Visit to Alexander

[Wyvern]

This is the final report of my musical fantasy tour of Germany and Austria.

I had not planned to visit Alexander, but as I headed north on the autobahn I saw the signpost to Mainz and remembered that as the home of Alexander.

I was not in a particular rush to my next destination, so having heard of the special sound of Alexander on TubeNet, I headed into Mainz.

Alexander was found near the train station without too much difficulty (thanks to SatNav). I never got near any workshops, but just went into the shop. The ground floor was percussion and I was directed upstairs to the brass section. I asked if there were any CC tubas I could try, but they had none - they are only made to special order. However, I was taken into the playing room, given a cup of coffee (very hospitable) and two BBb were brought for me to try.

The first was a 163 4/4 size in gold brass which had obviously come straight from the workshops unfinished from looking at some of the solder joints and lack of a water key. However, it played very well with a definite distinctive spicy color to its tone. I do not know how it was for intonation as I did not have a tuner, but I can see why people love their tone.

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The second was a 164 Kaiser in yellow brass which was all finished and ready for shipping. I was asked be very careful, as it was already sold. Strangely, I did not think much of how that played. It did not have the tonal color of the 163 and I did not find the notes easy to slot (not being familiar on BBb may not have helped).

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I was given a cataloge and price list - for a 163 in gold brass with 5 valves, 11,300 euros. Delivery takes about 6 months from order.

I hope you enjoyed my reports. Germany and Austria are great countries for the tuba player to visit. I am already planning my next tour

[sc_curtis]

And I only count three reports. Did I miss one? (Or was the Austrian Band post the "missing" one? I thought that you meant four factory tours. Oh well . . . )

My next report will be of my visit to play with a band in Austria.

[Wyvern]

Just curious, but did Alexander not allow you into the factory? And I only count three reports. Did I miss one? (Or was the Austrian Band post the "missing" one? I thought that you meant four factory tours. Oh well . . . )

I never saw any sight of the factory at Alexander and did not ask, as they obviously do not produce much in the way of tubas today.

Yes, the Austrian Band is the "missing" post. Have to await another holiday for more factory tour reports!

[windshieldbug]

Thank-you very much, Jonathan, for taking the time to document and post this very excellent trip!

[Tubanese]

Nice...Thanks for sharing!

[jonesbrass]

I never saw any sight of the factory at Alexander and did not ask, as they obviously do not produce much in the way of tubas today.

Yes, the Austrian Band is the "missing" post. Have to await another holiday for more factory tour reports!

That's funny. The "factory" isn't a "factory" per se at Alexander, it's more of a workshop. As you were going up the stairwell (past all the musician pictures), there was a doorway right before you turn back toward the front of the store that leads to the workshop. It's right in back. More of a boutique operation, and like Rudy Meinl, they can make just about anything you want, because things aren't mass produced.
I've enjoyed your posts quite a bit. Thanks for the extra effort it took to post this stuff for us. I've enjoyed it quite a bit.

[iiipopes]

And again, thanks.

[The Big Ben]

I very much enjoyed the sharing of your trip. Kind of inspires me to maybe make such a trip myself...

[jonesbrass]

Alexander is a real made-to-order operation, they can make just about anything you want as long as you're willing to pay for it.
I say made-to-order because although they have "standard" models, they are not a factory production set-up like Miraphone or M-W. Not that any production model is better or worse than any other, it's just that places like Rudy Meinl and Alexander are more "boutique."