MW 2145 CC

TexTuba · Post by **TexTuba** » Tue Jun 07, 2005 4:53 pm

Yes. I got to play one at TMEA and it's just great. That statement is quite accurate IMO. My only thing was that I couldn't really find a way to hold it. What I'm saying is that the tubing is kind of all over the place in the back to where you couldn't really grasp on something. Then again it could be because I'm quite big.

If I could only have one horn I would seriously give that one a look. Even moreso with the 2155.

Ralph

tubaaron · Post by **tubaaron** » Tue Jun 07, 2005 5:01 pm

I play a 2155, similar in design i guess? I hated the design of the slides! Like it was really tough to get to the valve caps should you wanna open it up and clean it, which brings me to the next point - MW vavles tend to get sticky rather easily. You gotta clean thoroughly often...and yet it's tough...Life~

tubaaron · Post by **tubaaron** » Tue Jun 07, 2005 5:02 pm

Great sound though...left that out~ hah.

MartyNeilan · Post by **MartyNeilan** » Tue Jun 07, 2005 5:10 pm

If you were to have just one tuba to do everything, the MW2145 ranks high on the list. I feel it has a darker sound and holds together at louder volumes than a Mirafone 186, in fact it is nearly impossible to make the sound "break" on it when using a large mouthpiece - even a 188 has a breaking threshold. I had one with the so-called Large Pistons and had no serious problems with the valves; I found Hetman light piston oil worked good on it. I am only 5'7" and had NO ISSUES with the spread of the valves, but I do have long fingers despite my height. The rotor was a dream. The horn is very free blowing for a 4/4, and the low register is very open. I had to cut the main slide and the first slide, but after that with only a few alternates and very minimal slide pulling I could get every note easily in tune top to bottom. The same cannot be said for many other horns I have played.
This is the perfect quintet / small-medium ensemble CC. Many guys even get by with these in larger bands and orchestras. My only gripes with the horn were that I felt it would be more responsive and have more "color" if it wasn't made of tank gauge brass, and the bell could be about another inch bigger; the sound can be described as "compact." For solos I may personally want a horn with a little more "color" hence my eventual purchase of a rotary F. I never had a problem being "loud enough" but eventually I wanted to go back to a "bigger sound" - my previous CC was a 5/4 and I eventually followed this one with another 5/4. If I had the money, I would still have my 2145 and use it for an "in the middle" horn. The previous owner felt exactly the same way, and almost bought it back.
The current owner is very happy with this instrument. FWIW, this was one of the better 2145's out there, like most horns they do vary.

Ace · Post by **Ace** » Tue Jun 07, 2005 8:16 pm

I would echo what Marty says above about the Meinl Weston 2145. I used mine for five years in a 65 piece orchestra, and had no trouble with works such as Shostakovich 1: Thaik 4,5; Hindemith's Metamorph; Elgar's Enigma; R. Strauss' Death; Saint Seans 3; etc. The horn was compactly wrapped, but the metal was thick and quite heavy making it a chore to lift. Also, the span of the pistons was a bit much for me. I used a PT-50 mouthpiece on the horn, and that combination produced what my conductor thought was an ideal orchestral tuba sound (at least for a medium-size orchestra). I doubt this horn could hold its own in a really large orchestra. Intonation was great except for the in-staff D and top space G----common alternate fingerings solved those problems. Having recently taken a position as second trumpet in the orchestra, I sold my 2145. I should have kept the horn, at least for use in my quintet. All in all, IMO it's one of the best and most versatile tubas on the market.

Tubaguyjoe · Post by **Tubaguyjoe** » Tue Jun 07, 2005 11:14 pm

i have a 2145 for sale if you would like to come play it. Its a great horn that was chosen by warren deck a while back. Its in great condition bought almost 4 years ago email, tubaguyjoe@hotmail.com

TonyZ · Post by **TonyZ** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 10:19 pm

One of my students just purchased a 2145 from Dave Fedderly and we couldn't be happier. The horn really barks, the sound projects very well, and it fits most any situation. And Dave Fedderly is great to work with!

MartyNeilan · Post by **MartyNeilan** » Thu Jun 09, 2005 9:53 am

I put plastic coated Yamaha springs from Lee Stofer and synthetic Besson "felts" from Matt Walters in my 2145. Coupled with new valves guides, the piston noise was substantially reduced.

adam0408 · Post by **adam0408** » Fri Jun 10, 2005 4:15 pm

I really liked the 2155, but found the 2145 to be less desireable. The 2155's price was a big factor in me deciding not to buy it. As many will no doubt say, you cannot go wrong with a 1291.

Arthur plays tuba · Post by **Arthur plays tuba** » Sun Jun 12, 2005 6:26 am

I haven't played the 1291 before, is it the same as the other Miraphone horns? I don't like the feeling and intonation of the 186.