Gronitz F tubas

[erictuba]

Hey, just wanted to see what everyone had to say about the gronitz f tubas. Specifically the piston model. Also, how you would rate them incomparison to say, a yamaha 822, or meinl weston 452lp.

Or, any reccomendations for a good all around f tuba these days.

Thanks
Eric

[leehipp]

I've played on both the piston and rotory Gronitz F's that the Tuba Exchange has (for the past four summers while at the Eastern Music Festival) and I own an 822.

These are two different animals and you need to understand what they both do well and one does not do as easily as the other.

The 822 is a great horn for covering a large range with a big full sound. I use it a lot in the orchestra for many different circumstances. I like the sound I get on it because it sounds like a tuba, not a big one, not a little one; it just has a great sound.

In my opinion, the rotary Gronitz F has one of the most beautiful F tuba sounds in the world. It reminds me of some of the qualities I enjoyed hearing out of the Alexander F I used to play but with a little bigger sound.

If I were looking for something to take to auditions and play solos on I would probably lean towards the Gronitz today (that particular model was not around when I bought my 822).

If I wanted an F that could be as versatile as possible and was able to go into almost any situation and do the job, I would go with the 822.

I have not been so hot on the piston model myself because I have never felt it had the beauty of the rotary and was not as versatile as the 822.

[Haugan]

I have a Gronitz PF125 "F" and it is a great all-round horn. Sounds in many ways like a 4/4 CC, especially in the lower register. However, I am interested in getting one of the Gronitz F rotor tubas - I'm kind of a traditionalist, and am very comfortable with the idea of perhaps exchanging the PT 125 (silver plated-mint condition) for the rotary version (even unlaquered brass o.k.) I played one Vince S. had at "midwest" a couple of years back, and it seemed to fit my "concept" better. The Gronitz I would be trading can be seen (and heard in V.W. Concerto 2nd mvt - have mercy, it was a "live" performance) on my website <hauganmusic.com> The horn appears to the left of the Hirsbrunner Kaiser BBb in the photo. Not interested in other F tubas at this time- I already own York, Conn, W. Meinl, Mirafone and Alexander "F"s, so am only interested in trade with another Gronitz owner. Also - I may be selling off some tubas in the future, and as always can help "locate" unusual European and American discontinued models - contact me for further information. - Paul Haugan p.s. sorry, none of my Yorks for sale yet, guys