News from NAMM

[tubarepair]

Just sitting here at LAX waiting for the plane back to Seattle.

1) Toured the Kanstul factory during production. Among other things, I viewed tuba bell spinning, seam brazing, plating, mouthpiece production and valve and casing manufacture. This is a first-class facility that produces first-class instruments - yes, I played all of the tubas, euphs and marching horns while there.

2) The Jupiter booth. Spent extensive time on the 482 7/8 BBb. Free blowing with no problems from pedal Bb to f above the staff. Expect the CC (based on the 582 design) AND a rotary BBb this fall.

3) Besson. Heard their quartet - outstanding. Played the prototype 998 - 4+1 BBb based on the 995 CC. Great horn, but heavy and I don't need a fifth valve on a BBb.

4) Weril. The new sousa is nice and appears to be as large as 20K, but with standard valves.

5) Yamaha. no tubas, except for a marching horn that I didn't like. Did play the new Q-class flute, sax and trumpet. Not bad. Flute and sax made in Indonesia, trumpet assembled in China with parts from Japan. Plastic adjustment screws on the flute and sax will be a problem.

6) Thousands of Chineese instruments. Some getting better, many still suck. Played dozens of tubas, some of which weren't too bad. Could have had my name engraved on 'em with a master order of ONE.

More to report back in SEA.

Daryl