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Kalison CC Tuba, good ?

Sound , intonation or material not good ?

Didn't Joanna Hersey win the Coast Guard Band on one of those?

I owned an Daryl Smith model for 14 months. The only reason I traded it was because it didn't have the sound I was looking for. The valves were great. The intonation was decent and it was comfortable. Unfortunately, the sound was rather bland. In addition it was rather mouthpiece sensitive. The last mouthpiece I used on it was a gold plated Pat Sheridan O1. It worked well for that horn.

My 56J gives me everything I liked about the Kalison, a sound that I love and much more.

Now, the Kalison 2001 intrigues me. I am very curious to try one of them out. I have heard that it is the best Kalison model built to date. Unfortantely, it's huge AND expensive.

Try them for yourself. I've played one 3 and 2 stunk. But that one made me want to get it....






Ralph

I owned a Kalison Daryl Smith model about 12 years ago (it was my first CC horn). Here's what I think:

Sound: The overall sound of the horn was OK, but tended to get bright on the loud end. Some might say the sound breaks down before it should. It was unremarkable otherwise.

Intonation: Questionable. I pulled more slides on that thing than any other horn I've owned. Combination 1-2 would have been useless if not for a long 1st slide in easy reach.

Workmanship: Metal was very soft and very dentable. Bell could be dinged and rolled out with your fingers. The valve section was attached to the bell and bows by 4 screws. I had to bring a screwdriver with me wherever I went (though in retrospect, I could have used some plumbers tape or Lock-tite or something).

Conclusion: I wish my first CC had NOT been a Kalison.

Mike, I think Joanna was probably playing a 4/4 Rudy at that time.

MikeMason wrote:Didn't Joanna Hersey win the Coast Guard Band on one of those?

I don't know the answer to that question, but I won the Marine Band audition on one. I also know of at least one other who made the finals for our band on one. Great horn for the money.

Cameron Gates

bloke wrote:Where does "good" fit into the overall rating scale?

between fair and gooder

Charlie; you should try the KALISON 2001 CC model. Is much better sounding tuba than any PRO 2000 or any DS. I own one a love it!!

I have a Kalison DS CC, and I am in the middle. Some days I love it, some days I hate it. I don't know how much is me and how much is the horn. I have found that it is hard for me to get the big, round, robust sound I like. The response is a little slow, and I have encountered many intonation problems (again, I don't know how much of this is me or the horn). The adjustible thumb ring and reachability of the slides are terrific additions. The middle register is great, the upper register is good, and the low register is decent. I have not had a problem with the Ab, which is strange, considering I have quite a few intonation problems. This tuba could easily go for $1,000 higher. Before you buy this tuba, check out the Mirafone 1291 5VC. It's price at wwbw reccently dropped to below the Kalison DS's price at the tuba exchange. If the 1291 had been that enexpensive at the time I bought my DS, I might not be replying in this thread...

iv'e played 1 daryl smith kalison, and was not impressed, and the owner of it was thoroughly not impressed with it. It had very poor drainage and had problems with the 2nd piston. it may have just been one bad horn, but i have heard nothing but negative comments about it. best thing to do is find one, play it, and examine all aspects of it before making a decision. could be a very large investment.
for what its worth, i've also played a kalison 2001 and thought it played much better than the DS.

The 'brightness' I think you're talking about (not to step on your toes....inconsistancies abound on this horn) came out as vibrant on my horn

I have found that I have a mildly dark sound, and people are suprized to find that I play a DS. Like tubalawlisa, I too regret being so hasty in buying my horn. I got it last Septimber, wishing I had enough money to buy the 1291. Now the 1291 is cheaper at wwbw than my Kalison was at TE. Patience is a virtue. Unfortunitly I am no Virtuoso.

Cameron Gates wrote:

MikeMason wrote:Didn't Joanna Hersey win the Coast Guard Band on one of those?

I don't know the answer to that question, but I won the Marine Band audition on one. I also know of at least one other who made the finals for our band on one. Great horn for the money.

Cameron Gates

Joanna won the CG band audition on her big Rudi Meinl. I've played Cameron Gates' Kalison, and I loved the big ol' sound, but I had trouble getting it in tune. Gates could make it dance. Took a whole lot of slide pulling, but it was worthy.