Review of Gemeinhardt Production CC and BBb piston tubas

[Steve Marcus]

Richard Barth could do what piano manufacturers have done: acquire the rights to the names and trademarks of defunct American and European companies.

For example: Chinese and Korean piano manufacturers market their pianos (at least in North America) under the names Kohler & Campbell, Knabe, Chickering, Baldwin (Gibson guitar imports Chinese pianos with this name), etc.

Dick Barth could acquire the rights to such names as Olds, Walter Sear, etc.

Certain tuba retailers have applied their own anglicized brand names to imported instruments.

[SousaWarrior9]

Richard Barth could do what piano manufacturers have done: acquire the rights to the names and trademarks of defunct American and European companies.

For example: Chinese and Korean piano manufacturers market their pianos (at least in North America) under the names Kohler & Campbell, Knabe, Chickering, Baldwin (Gibson guitar imports Chinese pianos with this name), etc.

Dick Barth could acquire the rights to such names as Olds, Walter Sear, etc.

Certain tuba retailers have applied their own anglicized brand names to imported instruments.

Not a bad idea, either. I know Olds is taken, though:
http://www.feolds.com/desktop.htm" target="_blank" target="_blank

[jacojdm]

To do all this work of testing, etc. then to tag them with something that silly seems like dropping the ball on the one yard line.

Let's not forget Dick is a Clevelander. Continuing your simile, perhaps "Byner" would be more apropos.

[Bob Kolada]

The Olds name has been screwed over enough, I think.

[bort]

Using just "Barth" as the name sounded like a silly idea to me at first. But I guess it's no different than using "Marzan" as the one name on a tuba.

[Wyvern]

Using just "Barth" as the name sounded like a silly idea to me at first. But I guess it's no different than using "Marzan" as the one name on a tuba.

Or Besson, or Miraphone, Melton, Yamaha, etc.

I am wondering what the Big Mouth Brass logo will look like? I have this image of a goofy face with big open mouth

[bort]

Using just "Barth" as the name sounded like a silly idea to me at first. But I guess it's no different than using "Marzan" as the one name on a tuba.

Or Besson, or Miraphone, Melton, Yamaha, etc.

I am wondering what the Big Mouth Brass logo will look like? I have this image of a goofy face with big open mouth

Yeah... I guess those seemed less like people names though. Plus, Fred Marzan didnt own the factories that built his horns. That was my real (and obscure) point.

[ginnboonmiller]

I wonder how many of the people here trashing a goofy product name have purchased, or at least seriously considered, a Blokepiece with the Fair Dinkum rim.

I'm going to hop onto my Trek bicycle, take it to Sav-Mor, and buy some Green Giant Niblets to throw into the Frigidaire while you think about it.

[tclements]

ANY chance we can get a coupla these things out on the left coast for a blow?

Tony Clements
http://www2.ohlone.edu/instr/music/tubaensemble.html" target="_blank

[bort]

I wonder how many of the people here trashing a goofy product name have purchased, or at least seriously considered, a Blokepiece with the Fair Dinkum rim.

I'm going to hop onto my Trek bicycle, take it to Sav-Mor, and buy some Green Giant Niblets to throw into the Frigidaire while you think about it.

My willingness to deal with a goofy name is proportional to the amount it costs. And even then, it's not to say I won't still make fun of it.

[chronolith]

This won't resonate with everyone, but here goes:

- A few years Nintendo decided to produce a new console to compete with the Playstation and Xbox (about time...)
- All of your favorite titles will make another appearance (cool!)
- It features motion sensing wireless controllers that allow you to physically interact with the game (wow! That's awesome)
- It comes in at a price point roughly half of the other consoles (amazing! When can I get one????)
- It will be called the "Wii" (What the $%&#?......)

People bought them anyway. As soon as they got the things out of the box and experienced them, all of the debate surrounding the stupid name ended. Personally I am not a fan of the name choice, but it won't stop me from trying to track one down and play it.

[bort]

But would you buy it if they'd have named it "Big Mouth Video Game System"?

Ok, now I'm just being an ***, I'll quit...

[chronolith]

To be honest, yeah. If they called it Anthrax Cheerios in Pickle Juice, they would have bought it. The issue is the debate ended as soon as people used them.

I have not tried these tubas yet so I am happy to debate. In the end I think if the horns are a success, there will be no discussion of the name. If they fail, I am sure the name will be lumped into the reasoning for failure.

[bort]

Anthrax Cheerios in Pickle Juice

Now THAT is a good name for a tuba!

[chronolith]

Smaller investment - 200 or so compared to a nearing 7-8 thousand?

This is true, but I am not really attempting to draw an equals sign between the two products. Just the affect of the name choice on the perception of something people had not personally interacted with yet. Maybe consider that yes it is much cheaper than a tuba, but then Nintendo sold more than 30 million of these things in the US alone. Ultimately I don't think the choice will hurt sales if the horn is solid, but I certainly don't think it will help in this case either - even if a better choice could help.

Here is a question: If you bought one of these horns (engraved and all) and people asked what kind of horn you were playing, what would you answer?

[bort]

Here is a question: If you bought one of these horns (engraved and all) and people asked what kind of horn you were playing, what would you answer?

I'd call a spade a spade and just read the name on the bell. And then say it's a Gemeinhardt tuba. (And then I'd probably have to explain say that Gemeinhardt is a flute company. And then I'd say that it's designed in the US, but made in China. And then...)

[bort]

Actually, since I don't like the name, I'd probably make up my own name for it. Being the worst name I've ever heard, I might call it Joey Jo Jo Shabadoo.

[Uncle Buck]

I like the name. But I'm not a "professional . . ."

Looks to me like good horns for good prices, though.

[PMeuph]

Actually, since I don't like the name, I'd probably make up my own name for it. Being the worst name I've ever heard, I might call it Joey Jo Jo Shabadoo.

I'd go the other way and give it a cool name.

[cambrook]

Personally I don't care for the name being discussed, but maybe I'm missing some sort of inside joke by the man in charge - but each to their own. If I was looking to spend $$$ on a tuba then I'd want to feel good about all aspects of the purchase.

The Blokepiece is a bit different - when Joe started talking about these mouthpieces (before they were made) they were named in jest and the title sort of stuck. Maybe there are some people who would have bought one but didn't like the name - who knows? and I'm not sure if Joe would care

The "Fair Dinkum" rim was made at my request (I liked the shape but wanted a 32.6mm diameter) but Dave Houser named it. I agreed as it was suitably irreverent - and I figured it was his rim to do what he wanted with, I didn't expect the name to continue

Cheers

Cam