This is the problem with 3-valved Eb tubas: to some degree, intonation may be a bit wonky in places, and lack of the fourth valve may significantly limit range. It's fine for beginning students and for certain kinds of music, but for real tuba parts such as those encountered in community bands, it can be quite limiting. Similarly, for quintet work it may not work out well at all.
But I say "MAY significantly limit range" because especially in the case of 3-valve Eb instruments, this depends very much on the particular horn or model of the horn. The critical question is: "So how are the false ('ghost') tones on it?" Does it in fact have a reliable chromatic scale down to it's fundamental? My 1924 Buescher does (though its intonation in some places above the staff is a bit of an issue). What about this horn? Is that extra lower octave truly accessible? Or is this really a beginner's instrument suitable for middle school level tuba music and some other small group activities?
Last edited by ghmerrill; 04-08-2018 at 03:53 PM.
Gary Merrill
Wessex EEb Bass tuba (DW 3XL or 2XL)
Mack Brass Compensating Euph (DE N106, Euph J, J9 euph)
Amati Oval Euph (DE 104, Euph J, J6 euph)
1924 Buescher 3-valve Eb tuba (with std US receiver), Kelly 25
Schiller American Heritage 7B clone bass trombone (DE LB K/K10/112/14 Lexan, Brass Ark MV50R)
1947 Olds "Standard" trombone (Olds #3)