In Search of HB-6/HB-293 tubas

punktuba · Post by **punktuba** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 11:04 pm

Does anyone know where any of these tubas reside? I am really interested in them and would like to hear some thoughts from owners and people that may know where I might be able to get my hands on one. Does hirsbrunner still make these? I know several high profile players that used to own them does anyone know where any of their horns ended up?

Thank you

rodmathews · Post by **rodmathews** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 11:55 pm

Look up Bud Woodruff right there in Houston. He used to play on an HB-6, and I think he was still playing it last time I talked to him.

I remember that horn from way back when I was in middle school. It was the first five-valve rotary tuba I had ever seen, and I thought it was the coolest horn one could possibly have. I also remember Buddy sounding amazing on it!

Rod

tubacdk · Post by **tubacdk** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 12:48 am

I owned an HB-6 for a while and really liked it. I sold it when we were expecting our first child and it just wasn't earning its keep. It went overseas and I don't think it has made its way back. As far as playability, it was a very even-responding instrument with fantastic intonation. It took a lot of air to fill it up, but it projected like mad and it had a wonderfully dense, colorful tone. It definitely comes from the German school of sound, having a thick, solid "column" of sound versus something more diffuse that fills the room and tends more toward being felt than heard. Not that it wouldn't fill a hall, but it cut through the orchestra as much as it supported it (if that makes sense). I really enjoyed having it and I hope it's still getting used by someone who can take advantage of its unique strengths.

Tim Buzbee bought it from me... Tim, if you're still visiting here, do you know where it is?

-ck

sc_curtis · Post by **sc_curtis** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 12:57 am

rodmathews wrote:Look up Bud Woodruff right there in Houston. He used to play on an HB-6, and I think he was still playing it last time I talked to him.

I remember that horn from way back when I was in middle school. It was the first five-valve rotary tuba I had ever seen, and I thought it was the coolest horn one could possibly have. I also remember Buddy sounding amazing on it!

Rod

I believe he sold that particular horn to a friend of mine from college. He is currently a band director in the d/fw area. PM me if you'd like his contact info.

Buddy truly did sound amazing. I'm not sure, but I think he had some type of surgery done on his mouth (I think, I bet my friend can tell me more). I don't think he plays much anymore. Last I heard, Buddy was a high school orchestra director in Galena Park ISD.