Mouthpiece suggestions for a HIRSBRUNNER HB-2 (rotary)

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Tuba1985
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Mouthpiece suggestions for a HIRSBRUNNER HB-2 (rotary)

Post by Tuba1985 »

I purchased a vintage HB-2 rotary CC-Tuba from 1979, a horn I was looking for, for a very long time. I played on a regular CONN 120S "Helleberg", that I'm still using in my F-Tuba, but it's just not working for me on the HIRSBRUNNER.
I really love the feel of the flat, thin rim as well as the inside rim diameter of the Helleberg but it sounds just too bright on the HIRSBRUNNER.
Do you have any recommendations concerning mouthpieces for this paricular tuba ?
Last edited by Tuba1985 on Sun Apr 17, 2016 3:41 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Hirsbrunner HB-2 CC-Tuba (1979)
Max Enders F-Tuba (1930s)

M.A. Arts & Cultural Management - Leuphana Universtiy Lueneburg
B.M. Tuba (Performance) - HfM Wuerzburg
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Re: Mouthpiece suggestions for a HIRSBRUNNER HB-2 (rotary)

Post by Tuba1985 »

bloke wrote:no tip-toeing here:

- Stainless steel doesn't have any sort of "feel" that is different from silver plating or gold plating layered over brass. The only difference occurs later, when the (as silver, gold, and brass are very soft metals) plating typically becomes scuffed, and the stainless steel usually remains very smooth.

- Geib-style (cup shape) mouthpieces, generally, offer a prettier type of sound than Helleberg-style mouthpieces, but most all of the one-piece brass Geib-style mouthpieces are sold with Geib-style (not Helleberg-style) rims and Geib-style (not the friendliest for quick low range response) throats.

Dear bloke, thanks for your fast reply. I really like the Helleberg on my F (it was a recommendation of Jens Björn Larsen and it works pretty good for me. The point with the stainless is that it feels somewhat harder than the silver / gold plated mouthpieces I was using so far. But I'm not absolutely againat it.
Hirsbrunner HB-2 CC-Tuba (1979)
Max Enders F-Tuba (1930s)

M.A. Arts & Cultural Management - Leuphana Universtiy Lueneburg
B.M. Tuba (Performance) - HfM Wuerzburg
B.M. Musical Research and Media - MuHo Mannheim
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Re: Mouthpiece siggestions for a HIRSBRUNNER HB-2 (rotary)

Post by Tuba1985 »

lost wrote:Congrats on the new HIRSBRUNNER!
Thanks a lot "lost" ... it really is my dream tuba and feels like I'm home now.
Hirsbrunner HB-2 CC-Tuba (1979)
Max Enders F-Tuba (1930s)

M.A. Arts & Cultural Management - Leuphana Universtiy Lueneburg
B.M. Tuba (Performance) - HfM Wuerzburg
B.M. Musical Research and Media - MuHo Mannheim
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Re: Mouthpiece siggestions for a HIRSBRUNNER HB-2 (rotary)

Post by Tuba1985 »

428E6AC7-D7C8-477F-BD4E-CDDE1098A203.jpeg
Curmudgeon wrote:Side note: Have you or anyone else posted info or pictures of your other tuba:
In his signature, Tuba1985 wrote:Max Enders F-Tuba (from the 1930s)
I 'd be curious to see more about that tuba... :D Sounds interesting!

Dear Curmudgeon,

I can post some photos of my Max Enders F-Tuba tomorrow. It's in the concert hall right now.
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Last edited by Tuba1985 on Tue Mar 30, 2021 10:55 am, edited 1 time in total.
Hirsbrunner HB-2 CC-Tuba (1979)
Max Enders F-Tuba (1930s)

M.A. Arts & Cultural Management - Leuphana Universtiy Lueneburg
B.M. Tuba (Performance) - HfM Wuerzburg
B.M. Musical Research and Media - MuHo Mannheim
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Re: Mouthpiece siggestions for a HIRSBRUNNER HB-2 (rotary)

Post by toakstertuba »

Congrats on your new baby! I second bloke on the Geib cup style mouthpieces. I've had great luck with the Laskey 30G (or deeper 30B) on my rotary contrabass tubas. Interestingly enough, I've found myself settling on the stainless original Baer on my current horn (one that is modeled after a Hirsbrunner). Took a while to get used to as it was drastically different from the Laskey, but I love the dark, pure tone I achieve with it. I haven't posted it for sale but I've got 2 Laskey 30B (1 standard/1 euro shank) that I'd sell. Not sure how much shipping would be to Deutschland...
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Re: Mouthpiece siggestions for a HIRSBRUNNER HB-2 (rotary)

Post by michael_glenn »

I own the same horn (even same year!). I really like the PT-48 on it. The stainless steel mouthpieces I tried kinda sucked away a lot of color from the horn, and so I don't care how they felt. I want the color of the horn, and steel kinda just sucked that away with all the ones I tried. I had a PT-88 for a while and it was ok. But after going around with a few, the PT-48 has been the best overall.
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Re: Mouthpiece siggestions for a HIRSBRUNNER HB-2 (rotary)

Post by oedipoes »

If I'm remembering well, the standard mouthpiece that came (comes?) with a new Hirsbrunner was the Bruno Tilz M1.
http://www.fmb-direkt.de/TILZ-B-Tubamun ... =tilz%20M1

Never tried one in a Hirsbrunner though...
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Re: Mouthpiece siggestions for a HIRSBRUNNER HB-2 (rotary)

Post by michael_glenn »

oedipoes wrote:If I'm remembering well, the standard mouthpiece that came (comes?) with a new Hirsbrunner was the Bruno Tilz M1.
http://www.fmb-direkt.de/TILZ-B-Tubamun ... =tilz%20M1

Never tried one in a Hirsbrunner though...
I own one of these. I liked it a lot. Just not quite as much as the PT-48.
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Re: Mouthpiece siggestions for a HIRSBRUNNER HB-2 (rotary)

Post by Wilco »

I used to own the bb version (5 valve rotary). The M1 is a fine mouthpiece, but for me the PT83 worked better (euro shank). A little bit more colour in the sound. Concrats on the horn!
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Re: Mouthpiece suggestions for a HIRSBRUNNER HB-2 (rotary)

Post by vandoeduardo »

bloke wrote:no tip-toeing here:

- Stainless steel doesn't have any sort of "feel" that is different from silver plating or gold plating layered over brass. Any difference in feel will occur later, when the (as silver, gold, and brass are very soft metals) plating typically (and often: quickly) becomes scuffed, and the stainless steel usually remains very smooth.

- Geib-style (cup shape) mouthpieces, generally, offer a prettier type of sound than Helleberg-style mouthpieces, but most all of the one-piece brass Geib-style mouthpieces are sold with Geib-style (not Helleberg-style) rims and Geib-style (not the friendliest for quick low range response) throats.
Ok, sorry for bring this from a long time ago...
Buuut, there is a model known as Schilke Geib... I have one of those... Can post pictures later...
Tuba1985
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HIRSBRUNNER HB-2 (rotary) - photos added

Post by Tuba1985 »

After a veeery long time my HB-2 is now fully restorated and looks and plays better than new (I think). I hope you're enjoying the pics.
Sadly my Enders F is still in restoration and I hope to get it back till April, will post some photos of it then.

p.s.: Found the right mouthpiece (for me) for the HB-2 ... am using a Perantucci PT-45 and the sound, intonation and flexibility are perfect for me.
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Hirsbrunner HB-2 CC-Tuba (1979)
Max Enders F-Tuba (1930s)

M.A. Arts & Cultural Management - Leuphana Universtiy Lueneburg
B.M. Tuba (Performance) - HfM Wuerzburg
B.M. Musical Research and Media - MuHo Mannheim
Tuba1985
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Re: Mouthpiece suggestions for a HIRSBRUNNER HB-2 (rotary)

Post by Tuba1985 »

Finally The tubas are finished and I got a photo of the two
Babies ...
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Hirsbrunner HB-2 CC-Tuba (1979)
Max Enders F-Tuba (1930s)

M.A. Arts & Cultural Management - Leuphana Universtiy Lueneburg
B.M. Tuba (Performance) - HfM Wuerzburg
B.M. Musical Research and Media - MuHo Mannheim
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Mouthpiece / HIRSBRUNNER HB-2 (rotary)

Post by Robert Tucci »

Tuba 195,

Call us at R. Tucci-Musikinstrumente in Munich (089 8007 6868). We know the HB-2 and have mouthpieces that provide good sound and response.

Bob Tucci
Tuba1985
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Re: Mouthpiece suggestions for a HIRSBRUNNER HB-2 (rotary)

Post by Tuba1985 »

Dear All,

Thanks a lot for all the great advices, I gave the Windhager Brand a second chance and am totally happy with the results. Mr. Windhager is a great guy to deal with, he made me an in between size that fits wonderfully without any extra costs and offered a Helleberg style rim which is rather new in his lineup. So thanks to Mr. Windhager for the great service and products.
Hirsbrunner HB-2 CC-Tuba (1979)
Max Enders F-Tuba (1930s)

M.A. Arts & Cultural Management - Leuphana Universtiy Lueneburg
B.M. Tuba (Performance) - HfM Wuerzburg
B.M. Musical Research and Media - MuHo Mannheim
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Mouthpiece - HIRSBRUNNER HB-2 (rotary)

Post by Robert Tucci »

Tuba 1985,

You have a lovely instrument, a classic in excellent condition. The recommendation for the PT-83 is good but please consider that our models and their designations were changed many years ago. The old PT-83 with the model number stamped on the shell would be an old one: those of modern design, both PT and RT, have the model designations roll-stamped between the trim lines. The current mouthpiece, ideal for the vintage HB, is the PT/RT-82. This has a well-rounded cup which adds color and low response which benefits the HB series. The four-digit number on the bell brace indicates the year of production (first two digits).

Enjoy that fine instrument, with the right mouthpiece it will serve you well.

Bob Tucci-Munich
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Re: Mouthpiece suggestions for a HIRSBRUNNER HB-2 (rotary)

Post by SuperTubaMan »

Hi everyone! Is there possibly anyone selling a Hirsbrunner? I am looking for a Kalison Daryl Smith as well. Please let me know!! Thank you so much
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