Initial Impression: Hirsbrunner HBS-193

[Rick Denney]

All very cool, and thanks for the info on the CC.

That is a VERY tall tuba... Rick, I hope you are a tall person!

I'm tall enough, but I use a stand and the critical dimension is the bottom bow to the mouthpipe. The leadpipe on this one has been repositioned, with the result that it is not at all top-heavy and it balances on a stand perfectly. In fact, I took it to rehearsal last night and the ergonomics were excellent--certainly better than the Holton (which, granted, isn't saying much). I do love the Hirsbrunner thumb ring.

Rick "whose section mate also has a brand new gold-brass 5-valve Miraphone 187 that was also delivered at the Army conference" Denney

[Rick Denney]

Rick "whose section mate also has a brand new gold-brass 5-valve Miraphone 187 that was also delivered at the Army conference" Denney

I smell "avoidance of one-upmanship...or - at the very least - an arms escalation"

No special effort needed to avoid those errors--we were giggling at each other right through the rehearsal last night. Neither of us would prefer the choice the other made, but we were equally pleased (without showing it to an unseemly extent) when a trumpet player turned around and said, "You guys rock!" Of course, that means we were delivering more of what trumpet players like, which does require some consideration.

Rick "noting that we made our decisions independently" Denney

[Watchman]

On another note, anyone think the Hirsbrunner website has been updated in the last 15 years?

[bort]

On another note, anyone think the Hirsbrunner website has been updated in the last 15 years?

I think it's a litle like the town with two barbers -- do you want the one with the good haircut, or the one who gives the good haircut? I know, that's ridiculous, because it's not like Herr Hirsbrunner is the person who is making the Web site. Point is, pretty Web sites aren't what sell new tubas. Used tubas, maybe. But not new ones.

[pgym]

On another note, anyone think the Hirsbrunner website has been updated in the last 15 years?

Well, since the Players page lists Ryan McGeorge as a member of The President's Own, and Ryan didn't join TPO until 2004, yes, I do.