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Hi-
For those of you attending the TMEA (Texas Music Educators Association) Conference, which new tubas/ euphs and/or equipment were the most impressive that you felt played the best?
Thanks-
mark

ALL OF THEM!

Just kidding...I just came back from a long day at TMEA. And there are a few things that I observed...

First off, I went to the first tuba booth I saw (go figure), which happened to be the Miraphone booth. The 1291, 1292, and Petruschka were being used so I blew a few notes on the usual 186/188. For many, the 188 is "beefier" than the 186, but to me I don't see much of a difference. I played the 186, and great as usual. NO BRUCKNER!! I was hoping that'd have it. Anyways, I went on...(Sorry, I only got to try some CC tubas today)

Next, the Meinl Weston booth. Admittedly, I've never played the Baer 6/4 so I gave it a blow. Nice sound, but for me, it's more like a 5.5/4 than a 6/4. Great range high and low. For me, the high range was quite easy to slot. I was in a small hurry, so I moved on (I will TRY to make it back tomorrow and play some others...like that new 2050 )...

This may be taboo for some, but I went to the Tuba Exchange booth. They only had 3 CCs (new G&P 13, their silver chinese 186, and a St. Pete CC). I tried the first two. At first glance, I liked what G&P had to offer...then I played it. Yikes...the intonation was horrible. I mean, I played some major arpeggios that sounded minor. I don't have an army of mouthpieces to use (Baer CC and Helleberg), so I didn't experiment. I just put that one back. Their 186 copy...well, I was very, very impressed. In fact, my fiancee commented (and I also noticed) that the sound of the horn was much better than the Miraphone 186. And, to me, the linkages felt quicker than it's original model. Oh, I will definitely be considering one of these copies (not from them, though. Way too expensive compared to others).

I finally tried the new W.Nirschl CC. Other than the angle from hell, I LOVE IT. The sound is deep, silky, and it rings. The range is impeccable, in my opinion. Oh, and the best news of all...THEY'RE FIXING THE LEADPIPE! The model will be J-870SP, and will be coming out in a couple of months. Richard Barth is way more than aware that this is an issue, so it'll be taken care of. I truly can't wait for that to come out. The BBb W.Nirschl was quite well, too, but the CC felt a little "lighter". I really can't explain it. Moving on...

I headed to the Kanstul booth, and lo-and-behold...they have the CC prototype! Apparently, it just came out Monday. It was still in raw brass, and is still going through some minor adjustments (some valve slides coming down way too low). The sound was gorgeous on this horn, and is definitely worth looking at...IF you can afford it. The price tags floating on the BBb and EEb horns are about 12k I've never played a true York horn, but I'm beginning to understand what "it's" all about. The sound, like mentioned, is round and full. To me, though, it wasn't as deep as the W.Nirschl CC. Remember, these are just my opinions...

Went to the Custom Tubas booth, and tried a few. If you really want to know what I tried, and how I liked them, you can ask on the thread. For me, they all had the same characteristic tone color. And to be honest, I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would. The sound seemed brighter on these horns, not as dark as the others I tried at the conference. Each make definitely has it's own color, and that is something I can finally observe better than before. It just didn't do it for me...the horns I tried were the PT-6, PT-6P, PT-7P, PT-4P, PT-15, and the PT-20.

I think that's all that I got to hit up today. If I get more in tomorrow, I'll let you guys know (I really want to try some more MW horns, and the Petruschka).

Joseph Guzman

BTW-My picks of the day are the W.Nirschl CC (especially when the "fixed leadpipe" version comes out), the Kanstul CC (wonderful horn...except for the price), and the 186 copy.

UTSAtuba wrote: NO BRUCKNER!! I was hoping that'd have it.

The Bruckner is quite nice! It doesn't quite have the sound of the 191, but it is very easy to play and doesn't have the quirky couple-of-notes-right-above-the-2nd-partial that I've noticed on so many 191's (though admittedly the 191 I played at Midwest didn't have that problem, so it could be that I've gotten better at playing rotary tubas.... ). To me, either is much better than any 186/7/8. I still want to try a 184 though.

I headed to the Kanstul booth, and lo-and-behold...they have the CC prototype!...The price tags floating on the BBb and EEb horns are about 12k.

Wow! I thought the word was that they would be running about 6-8 grand, depending on the model.

The bigger St. Pete Bb's, the rotary Schillbrunner thing and the piston 2341-thing, are really nice horns. I think I like both better than the Gemstone Bb.

on the note of trombones, I heard that BAC horn doc had handslides that were making people cream themselves...

...

Were the intonation characteristics of the TE 186 copy the same as a 186, i.e. flat 5th partials and the low register occasionally "barks"?

HI-
Great news re. the CC W. Nirschl piston tuba, which will be available in two versions--the current angled leadpipe, and then a version with a more traditional leadpipe. It is terrific that someone like Dick Barth listens to comments from players--even if critical--and decides to follow through from player's suggestions!!
Regards-
mark
jonestuba@juno.com" target="_blank

Someone tell me if I'm wrong:

Isn't the Tempest "Prague" the same BBb that was sold by Dalyan?

TexTuba wrote:Someone tell me if I'm wrong:

Isn't the Tempest "Prague" the same BBb that was sold by Dalyan?

The Dalyan Prague is a much smaller "compact workhorse rocket" with a 14.5 inch bell. It's a copy of the Cerveny 683, below.


The new Tempest 'Prague' looks a lot like the 'Shillbrunner' to me. Although I do find it interesting that Lee Hipp says "there is no better BBb tuba to be found" since it was on the strength of his endorsement of the Dalyan that I bought my original Prague... perhaps baby Prague needs a big brother? hmm...

iiipopes wrote:Were the intonation characteristics of the TE 186 copy the same as a 186, i.e. flat 5th partials and the low register occasionally "barks"?

Assuming it is the same as the ones stenciled "Schiller"
5th partial is flat like a 186 (not on a 188.)
Top space G rides a little low, nothing on my horn that can't be blown in tune.
Ab below the staff rides a little sharp. Not sure why on that one note. Still workable, but I am considering pulling on that note.

Unlike the 186, my horn has a full solid sound that I can hit as hard as I want without breaking up. It is not "brittle" at all. With a shallower mouthpiece, the low register can get a little ballsy, but not in a bad way.
I was playing Russian Easter Overture and Flying Dutchman the other night using the big Warburton-Neilan, and I was really surprised at how thick and solid the tone was on that horn compared to a true 186.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2 ... 0081710784" target="_blank

I'm sorry but I do not have a photobucket or similar account.

Anyway, the new Kanstul tubas are awesome! Finally a decent American made tuba (I don't like the King 2341). Kanstul had a raw brass CC prototype that they said had just been completed a few days ago. I am personally more of a BBb guy, but this CC would certainly make me consider switching just for it. It was the best CC I played at TMEA, and I played a few Meinl Weston and Perantucci tubas. I did not want to stop playing it. The Besson 995 was almost as good, but the Besson would best be suited to larger situations such as a large orchestra. The Kanstul CC is a great all round horn.

The Kanstul BBb was great too. I liked it almost as much as the CC. I am perhaps insane, but the Miraphone 191 would still be my contrabass tuba of choice. Maybe I just am too used to it. The Kanstul BBb was certainly almost as good.

I really liked the Kanstul CC and the Besson CC, but I think my favorite horn was the Meinl Weston Thor. Also I loved the B&S Perantucci JBL, awesome horn

First went to Ivan's booth and bought a new G&W Bayamo to replace my 1st gen Bayamo. It speaks a lot better than the old boat anchor that's been my #1 CC piece for my Rudy since the G&W's first came out. Had to go try it out on some horns. The Kanstul horns were great. Tried the CC proto and the Eb 4+1, great. I would put the Eb over the Willson and in line with the Miraphone Eb's with a bigger sound. More a one horn Eb than a solo horn. At the the MW booth, tried the 2000, Thor, and Baer. The 2000 had an edge IMHO. No Bruckner at the Miraphone booth , but still like the 1292 over the other CC's. If I had one horn, it would probably be the 1292 to do it all, but the Kanstul messes that up. The Custom booth had the same old, good horns but didn't spend much time. No CC this year at the Jupiter booth. Great to see Schlepporello and his better half there.

Off topic, but the best surprise was the new prototype trumpets in the Blessing booth, yes Blessing. They seem to be tired of being a good, o hum student line maker. They apparently have some old Bach workers assisting them. The reversed leadpipe pro horn plays better than the Yamaha Zeno's that I've played at a $400-500 cheaper price and better than my Bach Strat 37. They've fixed their trigger on their 88 style trombone. Went with a Bach Strat style trigger.

Mike Finn wrote:The new Tempest 'Prague' looks a lot like the 'Shillbrunner' to me.

Me too. Even down to the thumbring. Same JinBao horn sold by TE, M&M and (at the best price) Jim Laabs on eBay...

Eric "who has been looking hard at the Schillbrunner" L.

WakinAZ wrote:

Mike Finn wrote:The new Tempest 'Prague' looks a lot like the 'Shillbrunner' to me.

Me too. Even down to the thumbring. Same JinBao horn sold by TE, M&M and (at the best price) Jim Laabs on eBay...
Eric "who has been looking hard at the Schillbrunner" L.

I spent some time on the Tempest. I thought it was a decent playing horn. At $2995, it seems like a fair price. If I wanted to buy a new BBb tuba, and $3000 was my price limit, I'd give it some serious consideration. Also, it is not like any of the Dalyan tubas that I remember.

Hello,

Although I have not been too active here on tubenet I'm going to chime in on the new tubas we intro'd at TMEA. Without exception we heard great comments from very talented All-State and university players, military bandsmen, professionals and educators about how great they are - great tone, response and intonation. Zig has hit a home run with these tubas.

I should point out that the CC tuba in raw brass was just a prototype - finished early on Monday morning and loaded in the van and driven directly to San Antonio - yet received some of the most favorable responses of the five!

All the best,