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HI-
I think(?) TMEA has new tubas/exhibitors at the Conference for folks to try out--if so, what where your favorites?
mark

schlepporello wrote:I played the 184 and wanted so much to make it mine. Richard wouldn't trade me straight across for the Helicon I was carrying around there though.

Doubt you would either.

K

The MW piston Fafner was incredible, best horn I tried and I don't play BBb much. Every F I tried I liked, but the Miraphone Petruschka and MW 2250 were outstanding, the Kanstul F played great and very bright, great contrast to the F wanna-be CC tubas. For CC's, the Miraphone Bruckner was great; however, I want the Kanstul CC, or the Bruckner, or the piston Fafner, or the 1292 or 1293 (didn't see it there), or the Jupiter XO, or I need $$.

Yeah the Fafner was good..the thumb ring had a little issue though. But actually my favorite BBb was the Nirschl J700. I was so impressed with that horn..its low range was amazing and really open. The high notes slotted well also. It was by far my favorite horn there hands down. Also that Conn 20K was some eye candy. Played very well too. I liked the Kanstul EEb t/a also, along with the Besson 981. Those were definitely my 2 favorite EEb's with the PT 22 not far behind. I fell in love with the Petrushka..it had the best low register of any F tuba i've ever played. The highs really sing out also. As for the CC's, I wasn't impressed with the Baer models or the 1293. I really liked the rotary Thor even though i'm not a big fan of rotary. I think the rotary Thor or the PT-7 were my favorite CC's. Looking forward to next year.

Here is a list of horns that I tried, and the ones I personally thought were very good.

Kanstul
Model 90-L CC-I enjoyed the sound from where I was sitting. Otherwise, a buddy of mine said the sound was too blossomy out front, without enough core. I somewhat liked their new modifications to the horn (more of up-and-down valveset ala B&S/MW). And, the main tuning slide goes "the other way".

Model 33-L BBb-Maybe because I've been playing BBb more and more lately, I felt the 33 produced a stronger tone in the low register rather than the CC (I AM, though, comfortable with both keyed horns). It being BBb made a difference down there.

Model 66-L Eb-I enjoyed the flexibility of the horn (5 valves), but didn't care for the sound as much as I did the BBb. I think my old Holton produces a slightly "livelier" sound than this horn. All just my opinion.

Model 80-L F-I thought the horn was just a little too small. It felt like a slightly bigger euphonium. Sound was good, but the low register didn't pop as much as the Petroushka.

Meinl Weston
MW 2145-I've never played this horn before, and was glad they finally brought one to TMEA. I really liked the sound and flexibility of this horn, my two complaints are the weight distribution and fifth valve (both problems have definitely been confirmed on this forum). The fifth valve annoyed me the most. It's just in a bad location, where I have to bend my thumb like I'm doing sign language. Anyways, this horn plays (and looks) a lot bigger than my original perception.

MW Thor-This horn is huge (or I'm tiny). Heck, this horn even seems bigger than the 6450. Big horn, big sound. Great horn(if you have the money).

MW 6450-Same as the Thor. Big horn, big sound. Well, except I thought it had a little less core than the Thor.

MW Fafner (Piston)-Best horn that I tried at the MW booth. A huge sound with plenty of core (not too blossomy). And, a low register to die for. What a unique and amazing instrument.

MW 2250-Big F tuba. Closer in size to a small CC. Produces the usual MW tone, with a fat low register. The low register didn't "navigate" as well as the Miraphone piston F.

I've run out of time for now, but I'll be returning later to give my opinions from the Tuba Exchange, Miraphone, Tempest, Custom Music, and W.Nirschl booths.

Tuba Exchange
TE 410-L CC (Miraphone 186 CC clone)-I've played this same before, but I really put it through its paces after reading more great reviews on it. Intonation is fantastic, and has a bigger sound than a Miraphone 186 CC. If I had the money, I'd take this horn. It definitely is best bang for buck.

TE 1914 (Miraphone 191 clone)-Wow, what a sound. Reminds me exactly how the 191 plays, but for third of the price. Nice open, broad sound and can definitely ring up top. I would highly recommend this for a BBb (heck, even a non-BBb) player.

TE 1295 (Miraphone 1291 BBb clone)-Has a big sound, but wasn't impressed by it as much as the 191 copy. The valve stroke is quite large (because of bore), and the sound wasn't as lively as the 1914. I definitely had more fun with the 191 copy. But, the intonation on this horn is quite good, with only minimum adjustment above B natural in the staff.

TE 414 (Hirsbrunner 192 BBb clone)-Great instrument, but the sound wasn't as broad as the 1914. I'm not too sure if that's a good thing or not. The low register is tight from the F on down. It was definitely a fun horn.

St. Petersburg 209N CC-Wonderful tuba for the money. Gets a big sound because of the bore, but I still enjoyed the 186 CC clone more. Also, I'm not a big fan of the St. Pete valves. But, this is still a very good tuba, with great intonation.

Miraphone

Petroushka F-In my opinion, the best piston valve F at the convention. The low register just pops out. No work needed at all. Gets a bigger sound than their rotary F tubas, but too much bigger. A very ideal bass tuba sound.

Firebird F-This is a NICE rotary F. I can see why Joe (bloke) likes a sixth valve. That extra valve makes tuning a WHOLE LOT EASIER! Nothing wrong with the pedal F on a five valve horn, but playing it with a sixth valve definitely sounds better to me. I loved how the horn can sing in the high register. One of my favorite horns at the convention.

Bruckner CC-Just what I expected. Another quality Miraphone product. Some open broad sound of their 1291 series with rotary valves. Also, I think the response is much quicker, and the low register sets better than its piston counterpart. Awesome intonation, and that Miraphone sound. I wish I had the money for this.

More later...

I didn't go but I had two people who worked displays who told me the most memorable horn was this four-valve helicon carried by this real tall dude. Do you know what horn he had and... who the heck was he? I said, "It had to be Schlepp," which cleared everything up.