Ever since I've learned of the existence of the French Tuba in C, I have wondered why it has gone 'extinct'.

As I see it, it is more versatile than a Euphonium, since it is able to play much lower. It is also more versatile than a Tuba, since it is able to play high register more easily (and easier to carry...). So why are these two different instruments used instead of just the one?

I do get that modern tubas have gotten bigger over the past decades (and I'm not sure if I am really happy with that development, but that is another discussion...) but somehow I keep wondering...what if instead of using those two different instruments, Tuba and Euphonium, Symphonic Wind Bands and maybe even Brass Bands start using 'French' Tubas in C for both parts?