TubaForum.net

I've just recieved my Wessex 4 valve baritone and noticed that it comes with an extra, slightly larger 4th valve tuning slide. They say it's to improve intonation in some registers - has anyone got one of these and found it useful and, if so, what registers does it improve? So far, it seems to play in tune with the original slide, and I can't see why fitting a longer one would make any difference that pulling out the original would.
Any thoughts?

I don't know, but I'm going to guess:

I'm going to guess that the shorter slide plays (all: low range) F, E, E-flat, and D better in tune, and that the longer slide plays D-flat, C, and B-natural better in tune.

It seems to me that - once you become accustomed to the instrument - your own playing, your own ear, and tuning device will answer this question for you.

Thanks. I'm just a bit surprised that's there no information about it either on their website, the description of the instrument and the lack of it in their reply to my query. No doubt it'll all come clear in the end.

My instinct would be to return it. Sounds like a “patch” to me.