Meinl-Weston travel tuba concert use

[pjv]

Steve Ferguson mentions on The Horn Guys site (where the M-W 14 is also sold) that it appears to him that the instrument is more cylindrical than conical. That might explain the very bass-bone-like sound. With a cylindrical bore, a f-bass bone bore size (.610) and a large tenor bone size bell (8 5/8") it probably should sound like a trombone.

-Pat

[Wyvern]

It reminds me of the sound of bass trombone in brass quintet.

I have heard that the travel tuba makes quite a good substitute for a Cimbasso which is bore out by this

I thought Ma Vlast a strange piece in which to use the travel tuba. From what I have played of the work, I would have considered it a contrabass tuba part

[finnbogi]

It reminds me of the sound of bass trombone in brass quintet.

I have heard that the travel tuba makes quite a good substitute for a Cimbasso

It seems likely to me that Harnoncourt, who appears to know exactly what he wants, preferred this bass trombone/cimbasso-like sound. I am also a fan of trombone ensembles, whether or not the bottom part is played on a tuba.

[MikeMason]

i vote no-go as a performance instrument.not satisfying for performer or audience...

[tubeast]

Hey Jon,

DON´T do it. This thing costs WAY more than a reasonable, REAL tuba for recreational use.
I experienced a former bandmate of mine who actually bought that thing and insisted to use it in concert ( massed concert band with 8-piece tuba section ).
BAD IDEA. Your score is marked "Tuba", not "Bass Trumpet". It had absolutely NOTHING to ADD to our sound.

On the manufacturers´ homepages, the broadcasted reasonable use for this kind of horn is to keep it in the hotel to have something reasonable to rehearse parts You as a pro haven´t memorized already, ´cause Your REAL horn is on the bus or at the concert hall already.

I DO believe, that this kind of instrument could be used for special occasions, but definitely not where a tuba is called upon.
The sticker on its case says "My other horn is a TUBA".

Best wishes

Hans