TubeNet

Hello all,

I keep finding on my HB-50 that on open notes I am constantly sharp. My main slide is out quite a ways and yet still even on a middle space C I am sometimes 20 cents sharp. I am currently using a SH-II. Any tips or diagnosis would be welcome! Thanks!

Welcome to Euro-orchestral tuning!

Hi - I had the same problem with my Rudy - the slide was hanging on by faith alone - particularly when the director decided to tune at A=438. (Don't know why) Options I found:
1: A very deep funnel type mouthpiece may lower your overall pitch. I found the Sidey Stainless Helleberg brought everything down about 10c compared to a G&W Baer. YMMV.

2: I finally gave up and had longer ferrules put on the main tuning slides to bring it to A=440 with the slide right in the middle. If you don't want to have your horn put under the torch, you may be able to get a longer slide from HB.

3: This is pretty obvious, but just to cover the bases- make sure you're using a Euro Shank mouthpiece if that's what the horn was built for. - The difference in overall pitch may suprise you, and the partials may line-up a lot better.

Good Luck.

I had the same issue with my Willson 3050S. I contacted Willson, and they switched my tuning slide for a longer one, all I had to do was ship my old one back. Now it's 100%.

jonesbrass wrote:I had the same issue with my Willson 3050S. I contacted Willson, and they switched my tuning slide for a longer one, all I had to do was ship my old one back. Now it's 100%.

My Willson 3050RZ CC has the same problem, and I was quoted "a few hundred" to get a longer tuning slide. I decided to use a sousaphone tuning bit, which is a good thing because my face is not quite so close to the bell.

.

[quote="tubashaman2"]Never had a big problem with this because I can adjust the pitch on both horns based on the slide.
/quote]

He was referring to open notes though and pulling the main slide is likely not an option for regular use on an HB-50.

However, yes. Getting used to the horn may have a big effect on the pitch. Especially if you came from a much smaller horn. Be sure that you're not over compensating.

And of course...try some different mouthpieces and see.

Still...20 cents sharp.......but it's an HB-50....hopefully shiny....