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At the start of this year I bought a 3 rotory valve compensating Hirsbrunner BBb. Albeit a very good instrument on it's own, the plan was to convert it to a 5 valver. The conversion project has started this summer and it's approaching it's final stage. I hope I can play test it in a couple of weeks. After that it will be sent to be silver plated.

Enjoy: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id= ... 613&type=1" target="_blank

I don't speak Dutch, but I think this means I can't see the pictures:

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bort wrote:I don't speak Dutch, but I think this means I can't see the pictures:

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Hi, that means you need to log on to Facebook. The page is public.

wensen wrote:Wow Wilco, that looks promising...
When it's finished we should compare our Bb's one day, i'm very curious, especially about the tuning...

gr.
Erik

We'll do Erik (got an increasing number of people who want to try it ). The tuning of the 3 valve was exellent. Middle G (concert pith) was a bit sharp and the C above the G a bit flat.

Aah, whoops. I'm not on Facebook.

NO, NO, NO!!! PLEASE DON'T RUIN A GREAT INSTRUMENT!!! If you really must have a 5-valve, I'd be happy to trade you my Miraphone 186 with both bells straight up for your 3-valve Hirsbrunner comp.

The 3-valve comp system, whether on a Boosey/Besson or a Hirsbrunner, is probably the most in-tune with itself valve setup a person could ask for, with only two drawbacks on the Boosey/Besson and three on a Hirsbrunner: 1) 1+3 can be a little stuffy, but on the Besson I used to have it was only the 2nd ledger line C that was stuffy; 2) yes, you're limited to low E nat below open BBb, but if you're playing conventional concert band literature, who needs anything below that, anyway, and 3) the typical rotary design, whether Hirsbrunner, Alex, B&S, Miraphone, or anything else, might have some inherently flat 5th partials. But that is a design feature of a rotary bugle, not the comp valve block.

The positives are that the horn is significantly lighter than a 5-valve. Mr. Hirsbrunner himself said weight was one criteria in designing the 3-valve comp rotary. You can play concert G & D with 3rd valve alone perfectly in tune, and not have to compromise, lip down or pull slides with 1+2.

But if you must, as your pictures show you have already dismantled it, please tell me how much you would be willing to sell the comp block & leadpipe for.

iiipopes wrote:NO, NO, NO!!! PLEASE DON'T RUIN A GREAT INSTRUMENT!!! If you really must have a 5-valve, I'd be happy to trade you my Miraphone 186 with both bells straight up for your 3-valve Hirsbrunner comp.

To late

The 3-valve comp system, whether on a Boosey/Besson or a Hirsbrunner, is probably the most in-tune with itself valve setup a person could ask for, with only two drawbacks on the Boosey/Besson and three on a Hirsbrunner: 1) 1+3 can be a little stuffy, but on the Besson I used to have it was only the 2nd ledger line C that was stuffy; 2) yes, you're limited to low E nat below open BBb, but if you're playing conventional concert band literature, who needs anything below that, anyway, and 3) the typical rotary design, whether Hirsbrunner, Alex, B&S, Miraphone, or anything else, might have some inherently flat 5th partials. But that is a design feature of a rotary bugle, not the comp valve block.

It's actually not stuffy at all, just the response is a bit off/uneven. Most noticed going from Bb to B or C. In the six months I played it I could use a lower register in many occaissions. Lot's Eb, D, Db and even an occaisional C. Believe me, I need it

But if you must, as your pictures show you have already dismantled it, please tell me how much you would be willing to sell the comp block & leadpipe for.

Sure, some braces where reused. Valves are in great shape. They (the compensating ones) have the plastic core, I didn't have any problems them though. Let's pm if you're still interested.

Wilco wrote:Let's pm if you're still interested.

Let's get through the holidays and reassess cash flow after the first of the year. With the double height of the rotors, I suspected they were the composite rotors to keep the mass down and the response quick. The only reports I've heard about any problems with them mostly had to do with improper maintenance or being required to play in temperature extremes where the casing and/or rotor might have different thermal expansion coefficients.

I might have just polished and lacquered the valveset . . . nice-looking tuba!

GREAT job. I can't wait to hear how it turns out!!

Can somebody post pics for those who dont have FB...

Progress! Some new photo's added to the album. Enjoy: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set= ... 613&type=3" target="_blank

It is now at the platers'. Hope to get it in a few weeks.


Wilco

any final ideas and/or photos on this one?

Comes back that the link is no longer good on my computer...