TubeNet

Hi from Australia - here goes my first post on Tubenet!
Apologies in advance if the pictures don't come out right.
I have been trialling a Hirsbrunner tuba this week, and cannot determine what model it is or an approx age.

I'm sure some of you have seen a lot more of these than me.
Any ideas?

I believe that the date can be determined from the serial number. I don't remember if it is the first, or last two digits of the serial number that represent the year of manufacture.

Looks like an old HB-2, probably early 80s.

Serial number is 880820, so I guess the year is '88 or '82

It was the left hand 5th that threw me, I couldn't find any pictures with that set up, made me think there may have been a different model.

What would one of these typically sell for in the US? Condition is okay overall, a few small dents and some silver plate wear, good intonation and a great tone.

It may have been a custom order. As I remember from the brochure, Hirsbrunner would lay out the valves any way a customer wanted. Maybe someone just happened to like the left hand 5th valve.

Roger Bobo had an HB2 with a left hand 5th (tuned to 2 tones).

Ok, bear with me kids. I met Jamie Hafner (one of those great tuba players whose name doesn't get bandied about nearly as much as it should) my first summer at the Brevard Music Center in 1979. He owned a custom made Hirsbrunner with the following modifications: All the valves were flipped upside down, ala King Rotors, with the long spatulas and string linkages. He also had Hirsbrunner build his 4th valve as a 2/3 combination and the 5th valve as a flat whole step. Typical silver plating. When I asked him why, he proceded to tell me about his all copper SANDER CC (yes, a REAL Sander) tuba he played on for years that, sans the 5th valve, was set up exactly like his new Hirsbrunner. Jamie has a Facebook page and I believe he has pictures of the Sander on it. Jamie was a fine tuba player who I believe retired to Brevard, NC. For those of us who spent time there, you know why. Beautiful place.

Chuck

I would love to see a photo of that tuba. Do you have a link?

tclements wrote:I would love to see a photo of that tuba. Do you have a link?

Sorry Tony, I don't as I don't use social media. Jamie Hafner has a Facebook account from what I understand. He is a great guy and would probably friend you, thus, if I understand how Facebook works, would give you access to his pictures. I seem to remember that the pictures of the Sander were quite artistic, but then again I saw them as sent images not as the real deal.

It would be nice if someone would encourage Jamie to share his pictures of both the Hirsbrunner and the Sander. I know that Jamie studied with Sam Green at CCM in the early 60's, but somewhere in the back of my memory, I think he mentioned he bought the horn from someone in the south. It's been 34 years since I had a meaningful conversation with him. One of his fromer students, Jim Gray (Grey mabe) was/is in the Navy Band. While I don't know if he lurks here or not, he may have better information as he and Jamie remained close. Good Luck.

Chuck