When does an F tuba sound like fiberglass sousaphone?
Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2021 1:58 pm
Answer: always, as long as it’s the same player playing them.
I listened to a recording of a brass quintet gig I did last year. I as 2 axes that day.
For the virtuous stuff I used my Melton 4260. But there was some moving around we had worked into the gig (piano was in the back of the hall for one number, etc) and I liked the idea of bringing something longer than an F for some bass line tunes (easier valve mashing) so I brought my Conn 36K as well.
Now I knew that I would hardly hear a difference between the two but I didn’t think it would be sooo pronounced. The bass notes are sometimes (but not always) fuller on the sous. Also it’s an acoustic gig recorded with 2 air mics, so the Sous is a bit louder. But that’s basically it.
One is a state of the art 6 valved tuba which cost around $7000 and the other is a band instrument made of fiberglass which cost $400 and I can’t hear the difference. Pfffff
I listened to a recording of a brass quintet gig I did last year. I as 2 axes that day.
For the virtuous stuff I used my Melton 4260. But there was some moving around we had worked into the gig (piano was in the back of the hall for one number, etc) and I liked the idea of bringing something longer than an F for some bass line tunes (easier valve mashing) so I brought my Conn 36K as well.
Now I knew that I would hardly hear a difference between the two but I didn’t think it would be sooo pronounced. The bass notes are sometimes (but not always) fuller on the sous. Also it’s an acoustic gig recorded with 2 air mics, so the Sous is a bit louder. But that’s basically it.
One is a state of the art 6 valved tuba which cost around $7000 and the other is a band instrument made of fiberglass which cost $400 and I can’t hear the difference. Pfffff
I believe we tend to over-think what OTHERS hear in the resonance of our various tubas.