The new VMI arrived today. I've loaded some pictures of the unwrapping ceremony here.
http://picasaweb.google.com/billeuph/Vmi
I've never unpacked a horn in its factory container, so it was an interesting experience. The truck arrived with the box on a pallet, so there wasn't any "this end up" issue. Inside the box is the largest assortment of bubble wrap and air bags I've ever seen, but no peanuts or foam.
One picture of interest is this comparison of the VMI 3301 and King 2341 (new style), the last one in the album. The VMI is taller, but the bell is slightly smaller. The VMI valves are MUCH larger, required for the larger bore. And the one odd feature of the horn is this odd tuning slide in the lead pipe on the back of the horn, as Rick Denney pointed out to me earlier. You can see this clearly in the third from last image.
The loop at the bottom of the lead pipe has a water key. Good thing, since this is where most of the draining has to be done. I must have emptied it 10 times in 2 hours of playing today, and none of the other water keys drained anything.
A first play test gave some surprises. I've always thought that the new King 2341's are about the easiest horns to play I've ever seen. I'd now say that the King is the second easiest horn to play. In spite of the larger bore, even the high notes on the VMI seem to slot better and play more securely. A great thing for an over-the-hill player like me. Sound is a bit warmer than the King, but not as much as I'd expected. The two horns sound more alike than different.
Mouthpiece selection was also interesting. I expected the German-made VMI to have a European, larger, receiver and the King to have a smaller, American receiver. Of course, I found out that the King has a larger European receiver when I bought it, and now I find that the VMI has the smaller American reciever, so my favorite mouthpiece for the King, a JK 4B, doesn't fit the VMI. So far, I've found that the good old Conn Helleberg is the best choice of the 6 mouthpieces I've tried. The sound is a bit too bright, but the response is really great, and I've always liked the Conn Helleberg feel. Any suggestions from you other VMI/B&S owners? I'd like a Helleberg-like mouthpiece that isn't as bright.
Back to the fun ....
Bill Anderson
New horn- with PICs
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billeuph
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bearphonium
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ken k
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imperialbari
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billeuph
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mouthpiece
A B&S 18, which looks nearly identical to the Bach 18 that I haven't used in years. It's interesting that the mouthpiece they provided is a large shank mouthpiece and doesn't insert fully into the receiver.
I never liked the feel of the rim on the Bach 18, so I didn't spend much time testing it.
Bill
I never liked the feel of the rim on the Bach 18, so I didn't spend much time testing it.
Bill
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The Big Ben
- 6 valves
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Re: New horn- with PICs
Thanks a lot, buddy... way to make us guys who didn't choose to get in on the deal feel bad...You could have at least posted a bad review...billeuph wrote:T
Back to the fun ....
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Nah, good on you. You got a great horn you like at a wonderful price. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!