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What are your thoughts and opinions of the MW 2000? How would you describe the sound of the MW 2000? How would you rate the intonation and responsiveness of the tuba? Does it have an even tone throughout all the registers? Is it better than the MW 2155? What are the comparable instruments made by other manufacturers and how do you think they compare?

Thanks for your input!

I think the MW2000's are excellent instruments. Because they are 'handmade', they are somewhat inconsistent so I'd strongly recommend you try them out first. Of the good ones that I've played, they had very good intonation and response with great projection and tone. Side-by-side to the 2155.....there's no comparison......the 2000 wins hands down. I think for that size instrument, there's really no better than the 2000 right now.

Baltimore Brass had a few new ones in a couple of weeks ago that were very good, but if you're serious about one, I'd strongly recommend that you contact Chris Hall about his 2000 that's for sale......a superb instrument.....at a very good price as well. I was really impressed with this instrument as it was just fantastic from top to bottom. Just do a search on here and you should find his thread.

Good luck in your search,
Josh Wirt

First....

At the risk of feeling the flames for blaspheming this popular horn, I am going to say that I think that there is a lot of unmerited hype associated with it that is caused by the "hand made" label and the hefty price tag. Also, I think the fact that several prominent professionals (who, as noted in other threads, could make a dog turd sound good) use this horn contributes to the "aura" of this model.

Second...

I have played on several different specimens of 2000, and I have to say that they do feel really nice to play. HOWEVER, I have also been on the other side of the horn listening in orchestral and solo situations, and I can say that I am never very impressed with the final product. In my opinion, there are many different, more inexpensive models that help a player deliver a far superior performance.

Finally...

If you are considering purchasing one (new or used), make sure that you keep an open mind about other brands/models/price ranges. Make your decision based on your needs, goals, and preferences, and try to leave your ego and what you hear on TubeNet out of it.

Kyle

I think the MW 2000's are unique instruments. Everyone has their "perfect" horn of course, but there are horns out there that a lot of people can sound good on. The 2000 isn't one of those. I bought mine because I liked the sound and feel and response. When I brought it back to school, of course all of my studio mates wanted to try it. My roommate (another tuba player) likes it and keeps asking me to sell it to him (fat chance). Other people liked their horns better, others were indifferent. I have tried other horns at conferences, etc. and I liked mine better than almost all of them (exception being the PT-606). This is a horn you REALLY have to try for yourself. It's a different breed and will work for some people, and definatly not for others.

My $.02

How would you describe the sound of the MW 2000?

Of course the "sound" depends largely on the player, but I think that in making generalizations I would say that the sound is "commanding" and has a "clean," "pure" quality to it with and a "colorful" timbre.

In my experience, the 2000 projects like crazy, too.

How would you rate the intonation and responsiveness of the tuba?

The intonation on the example that I own is excellent. I don't have to work hard lipping or excessively pushing and pulling slides to get it to play in tune. I have found notes to slot well in the center of the pitch, a plus to me and a complaint I have heard from others.

I have found the 2000 to be among the most responsive tubas I have ever played. I am able to get the horn to speak in all registers at any given dynamic. The 2000 can make music with just about whatever you put into it, but I feel as if it responds best to a deft touch.

My 2000 is a very open instrument, which was a big change for me coming off of the much smaller and tighter wrapped Getzen G-50. I initially found the low register to be a struggle, but have since adjusted to the way it works on the 2000.

Does it have an even tone throughout all the registers?

Yes, I believe there is an even tone. I think any changes in tone throughout register extremes are likely more my fault than the fault of the instrument.

Is it better than the MW 2155?

"It depends" is the best answer. You playing them back to back is really the only way to determine if this is the case for you.

However...

I think overall intonation is much improved over the 2155.

What are the comparable instruments made by other manufacturers?

In the same realm:

Hirsbrunnner HB-2P

I bought Chris Hall's other MW 2000 about a year ago and love the horn. His other one is great, too, but the one I took fit my concepts of playing better. Shortly after, I played Sensemaya with a local orchestra and everybody was commenting on how great the horn sounded. Even the woodwind players took notice. The MWs work for me and my musical ideas; you've got to decide on your own concepts and decide what works for you.