TubeNet

Hey,

Quite a few people have recently mentioned horns having a classic Hirsbrunner sound. Having never played or heard one before, could someone please elaborate. What exactly is a classic Hirsbrunner sound?

Thanks!

Hi Colin, Rather than post this and ruffle anyone's pompous feathers I thought I would shoot you a Pm. Orlando is a small pond but Bob Carpenter is a big fish by anybody's standards. If you haven't already, mabye try to get a lesson with him. He's got a million horns to hear yourself on too and he's a great guy. Also, James Jenkins in Jacksonville has been in the finals for big jobs alot. And he plays Bb. If you still have the Rudy it would be worth hearing him play it before you let it go. He has a small virtuoso bass tuba for busy high stuff but uses the Bb on the big stuff. I just thought that since you're here you should pick these two guy's brains. As far as the Hirsbrunner sound, they (the non copies) seem to have a gorgeous sound with lots of beautiful overtones but in a trombone section that pretty stuff gets buried in their sounds. I had a Meinl Weston 2155 that had a beautiful sound, my kids even noticed, and it was very easy to play but my orchestra records the concerts and it was barely audible while my King comes right through.For whatever it's worth. Ed Firth

OOPS! wrong button. Sorry all Ed

Hi Guys,
I thought I should put my comments here as I own a Hirsbrunner HB-50 and also a Rudy Meinl 6/4 BBb (yes the biggest tuba available right now). When we say Hirsbrunner sound, it means a darker sound, more roundness and more dept (in my opinion). I've tried a Walter Nirschl, PT-6 and a Yamayork, and found, in all fairness, that I do prefer the Hirsbrunner sound. Also, remember that the horn is bigger, so the sound is obviously bigger!! What is strange is all the people were saying to me that Hirsbrunner horn are tougher to play with but I found it easy myself. The Yamayork, for me, has a smaller sound; the Walter Nirschl has a very nice sound and come close to Hirsbrunner and the PT-6 come close to Hirsbrunner.
Hirsbrunner sound is also very different versus the Rudy Meinl. My 6/4 is just the biggest sound and so dark. Although, it is not a horn very flexible! It is perfect, in my opinion again, for works from Prokofiev, Wagner, contrabass parts in Bruckner. It needs a different way to play as you have to let the horn play by itself, as you won't win the battle against it !!!
Rudy and Hirsbrunner are beautiful sounds but very different !!! Rudy is the typical German sounds (rich & dark) and Hirsbrunner is also rich, dark but also project more and has a bit more power (as you can control it better). Both has dept but for works in the very low register, I would take the Rudy Meinl. Romeo & Juliet sounds so amazing with the Rudy! Ride of the Walkyries with it; is the deep and profound sound that will fill the orchestra. You will feel that there is more than one tuba playing!
Again, this is just my opinion on these horns and I'm sure that other people can add into my comments to explain better what is the " Hirsbrunner " sound.
M Dorval

who sells rudy meinl tubas these days?

You really gotta play one to understand. A rotary one, preferably.