open tuning King - Plays open F quite sharp. (You need to lip F down a lot or use a trigger) Yamaha - Good open tuning from my limited experience. I like everything about yamaha exept the left hand position. I don't like how it makes your frame look from in front. With kings your arms are in a more triangular position that matches the other brass better and IMO looks more schnazzy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShutUpAndPlayYerGuitar Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 I may be in the market for a couple of used marching tubas. Tell me what you like and don't like. Also, who makes the lightest marching tubas. I'm not interested in 3/4 tubas. Only 4/4. Thanks! Very limited exposure to Jupiter. I like the way it sounds, but that's about it. Haven't played or held current King/System Blue horns. I marched an early 2000s King tuba (the kind Phantom used in 2003) and it was a nightmare. The soldering on the bracings was almost non-existent. My two-year old horn was held together by zip ties at one point in the season. I currently use a the standard Yamaha marching tuba. It's the best. It's light-weight and balanced perfectly. Tuning is easy. My only complaint is I can never get a good low-C (first and third valves) pitch out if it ... it's a fight every time. Otherwise, it sounds great. My favorite part, though: it's sturdy as hell. I've used it since 2007 and other than some minor dents, it looks great. Not sure if you're looking for three or four-valve horns. Yamaha only makes the three-valve model. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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