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As a reference

I'd like to know what you think of this particular model. I've heard plenty of good things about Rudolf Meinl rotor horns, but not much about this piston version.

Also, I'd like to know the relative size of this instrument. I know that the Rudy Meinl 4/4 are actually bigger than most 4/4 tubas. I don't want something as large as a PT-6. The majority of what I do is quintet work as well as a bit of orchestral... I do like a fairly big CC in quintet though. Generally, is the sound massive on the horn?... too big for quintet?

I'd just like to know before I invest a lengthy drive to try a horn I am not looking for. Any help would be appreciated! I won't buy sight unseen, I will try before I buy... just need to decide if I should try!

Tooted one for a few minutes once, in passing. Not a "massive" (i.e. 5/4+) sound, IMO. I would think it would work okay for a large quintet horn and would also be fine in an average orchestra setting.

There's one opinion, fwiw!

Great alternative to the much more expensive HB-21.

I believe Dave Zerkel owned one for a bit sometime in the past several years and commented on a few occasions that he liked it.

The one I tried played well enough, but I didn't care much for the ergonomics. I like the Rudy sound though...lots of character.

I'll have to agree with the sound of the Rudys. Great open CC tuba tone. If it's like the 5/4 Rudy I have, the two-ledger line C up to the second line F is pretty solid. The extreme registers are just fine with the right mouthpiece.
Aaron TF Hynds

Doc wrote:It's a little more compact than one might imagine. Many say you can set the slides and forget it. It doesn't have the intonation a Mirafone 188 does, IMO, but has a comparable sound in terms of size.

Doc

I own one. The intonation of the piston Rudolf Meinl that I own is better than the Miraphone 188. I do not think that mine is a freak either. I've played two including my own and both were just as good.

The 4345 rotor instrument also has outstanding intonation.

Intonation on the regular 4/4 rotor (model 45?) is a crapshoot.

Yo,
I've played CJK's horn and it's really good. Great sound, easy to play, slots well, good all-around tuba. (I'm not a fan of the 3/4 CC, but these are good)
Bill

For clarification, the RM45(4/4) and RM4345, both piston and rotor, are very different horns. And the piston and rotor versions of the 4345 play quite differently. I personally prefer the rotor 4345 and I have found that it avoids the low-range stuffyness that can be found in the piston version.

My 45 is one of those set and forget and I have used it in everything from solos to quintets to large bands. The 45 does play a bit free-er and more open in the lower range but it is a larger instrument both physically and sonically.

In recent years, Rudi has been installing a slightly larger tuning slide that has improved response and intonation on some specimens. I did not want to change a thing on mine so I passed on the upgrade. I have forgotten the specific dimensions but they have had success with the changes.

My preferences are exactly that and only you and your ensembles can make the final decision about what fits you best. I would not hesitate to bring the RM45 into any situation.