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Just curious about how many of the various models are out there....

The HB-2 IS a wonderful horn! Good luck!

I believe so.

*bump*

*bump 2x*

I've had 3 HB's...

I had one of the first HB-2's (before they went to the composite rotors in the 70's. Very nice horn. Bought it new for $3,300 including the case in 1976.

Unfortunately I sold it in 1986 as I wasn't playing. Sold it for $6,600...

Many years later (2002) I returned to the market and bought a HB-21. Eb was *very* flat and the horn was very difficult to blow. Of course, it could have been due to a many year lay off....

A year later I found an older (supposedly a prototype) HB-2P - 5th valve placed before the 1st valve. Plays so much nicer than the 21. The full range is so much more free blowing, and the Eb is in tune.
Eventhough it has been used hard (multiple dents on the bow and the bell needed work) I wouldn't go back to the HB-21 for anything.

Happy blowing...

Ken S.

Hi.

ZTubaDude, why do you keep bumping this? I keep checking the thread to see if someone's posted something new and interesting. I'm afraid "bump" doesn't qualify.

Jeff Miller wrote:Hi.

ZTubaDude, why do you keep bumping this? I keep checking the thread to see if someone's posted something new and interesting. I'm afraid "bump" doesn't qualify.

My apologies - misread the thread last time - didn't see the last couple of posts and thought the last one entered was another bump.

Jeff

LV wrote: They remind me more of Monette equipment in that some people can't stand them while some people love them. Seems like there isn't a lot of middle ground.

I'm always curious how many of the people that don't like them have actually owned one or at lease spent more than a few minutes/hours playing one.

Something thing I've noticed on this board is that some people are willing to put forth opinions about horns that they have actually only played for a very short time (if at all).

Maybe the poll should be "how many people have played a Hirsbrunner instrument for longer than 30 minutes, in a non-elephant room setting?"
#

I played an HB-2 for years, now I play an HB-21, although I'd rather have an HB-2P or HB-20. Still, it's a cool horn.

The HB-2 was great except for having to use ice to keep my valves from seizing on outdoor gigs.

Tim

t-keyser wrote:The HB-2 was great except for having to use ice to keep my valves from seizing on outdoor gigs.

I've encountered the exact same problem, as well as from indoor stages that have very hot lights. Frustrating to have the question floating in the back of your mind as to whether or not your valves will seize at the most inopportune moment of a performance or broadcast. Just that alone is an unwelcome distraction.

To the repair experts who look in on this site (or others with more knowledge of this HB rotary problem than myself): any solutions to prevent this (short of attaching freezer packs to the back of the valves for each gig...)?

(For what it is worth, my valves are those "component" rotars; part metal and part some synthetic material. Does this factor into the mix at all?)

Thanks.

On a related question, does anyone know what span of time Hirsbrunner used those composite valves?

My HB-2 was a 1981 model and the valves were in great shape and the composite material is definitely a factor in the expansion.

t-keyser wrote:My HB-2 was a 1981 model and the valves were in great shape and the composite material is definitely a factor in the expansion.

Mine is mid-80s; 1986 I believe.

Similarly, my valves are superb -- except when this problem appears.

Does anybody know when Hirsbrunner started and stopped using the composite rotors on the HB-2?

CJK, I don't know the answer to that, but it's good to see a neighbor. I live about 15 minutes north of Alpharetta.