Yeah, the old B&S PT-1, VMI 2103/103, are all the same model tuba with the only difference in the PT-1 having a 19" bell, the VMI 103 a 17.7" bell. Otherwise same exact tuba. The larger bell of the PT-1 in particular will round out and broaden the sound a bit. It's actually a pretty smooth, round sounding tuba for a typical rotary BBb. Maybe not quite the 'horsepower' of the MW-25, but maybe a little more subtle, buttery quality.prodigal wrote: Thu Apr 16, 2026 9:01 am
As of yesterday, I will say that the B&S PT-1 is a fine BBb tuba!
I'm beginning to really believe that B&S tubas are the most efficient for dynamics and tone per cubic liter of air blown through them. The PT-1 doesn't seem anywhere near as much of an air hog as it should be, it feels far larger than a 186 BBb. You really have to work to make its teeth show, which can be good and bad, but it has a large deep voice for its size.
I don't think the outer bows are any larger than the Mira 186, but it's a more open, larger wrap on the PT-1/103. And the PT-1/103 is a tall tuba, with the PT-1 in particular having a larger bell than the Mira 186. So the PT-1 definitely looks and feels larger. Only thing is the PT-1/103 tubas all play a little different, but all good. Some can be superb
