TubeNet

Hey everyone,

I would just like to share the positive experience I had playing the Meinl-Weston 5450 "Thor" this past week at the US Army Band Tuba-Euphonium Conference. I spent a lot of time playing this horn, and I was amazed at how well the horn slotted and how easy the horn was to play. The low register was phenomenal, and the sound it puts out is unreal. I really think I've found the horn I'm going to use as my large ensemble CC tuba. Would anyone else like to share their positive/negative experiences with the Thor? I was very impressed with this instrument, and would like to know what other people have to say about it.

Thanks,
Greg

GJDavis1 wrote:...would like to know what other people have to say about it.

The best recommendation I can muster is that Joe Sellmansberger owns one and hasn't yet sold it.

Rick "noting many great instruments that haven't fared so well" Denney

In tiny Norway we have had great success with this instrument. This is my best-seller among university students and professional players. I have noticed that players that normally would have bought Hirsbrunners now buy the THOR. The feed back I have received is that THOR is an instrument you are friends with from day 1. It has an amazing low register as well as being easy to play in middle and high register. The former MW CC-tuba models needed much slide work during play, but the THOR does the job itself.
No one has asked for a trigger on the THOR. The only negative feed back I have received is that the nylon valve guides wear out
too fast. NB: If you decide to buy a THOR (or BAER, or any other MW with pistons) please ask for a set with extra valve guides.
The guides are very difficult to change if you wait too long. Keep an eye on the valve guides and change them when you discover they are worn, and you will have a happy tuba life! I can highly recommend the THOR. It does the job you expect form a large CC tuba - and beyond!

I have been VERY impressed by the playing of the couple Thor I have tried. If it had rotary valves as I prefer and not pistons, I would be seriously tempted to add to the arsenal!

The above about valve guides reminds me of forever replacing nylon guides on a Besson 981 I used to play - oh the joys of pistons!!!

mikey likey.

no,but I wouldn't mind adopting an 18 yr old phillipino "daughter".

I've only played a Thor briefly when I was at WWBW and thought it was an excellent tuba and VERY good value for money. It's no surprise that it is selling so well everywhere.

bloke wrote: ...oh, so you're saying the folks in poverty during the Great Depression were not as bad off as those in poverty now (often overweight, multiple automobiles, phone, TV, air conditioning, free medical care, etc.)

Reminds me of the time one of my wife's habitually out-of-work friends said she was going to the foodbank. It was all I could do to contain myself until she left the room. The young lady was between 300 and 350 pounds.

Oh, yeah...
Go Thor!

i've had a few chances to play on a thor(s) and I'm sold. I've played 'em at TMEA and from what could hear from over the ROAR of people was good. it was easy to play and sat well in tune. i've also played my friends thor and hers plays great. I'm actually going to try to pick one up around march!!

-CT

It played and sounded like a big CC tuba

Bass Flatulance wrote:It played and sounded like a big CC tuba

Really? I thought it sounded like a medium-sized Bb tuba.

Rick "an expert at flatulence" Denney

I'm struggling to remember whether M-W brought a Thor to ITEC last summer. I remember the Fafner very well (WOW!) but do not remember a Thor. But I do remember that when I visited WWBW back in 1998 to try the 2165 and Besson 983 (bought a Besson), Charlie Krause was absolutely raving about the 2155. I tried one, VERY nice - and also a 2165 and a Neptune rotary horn, which I liked less and more respectively. Wound up with a different Neptune (also rotary) 9 years later.

So after all that digression, here's my question: the 2155 and Thor look a WHOLE lot alike, darn near identical, and the specs on the M-W website seem to match. Could someone familiar with both explain the differences? Roger, perhaps? Or anyone?

I tried one of these out at Baltimore Brass. It was one of David Fedderlys top recommendations, along with a 2145. I loved them both, but I liked the Thor a bit better. Hopefully I will have one by June.

I've only tried them briefly, but I thought they were pretty good. What is Roger Lewis' phrase? "Shaking hands with the tuba?" Well, it didn't quite shake hands with me as well as some other tubas have. Also, it wasn't very comfortable for me to hold. But, that's just my opinion.

All of that aside, if one somehow ended up in my lap (literally), I wouldn't complain.