Marzan Soloist BBb
Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 11:02 am
Howdy TubeNetters,
I am trying to decide what to do with my satin silver Marzan Soloist BBb. This was my first horn and I love it dearly but I cannot seem to get it in tune, which, given Marzans reputation for good intonation, is bothersome to me.
Most noticable is the discrepancy between low Bb (below the staff) and the Bb on the second line of the staff. The distance between the two is decidedly less than an octave. If I tune to the low note, the high note is flat. If I tune to the higher note, the low note is sharp. Futhermore, all the notes below the low Bb are considerably sharp.
I have tried different MP's. When I bought the horn I was used to a Bach 18 and tried that, but the horn (especially the bottom) was way stuffy. I really didn't evaluate the pitch at that time because I was just regaining my meager chops and thought any problems were probably caused by my lack of recent playing. Switching to a Helleberg opened up the bottom considerably and made the horn much less stuffy and so that has been my primary MP (actually now a Kellyberg stainless, but intonation problems remain). I also have used the Marzan MP that came with the horn but it needs a little work and doesn't seem to have any special advantage over the Helleberg. Anyway, my chops are better now (
) but the intonation issue still exists. Any thoughts?
Horn? MP? Me?
I now use a Cerveny 686 4-MR for large ensemble gigs, but I really like the small size and sturdy construction of the Marzan for pit gigs (a lot of theatre up here) or dixie gigs where I don't take my souzy. The Marzan is capable of "encounters" with solid material in the cramped quarters of a theatre pit without taking on dents. The Cerveny would look like a golfball by now if I used it down there. BUT, as much as I like the horn, the intonation is a problem. I understand that this model is considered somewhat stuffy in the low end to begin with and I can live with that, but I would like better intonation.
I have considered selling/trading for something different. Maybe an older King, Olds, or Reynolds three-banger. They would be compact and sturdy enough to handle pits and drunks and their intonation quirks managable, but that sorta feels like trading down.
Any suggestions for helping my Marzan or for a good smaller "pit" horn would be appreciated.
Thanks!
I am trying to decide what to do with my satin silver Marzan Soloist BBb. This was my first horn and I love it dearly but I cannot seem to get it in tune, which, given Marzans reputation for good intonation, is bothersome to me.
Most noticable is the discrepancy between low Bb (below the staff) and the Bb on the second line of the staff. The distance between the two is decidedly less than an octave. If I tune to the low note, the high note is flat. If I tune to the higher note, the low note is sharp. Futhermore, all the notes below the low Bb are considerably sharp.
I have tried different MP's. When I bought the horn I was used to a Bach 18 and tried that, but the horn (especially the bottom) was way stuffy. I really didn't evaluate the pitch at that time because I was just regaining my meager chops and thought any problems were probably caused by my lack of recent playing. Switching to a Helleberg opened up the bottom considerably and made the horn much less stuffy and so that has been my primary MP (actually now a Kellyberg stainless, but intonation problems remain). I also have used the Marzan MP that came with the horn but it needs a little work and doesn't seem to have any special advantage over the Helleberg. Anyway, my chops are better now (
) but the intonation issue still exists. Any thoughts?Horn? MP? Me?
I now use a Cerveny 686 4-MR for large ensemble gigs, but I really like the small size and sturdy construction of the Marzan for pit gigs (a lot of theatre up here) or dixie gigs where I don't take my souzy. The Marzan is capable of "encounters" with solid material in the cramped quarters of a theatre pit without taking on dents. The Cerveny would look like a golfball by now if I used it down there. BUT, as much as I like the horn, the intonation is a problem. I understand that this model is considered somewhat stuffy in the low end to begin with and I can live with that, but I would like better intonation.
I have considered selling/trading for something different. Maybe an older King, Olds, or Reynolds three-banger. They would be compact and sturdy enough to handle pits and drunks and their intonation quirks managable, but that sorta feels like trading down.
Any suggestions for helping my Marzan or for a good smaller "pit" horn would be appreciated.
Thanks!
