Thein Tubas?

[Matt G]

Always wondered about the 5V BBb or CC where the 5th valve was also a piston. I'm guessing copies of that horn are still in the single digits.

[tbonesullivan]

Always wondered about the 5V BBb or CC where the 5th valve was also a piston. I'm guessing copies of that horn are still in the single digits.

I had never seen that particular implementation of a 5th valve, until now. I guess you want a super consistent feel. Thein definietly seems to have some tubas that defy convention.

Regarding price, how much higher are they than say Hirsbrunner, another (now closed) bespoke instrument maker? I suspect the law of diminishing returns comes into play, however if you want something exactly how you want it, they can accommodate. That's what you're really paying for: that level of detail.

[bort]

As of 2016, the Thein CC cost about 33,000 euro.

[macbil]

There is an E flat in Denmark in the National Theater /Opera House. The owner was kind enough to respond to my inquisitive e-mail about it. It's a few years back. He had played Besson and Hirsbrunner (I think,if not a 'brunner then something else not a Besson) but liked the Thein instrument much better. He thought the Besson was a bit of a point and squirt instrument and liked the ability to shape notes into position with the Thein.
Pointing and squirting has its place though. I had a Brunner E flat for a number of years .It had a glorious sound, absolutely the best and I used it in orchestras and ensembles to some acclaim but more and more of my playing was in bands where I had to play lots of notes . Therein lay the problem! The wonderful sound was offset by some poor tuning towards the middle and top which was manageable when playing slowly but became a problem when shovelling notes was required .It gradually became a nuisance to play and I traded it for a modern York which I still have . It plays well in tune and has a terrific sound . Better than just about every Besson which I have played .
It's a question of having the right horse for the right course.
PS-- this post may have drifted a little from it's original thrust . I spotted that whilst typing!

[iiipopes]

They solder them together, add remedial "bits of brass" as needed, and charge a small fortune.

Thein and Variations...