Best BBb "Price no issue" tuba

[Rick Denney]

So - the Rudy Bayreuth 5/4 it is. The one I tried in Germany was definitely the most in tune of all the instruments I have tried in this hunt, plus its responsiveness at all dynamics and in all ranges was also much superior to anything else.

The 5/4 Rudy is a great tuba. But did you try the Meinl-Weston Model 195 (or, if you are prepared to pay such high prices, the handmade Hilgers version of that model)?

I wouldn't want to choose a money-is-no-object large rotary BBb tuba without at least a blow on a Fafner.

Rick "whose Holton is anything but brassy" Denney

[jonesbrass]

I've been to Rudy's shop and had the same experience. I don't think you could really go wrong with one of his horns. The waiting is the hardest part, my friend. Enjoy!

[iiipopes]

Congrats. Enjoy. I'd be kidding myself if I didn't say I am a little envious of getting to go to the factory. If the 5/4 plays even better than the 4/4 that is in the stable here at the regional state university, then it plays extremely well, indeed!

[Geotuba]

I'd be kidding myself if I didn't say I am a little envious of getting to go to the factory.

The factory is really neat actually. Tucked away at the top of a small rise, in a residential street in the little Bavarian village of Diespeck, not on the way to anywhere particular. I wondered at first if I was in the wrong place when my GPS led me there. It is housed in a few outbuildings attached to what I imagine is Herr Meinl's home and, although there is a large display window facing the street with a cornucopia of instruments on show, even that is pretty well obscured behind the hedge. Truly a Mom and Pop operation - a little gem well hidden away. What I also found interesting is that the JK mouthpieces are made just down the road in what I imagine to be a similar operation in the same village.

Maybe we should just all move to Bavaria!! Oh yes - and you can legally drive over 200 km/h on the Autobahn on the way there - as long as you make sure you pull over when the big Mercedes doing 280 km/h behind you flashes his lights at you so he can pass

[Tortuba]

Well, "Geo" Congrats on the horn. I can't wait until you bring it to our band practice.

Now, I promise not to nag you about giving it a blow..I'll wait until you get the first dent in it, then I'll try it!

Tortuba
(I guess I'll find out if there really is such a thing as Tuba Envy)

[The Big Ben]

What I also found interesting is that the JK mouthpieces are made just down the road in what I imagine to be a similar operation in the same village.

Had a PM from another TubeNetter telling me that the Conn Helleburg mouthpiece that was labeled "Made in Germany" I posted about last week was made by JK. He had heard that from Matt at Dillion's.

Enjoy your new horn! It's nice being an adult with a good job. Ya can buy cool stuff.

Jeff "Keeping my tuba pennies in a jar" Benedict

[Wyvern]

Well done Geotuba - I am sure you will enjoy the Rudy! I tried one when I was looking for a big tuba and the sound was really gorgeous. I would have bought (and sometimes wish I had), but it was just too big a jump for me at the time moving from Eb.

If you have not tried the Fafner, don't worry - the sound is very different - so if the Rudy 5/4 is the sound you want, that is the tuba for you.

[Geotuba]

If the 5/4 plays even better than the 4/4 that is in the stable here at the regional state university, then it plays extremely well, indeed!

I noticed a significant difference (in favour of the 5/4). Also a significant difference between the regular 5/4 and the Bayreuth 5/4 model. Herr Meinl explained to me that the Bayreuth model was designed especially for a Barvarian or possibly all Germany tuba competition and that there was much more attention paid to tuning throughout the entire range using the latest in computer analysis on each instrument.

He also mentioned that I could get the whole thing in red brass (the standard model has just the lead pipe and main tuning slide in red brass) at a 30% surcharge - I decided that there were limits!! Apparently the red brass affects the tone somewhat but is really only worth it for top end professionals.

[iiipopes]

OK, you'll love this: I got on the Musikmesse website to read about the instruments that have won the German Instrument Prize competition year to year. What is little known is that the RM Bayreuth shared the award with the Miraphone 187.

http://musik.messefrankfurt.com/frankfu ... detail=yes

Oh, and this jewel: when run through babelfish, this is what came up on the translator on the line for the tuba:

5/4-B-Tuba model "Bayreuth" the bacon

The word Diespeck, the town where they're made, is translated bacon. The bacon indeed! Try the whole hog! Fitting place for tubas to be made!