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Re: Friday observations from DC

Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2018 12:18 am
by bort
Thanks Mark -- can you give the Miraphone Hagen (any models) a try, if possible?

Re: Friday observations from DC

Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2018 7:23 am
by Oldschooltuba
Mark, you were temped by my piggy when I sold it last year.... and it was silver, magic silver at that.
:tuba:

Re: Friday observations from DC

Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2018 9:12 am
by UDELBR
Did you honk on the new Wessex contrabass trombone prototype? Also interested in your impression of their big 6/4 BBb "Grand".

And of course their French tuba! 8)

Re: Friday observations from DC

Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2018 11:23 am
by Three Valves
The onion rings at the bowling alley are top notch!!

I want to see the JMU Brass Band this afternoon.

:tuba:

Re: Friday observations from DC

Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2018 6:45 pm
by Three Valves
Sgt Thiele of the USMC Band (tuba)joined the JMU Brass Band for a feature. I’m glad I went. I also went back for more onion rings!!

Re: Observations from DC

Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2018 10:07 am
by Ken Crawford
Anyone give the BMB revised CC 6/4 a blow?

Re: Observations from DC

Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2018 10:34 am
by groth
Let's not ignore the obvious as well, that there's a gigantic difference playing a certain horn in a convention hall with no acoustics, and a million people around you talking loudly and other horns, drums, instruments playing anything and everything versus how it sounds "in the mix" with the ensemble you normally would play with either outdoors or in a concert hall. I've played amazing "sounding" horns that were perfect I thought in every way at NAMM once and had the chance to use the same one in my normal day to day group and it wasn't the same sound I heard in the convention environment. I guess it's truly up to preference nowadays as to what country you want building your horn.

Re: Observations from DC

Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2018 10:53 am
by Ken Crawford
groth wrote:I guess it's truly up to preference nowadays as to what country you want building your horn.

It's a global economy. Your Buffet umbrella horn may already have Chinese valves in it...

Re: Observations from DC

Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2018 11:12 am
by bort
kmorgancraw wrote:
groth wrote:I guess it's truly up to preference nowadays as to what country you want building your horn.

It's a global economy. Your Buffet umbrella horn may already have Chinese valves in it...
...but not your Miraphone!

Re: Observations from DC

Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2018 11:17 am
by groth
kmorgancraw wrote:
groth wrote:I guess it's truly up to preference nowadays as to what country you want building your horn.

It's a global economy. Your Buffet umbrella horn may already have Chinese valves in it...
What would you consider to be a Buffet "Umbrella" horn?

Re: Observations from DC

Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2018 11:18 am
by groth
bort wrote:
kmorgancraw wrote:
groth wrote:I guess it's truly up to preference nowadays as to what country you want building your horn.

It's a global economy. Your Buffet umbrella horn may already have Chinese valves in it...
...but not your Miraphone!
Or your Kanstul or your St. Pete, or your Rudy Meinl or Hirsbrunner etc.. :lol:

Re: Observations from DC

Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2018 1:51 pm
by Tubaryan12
Mark Finley wrote: The festivo was very nice. It played so much better than the prototype at ITEC 18 months ago. If you want a front action euphonium, buy without hesitation
What he said. Valves were better than last year, and it did seem to blow easier. It maybe mouthpiece sensitive, but I liked the sound from my JP 274 better. If I could make it sound like the JP, I'd be very tempted because the Festivo, to me, is so damn easy to hold.

Re: Observations from DC

Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2018 2:29 pm
by bort
Did the Wessex and Eastman 6/4 tubas take the world by storm?

Re: Observations from DC

Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2018 2:31 pm
by Three Valves
Wessex valves did feel better and more consistent throughout their lineup.

I liked the little John Packer 4 valve piston. (Once I figured out how the tuning slides worked) But the 379B (the piggy looking one) is about the same size and you give up much less.

Packer is really taking over the scene. Retailers like Baltimore Brass have given up on JZ and Jinbao clones.

It was fun chatting with Mark, Joe and Jonathan briefly. I was hoping to get my hands on a Miraphone 282 just for giggles but Dillon didn’t have one this year. Like I’d actually buy it... :roll:

Re: Observations from DC

Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2018 2:33 pm
by Three Valves
bort wrote:Did the Wessex and Eastman 6/4 tubas take the world by storm?
...and the BMB. But don’t take my word for it, ask them!!

Re: Observations from DC

Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2018 2:40 pm
by PlayTheTuba
I thought the 6/4 Martin BBb and 6/4 top action Holton were very, very nice. I always see everyone praising Martins and now I understand why. The low range didn't play very well BUT it was such a nice tuba! I wish that Martins never went out of business :( . I now have a very strong desire to own a Martin tuba. I guess I better get my degree and a job so I can buy one when one shows up for sale again!

Re: Observations from DC

Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2018 2:58 pm
by Wyvern
Great to meet some of you at DC!

The horns which seemed the biggest hits (and least the most played) on the Wessex booth were the Chicago 6/4 CC (majority feedback was preference for the Presence with 18” bell), 6/4 BBb Grand, BBb Helicon, Duplex euphonium, French C tuba and Gnagey Eb.

But you won’t believe me if I say how great they play, which is why Wessex is exhibiting all over the states (as well as Spain and Austria) in 2018, so as many of you as possible get a chance to try - and decide for yourself.

We will be at TMEA and I am currently in the process of arranging stop-offs on roadtrip to Texas - of which I will post as finalised.

PS Today having a rest before the long drive!

Re: Observations from DC

Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2018 3:16 pm
by TNID
Mark, it was very nice to speak with you as I was preparing to try out the MRP CC. A bit later I even got to sit and speak with Bob Tucci for a while, and he played a few things on the MRP for me.

I agree with you that the Tuono had an edge in some respects, and overall I got much more than I expected from that horn. I think the lack of traditional thumb ring made a big difference in that you could physically feel what the horn was doing much more than with other instruments.

This event was a great way for me to jump back into playing after a few years away. I went ahead with an order and should have a new silver Miraphone 1293 delivered this week. :D

Catch you a bit later,
Daniel

Re: Observations from DC

Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2018 3:19 pm
by The Big Ben
Tell us a little more about the Wessex tournister euphonium. The price isn't too high and if it is necessary to carry a horn around which will play in the T-Bone/Euph/cello range, it might be handy.

Re: Observations from DC

Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2018 5:02 pm
by pgym
Wyvern wrote:Great to meet some of you at DC! [Others, not so much.]
FTFY.

:twisted: :twisted: :twisted: