Video Review of Dillon Music cimbasso (Jinbao).

[Chris Olka]

I just got this recently and have played it for a few days. There seems to be a lot of interest in these horns and I thought I'd post a short review of it. Initial impressions are great! Hope you guys enjoy,
http://youtu.be/mEa4VqsXBug" target="_blank

[TexTuba]

Awesome review!

P.S.

How do you know about the silica gel?

[nycbone]

**********

[Bob Kolada]

Thank you for the detailed review!

[bisontuba]

Excellent!!
Mark

[The Big Ben]

Interesting instrument. Do you think that this horn, if played by a competent amateur, would substitute for a bass trombone in a small, 40 piece community orchestra?

[Chris Olka]

Thanks for the feedback guys! I'm going to start doing more reviews like these in addition to my "Drill of The Week" videos. It's easier than replying to the piles of emails I get asking my opinion about gear. This way, just watch the video...

Thanks again and share the link if you like!

[Chris Olka]

Interesting instrument. Do you think that this horn, if played by a competent amateur, would substitute for a bass trombone in a small, 40 piece community orchestra?

ABSOLUTELY! However, mouthpiece selection is really important on this horn as it can be made to sound quite different depending on your goals.

[DaTweeka]

Interesting instrument. Do you think that this horn, if played by a competent amateur, would substitute for a bass trombone in a small, 40 piece community orchestra?

ABSOLUTELY! However, mouthpiece selection is really important on this horn as it can be made to sound quite different depending on your goals.

Speaking of, what was your mouthpiece of choice for the video?

[Donn]

I've never seen anything like this in the flesh, nor heard much cimbasso playing. Not really interested in getting into it at this time, but maybe in a few years when folks who bought 2 are selling both of them at a fraction of the price, who knows.

So I'm curious. The review includes a minute or so of playing, at the end. For those of you who'd like to play one, did you like the sound? Or is that a silly question - would you expect to learn anything about the sound, given the limitations of a youtube video? Is that why so little playing, and why so little of that playing really seemed like a serious attempt to convey the tonal or intonation qualities of the instrument? (Or is it a silly question because these things are really just for the Big Blat, and the tone quality is immaterial?)

[DaTweeka]

So I'm curious. The review includes a minute or so of playing, at the end. For those of you who'd like to play one, did you like the sound? Or is that a silly question - would you expect to learn anything about the sound, given the limitations of a youtube video? Is that why so little playing, and why so little of that playing really seemed like a serious attempt to convey the tonal or intonation qualities of the instrument? (Or is it a silly question because these things are really just for the Big Blat, and the tone quality is immaterial?)

Aside from the blatting, I like the sound he gets. I'm curious about mouthpiece choice, because it felt a bit fuzzy to me on the Bordogni (though I'm leaning towards YouTube error on that one). It's got a certain... snappiness to it that I really dig, though the sound is maybe a bit fatter than I'd like (though I attribute that to the bore size and, again, mouthpiece choice).

So, do I like the sound THIS horn makes? No, but I wasn't expecting to. When I think cimbasso, I lean towards Mattis Cederberg's sound; a bit more trombone-like, and (if these adjectives belong in the same sentence) sensitive. Essentially, a very solid low bass bone sound that doesn't get too tubby.

[Chris Olka]

Interesting instrument. Do you think that this horn, if played by a competent amateur, would substitute for a bass trombone in a small, 40 piece community orchestra?

ABSOLUTELY! However, mouthpiece selection is really important on this horn as it can be made to sound quite different depending on your goals.

Speaking of, what was your mouthpiece of choice for the video?

Sorry for the delay in reply, our orchestra is on tour this week in Carnegie. The mouthpiece I used in the video is a Dillon F2. They're not even made anymore unfortunately. I only used it because that's what I used in my previous cimbasso. I'll be trying a bunch to find the best all around fit. So far, the Laskey 30C, Josef Klier 4C, and Dillon F1 show a lot of promise.

Regarding sound quality, Mattis Cedeberg is the absolute creme de la creme on cimbasso but his Haag is a good bit smaller bore and he's using a lot smaller mouthpiece, similar to large bass trombone. If you notice in one of his videos in his practice room/apartment, he used an expensive mic with a screen placed in front of it. My apologies to the audiophile/golden-ear types, but I threw this video together using an iPad on a music stand about 3 feet away in my basement after having the horn for 2-3 days...guess you guys won't be nominating me for any Grammys....

Anyway, hope that helps. As stated in the video, I'll do a more in depth look at the horn as time allows and access to "state of the art" recording technology becomes available!

Best regards,

[Rivercity Tuba]

I am baffled by the comments from the TNJ. The demonstration, playing quality are all top notch. Chris demonstrated effectively what these instruments can do at a VERY high level. Thank him for his time and efforts, I for one appreciate them. For whatever it is worth, I make my living playing the tuba in a symphony orchestra.

[MackBrass]

I am baffled by the comments from the TNJ. The demonstration, playing quality are all top notch. Chris demonstrated effectively what these instruments can do at a VERY high level. Thank him for his time and efforts, I for one appreciate them. For whatever it is worth, I make my living playing the tuba in a symphony orchestra.

+1
I would love to hear those that claim to hear the grass grow put themselves out on YouTube. Unless you have done a pro audition and have at least advanced for something, you probably don't know what sounds good from the bad. Chris did a great demo and did the horn true justice as it deserves. Hats off to him as I will be doing one in the near future with my 200 dollars of recording equipment.

JMHO

[emcallaway]

We're all adults and sometimes even friends here. The world will be a better place if we focus our energies on making better music instead of nitpicking at each other.

I think that Mr. Olka did a fine review of the instrument and sounded great on it. I think that almost here can agree that he's a fantastic player and a very positive contributor to the tuba player community. In fact, following the related videos from his review landed me in his "Drill of the Week" series, which has given my practicing a bit more focus this week. Thanks, Chris!

[MackBrass]

Unless you have done a pro audition and have at least advanced for something, you probably don't know what sounds good from the bad.

That is perhaps the most insulting comment I've ever read on this board. Seriously. If you haven't won or advanced in an audition, you don't know good from bad? Get off your **** high horse already.

(edit for afterthought)

Who here HAS taken (and advanced) at a Cimbasso audition? Ehhh? Speak up.

I am not going to start anything with you but please don't miss quote me. Please read what I wrote as I said you probably dont know what sounds good from the bad. . This is a sad reality but very true. Sure I could have worded it differently but I certainly didn't mean it as an insult to anyone. My apologies if I offended anyone.

Tom

[DaTweeka]

I'd like to make it clear that I wasn't slamming Mr. Olka's playing, or the horn itself. It was asked if I thought it was a good sound, and I gave an honest opinion. Compared to the cimbasso in MY head, that horn just sounds a bit too tuba-like for my taste. I don't pretend to be all-knowing, but Donn openly asked for opinions on the sound of the horn, and I gave mine. I like the sound he gets (as stated above), but it's not THE sound I want. I don't expect anyone to play with that sound but myself, and once I have the means to get an ax of this type ( and have put in some good face time with it), I'll be more than happy to put up some videos on YouTube.

[bisontuba]

Hi-
The JinBao made Cimbasso clone is a great horn at an unbelievable price. However, it IS extremely mouthpiece sensitive. If you are going to ITEC and are going to play test one, make sure you try various mouthpieces with the horn--

Mark 'sure enjoying mine'....

[bisontuba]

What does "mouthpiece sensitive" mean?

Should I be using something besides a Conn "Chief" with mine...??

How about a 12C ?

Maybe a Dr. Young on it...

[MartyNeilan]

I think a lot of it comes down to this: most of us have no idea what a cimbasso is supposed to sound like. We know Bobo on the 184, Jake on the York, Fletch on the EEb. Who are our cimbasso idols?
A couple years ago a talented musician released a very well done CD featuring the cimbasso. It was top notch, but I found the sound slightly plain. It had neither the growl and grit of a commercial bass trombone nor the weight and girth of a tuba. It was very, very good vanilla to my ears. As we are still trying to figure out what physically constitutes a cimbasso, so also are we figuring out what should come out of the bell. Perhaps it might be safe to say there is no right or wrong this early in the game, as long as it is in time and in tune.