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Is it still possible to buy a brand new Meinl-Weston 32?

It's been a number of years since I've seen them listed as being available as new, but I'm not sure if that's for lack of demand, or because they discontinued them or something. Does Meinl Weston take special orders for off-list instruments like this?

Thanks!

Yes, with enough money and a cooperative dealer - along with the patience to wait for it, you can get whatever MW model you want and they'll build to it to order. Or at least you could before JA Musik sold out to the Buffet Group. I once talked briefly with Gerhard Meinl about this and he told me that they have all of the tooling and patterns for every model that has ever been built under the Melton / MW name and could build any model someone wanted by special request. So...perhaps the best way to answer your question is to say that it's theoretically possible...if you can get the Buffet Group to play ball.

Thanks, Tom. Hrmm... which US dealer holds the most clout with Herr Meinl these days?

I'm still at least a year off from making any decisions about anything, but I've spent the last few weeks listening to every old recording of myself that I can find. I was surprised to re-discover how much I liked the sound of my old VMI-branded Meinl-Weston 30. At the time I always thought it was too small and I worked too much to use 4 valves instead of 5. But, knowing what I know now, I think that sound was pretty well suited to me and it really didn't take that much work. Heck, it takes more work to take a "different" horn and make it sound like something it's not, than it is to take the "right" horn and make it sound like what it is.

Sorry to ramble. I think I'm just amazed that I came full circle to realize that a 4/4 rotary CC is exactly where I should be, and that bigger tubas just aren't "the bort sound."

Thanks guys.

Joe, my old tuba was the 4-valve version of the one you had. Exact same thing, but 4 valves. If a 5-valve version comes around again, I'd be interested. Besides being a good player, I liked that the valveset and that the thumb ring is on the bell stack, and not under the 3rd valve tubing.

bloke wrote:I had to fabricate a custom crook for that 5th valve slide.
The original 5th valve slide was a wonky roller coaster-lookin' old-style Miraphone length (l-o-n-g) slide.

Interesting... well, if you come across another one of those, post about it here. I could very well be interested.

PS -- apparently the moderators think this is a WTB post... it's not, it's a "do they make this?" post.

Personally I think it would make more sense to find a used one you liked rather than taking a chance on having a new one built as a custom order and it turns out to be a one off dud. With a used one you can try before you buy and if you really like it have it rebuilt. Even a total rebuild gotta be cheaper than a custom built one and probably in your hands quicker.

Just out of curiosity, what is it about the 32 that would make a new one more desirable than other rotary CCs on the market? Is there a particular spec or characteristic?

Fair question... I used own one, and I liked it a lot. Great sound and intonation, and the recordings I have of it sound really good. Fat sound with plenty of cut.

Not all THAT many medium sized CC's out there, all thing considered. For a tuba that I plan to keep long term, I would want to start fresh and put 30 years on it myself. After all, every tuba was new at one time or another.

Just one of many ideas I am.considering.

Thanks. This makes me wonder about superior instruments that have fallen out of fashion in the rush to get out new designs. Would we be better off if the Holton 345 or Conn 24J (just for example) were still in production with modern techniques and design tweaks?