Meinl Weston 2155

big_blue_tubist · Post by **big_blue_tubist** » Mon Apr 26, 2004 10:20 pm

On the old Tubenet, there was much discussion on the Meinl 2155. Much of this discussion was in 1999 and 2000. I just wonder if the 2155 has undergone any changes since then. Thanks for any input.

Jonathan Fowler · Post by **Jonathan Fowler** » Tue Apr 27, 2004 12:12 am

I'm not sure what the discussions were previously, concerning the 2155...but having recently purchased a laquered one from dillon's I could not be happier with the horn. I remember playing some older ones a few (maybe 6 or 7) years back and remember how dead and unresonant it felt. Whether it was a change to how I play or (certainly both are true) adjustments made to the production of the instrument my recent purchase was surely a suprise to myself...
The intonation is great but the best thing is that the feel of the horn is absolutley consistent throughout. The one change I would like to experiment with someday would be a wider bell flair to make the sound a little (just a little) more "bloomy" and less directional. In a larger space the directional quality of the sound is less noticeable, but the trombone section seems to like the security it gives them, even more so than my old yorkbrunner.
I couldn't have made a bigger change than what I did (yorkbrunner to 2155) but am quite relieved to find that I am still very pleased.

porkchopsisgood · Post by **porkchopsisgood** » Tue Apr 27, 2004 2:19 am

Hey John....how's things?

I'm glad to hear you hyping up the 2155...one of the freshman here at TU just picked up a silver one that was originally from Dillon's. It is an incredible horn, and I can't wait for the chance to purchase one myself.

BTW....you didn't get rid of the Yorkbrunner, did you? Just curious....I'm broke....

Take care, John...

Allen V. Carter
avcarter@temple.edu

Jonathan Fowler · Post by **Jonathan Fowler** » Tue Apr 27, 2004 7:54 am

How are you Allen?

..yes actually I "liquidated" all of my horn assets last October (sold the Yorkbrunner and the MW 45 F) and bought two new horns from Dillon's. I got the new MW 2155 and the new Alex F...of which I have no idea what the model number is, but is a sweet horn.

Matt Walters · Post by **Matt Walters** » Tue Apr 27, 2004 11:03 am

Hey,
About the only changes I know of since around 1999, are a change to the 3rd valve slide and an adjustable thumb ring.
1) The third slide length is the same, but it is now made with the bottom 3rd slide having longer ferrules. When you remove the slide, the 5th rotor is easier to service that way. Also, about 20% of the buyers of the MW 2155 think the 3rd slide is too long. With longer ferrules in the bottom slide, we can unsolder that, cut it and put it back together with spot lacquer for a horn that still looks new.
2) The adjustable thumb ring is a help, but it would have been nice if they raised it at least 5mm for those with smallish hands. But that can be modified and spot lacquered and again, leave the horn looking like new.

It's a great horn. It's just that whenever anything new comes out, everyone wants the latest toy. The Besson 995 and the Miraphone 1291 CC tubas are a newer models.

Stefan · Post by **Stefan** » Tue Apr 27, 2004 2:25 pm

The 2155 has gotten a bad rap as long as I have been reading this board. I am not sure exactly why. Aside from a sticky valve problem I had earlier on (which is fixed now), I think it is a fine tuba. I am just glad I bought it when I did. The price has sure gone up.

Stefan Antwarg

CJ Krause · Post by **CJ Krause** » Tue Apr 27, 2004 3:07 pm

JCalkin · Post by **JCalkin** » Tue Apr 27, 2004 3:10 pm

I have a 2155, which was made before the modifications Matt was referring to.

I really like the 2155. I agree to a point about the sound being "directional", and I had to experiment with mouthpieces a bit to find one that broadened the sound out... I settled on a Finn MF 1, though I'm considering a change to the MF 2 so I can get a MF 4 for my F tuba and have matching rims.

The tuba is heavy for its size, and I think it has something to do with the fact that it seems LOADED with excess stuff... it's got about half a million braces on it which I'm sure helps the durability somewhat. I was wondering though if all that extra metal affects the resonance in any way. Maybe Matt could answer this...

The 2155 has gotten a bad rap in part due to the release of the 2000, which is very similar, yet considered far superior by many. I'm not one of those people. For ME, the difference wasn't enough to justify the extra cost.

I, too, bought my instrument pre-Euro, which saved me about $800.00

tubacdk · Post by **tubacdk** » Tue Apr 27, 2004 3:22 pm

bbtubaman wrote:The original rotary tall 2155 had some intonation issues and I did not like that tuba as much. It was an unusual looking CC tuba.

The bows were very tall and it was completely different than the new piston tubas. They played well and with a nice sound. with the bell so tall for me it was hard to hear and it tipped easily.

you dont see many older rotary 2155's around. a google search for one, even a pic of one turned up nothing

here is mine:

From my discussions with others about this model, mine has unusually good pitch. The only real problem note is the Eb below the staff, which is horrifically sharp played 2&3. Playing it 1&5 makes it slot perfectly, and it has become a very easy alternate for me to use. Aside from that note, everything else is spot-on. I actually use this alternate on my RM-43 now for the sake of consistency, and it's fine. I have honestly never played a better sounding large CC tuba, including the HB-6 I used to own. I don't expect I'll ever sell it.

Chuck Koontz