TubeNet

Hello all,

This is my first post on this particular tuba discussion group.

I'm looking for every bit of info I can get regarding my Walter Nirschl "Meister" CC tuba. I haven't actually heard of anyone in this country (Canada) owning one but myself. I bought it just over 10 years from Orpheo in Texas (dealt with Lee Hip). I'll have to get back to you on the serial number as I don't have it handy. Here's what I know about it just from playing it:

19.5 inch bell
Laquer finish
Most efficient and versatile 'biggish' horn I've ever played. (I've been told it's a compact 5/4 but I'd just call it a 4/4...please, let's not start a whole new thread on that topic.)
With this horn I can achieve a lovely, velvety singing tone as well as a clean, crisp articulation. The low end speaks phenominally well.

Basically that's about all I know. I bought it back in highschool at a great price and had it shipped up to Canada for a trial. Needless to say I didn't send it back. I've played it everywhere from quintet settings, solo with piano as well as with orchestra and it's certainly held its own in the back row of the Toronto Symphony each time I've been lucky enough to get called to sub.

I've tried to contact Mr. Nirschl himself for a long, long time with no luck. Floyd Cooley was kind enough to give me Mr. Nirschl's contact info but couldn't enlighten me on anything else.

Although it isn't marked on my horn anywhere, I think I recall it being referred to as the "54 C" model.

Basically, any knowledge as to the history of the horn and even exact specs would be appreciated. None of this has been all that important as I've simply been more than happy, if a little ignorant, with the instrument for the last decade.

Thanks in advance!

Al Carter
Freelance Tubist
Toronto, Ontario
Canada
toobist@rogers.com

I believe it is an update of the Bohm and Meinl (5520?), which is an update of the piston Marzan tubas. Some searching should bring up info on these horns.

Al,

I own essentially the same "Meister Walter Nirschl" CC tuba as yours. I love it. The original owner of my Nirschl also purchased it new from Lee Hipp at Orpheus Music.

Herr Nirschl informed me that he built 15 of these tubas in this configuration:

lacquer finish (the later models that were sold through Custom Music were all silver) with ornate logo engraving;

5th valve rotor appears after the four pistons, with long linkage from the thumb paddle to the rotor.

Does that match the description of your tuba?

I'm told that the significance of the serial number of my tuba, 08294, is that the horn was completed on August 2, 1994. Is your serial number in the same sequence?

I may have more detailed information at home regarding the graduated bore sizes, etc. If so, I'll forward it to you.

That would be wonderful! Thanks so much.

Yeah, that fifth valve has made a couple repair techs cringe. I wonder why Herr Nirschl decided to pu such a long action on it. I haven't truly found any issues with it myself. I seem to compensate for the slightly sluggish movement without a thought now.

Do you find you need to use any alternate fingerings for better tuning on the 3rd line D and/or the first space A?

Toobist wrote:Yeah, that fifth valve has made a couple repair techs cringe. I wonder why Herr Nirschl decided to pu such a long action on it.

He changed the configuration on later versions.

I haven't truly found any issues with it myself. I seem to compensate for the slightly sluggish movement without a thought now.

I had a spring attached to both segments of the linkage. This makes the action of the paddle much faster, albeit somewhat more stiff. However, since I'm also a pianist, I can deal with it.

Do you find you need to use any alternate fingerings for better tuning on the 3rd line D and/or the first space A?

Yes, I do need to make "adjustments" for the intonation on these two notes. For the D, I have to push the first valve slide all the way in (its default setting is approximately 3/4" out). Correspondingly, I have to pull the first valve slide to get the second line B-flat in tune.

For the A, 3 sounds better than 1-2.

But I'm not complaining! Overall, the intonation is very satisfactory. And the warm tone, ease of speaking characteristics, and the great low range to which you referred make this a wonderful horn to play.

Wow! The consistancy between your horn and mine is amazing, Steve. I use the exact same fingering/tuning slide positions! We most definately have the same model! I'll get back to you on the serial number on mine once I get home for the day.

Anyone else out there have any experience with this great horn?

Here is more information provided by Ernst Fischer, who was (is?) Walter Nirschl's assistant:

Our model number here is 5625. Your tuba was built in 1994.

The bore size of your machine is

1. - 3. valve 19mm
4th valve 20mm
5th valve 21,5mm