Texas Bandmasters, Nirschl prototype?

daktx2 · Post by **daktx2** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 12:05 am

At TBA this week, I played some good horns (both PT6's, the firebird, the 1292, and an incredible PT10) and some bad horns (a 54 J where the distance between the octave G's was closer to a major 7th than an octave) but there was one horn that stood out: Gemstone Musical Instruments' Nirschl prototype 4 piston Bb. The exhibitor said that the factory built model would hit the markets sometime next year at a price around 4000$! Not only is the price right, but it played like a charm! It was something like a 1291 or a 2341, only better in every way. It was extremely responsive, in tune (to my ears anyway), and had a really nice sound. It's the best Bb I have ever played, and was almost as good as that 1292 CC at the Miraphone booth. If the quality is like this and the price is that low, I honestly can't see a reason for Texas schools to keep buying 186's. Does anyone out there have any more information about this horn?

MikeMason · Post by **MikeMason** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 12:34 am

We've got one of the euphs in stock now.I haven't tried it.I look forward to getting a tuba to try.Right now I pretty much recommend the king 2341 to most of my high schools,with very few problems...

MikeMason · Post by **MikeMason** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 10:49 pm

No,It's set up differently.I'll check it out again sometime this week and report back...

Alex C · Post by **Alex C** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 11:53 pm

The Meister Walter Nirschl euphonium is set up as a 3+1 but is non-compensating. Gemstone music is putting a ton of work into getting production up to US standards. The 4-5 euph's I've seen are promising. Good pitch, good playing characteristics, good sound. Time will tell.

I think the MWN BBb tuba is quite good but I'd stop short of comparing it to professional model CC's. It should be competative with the King BBb's but comparing it to a 186 is like comparing apples and oranges.

TexTuba · Post by **TexTuba** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 11:01 am

Alex C wrote:It should be competative with the King BBb's but comparing it to a 186 is like comparing apples and oranges.

How so? I saw the horn, but I did not get to play it. If you could please elaborate, I would greatly appreciate it.

Ralph

Alex C · Post by **Alex C** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 11:10 am

The 186 is meant to be a German tuba. It gets a typical German sound (however you describe that).

The MWN tuba is a descendant of the York BBb tuba. It gets a typically American sound, so I think that it's easy to compare the King with the MWN.

The 186 has been around for a long time and is a solid instrument, especially for the school market. The MWN tuba hasn't even hit the market yet but the prototype is good. I'm looking forward to seeing the final product.

ASTuba · Post by **ASTuba** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 11:23 am

Anyone tried the compensating euphonium yet or no?