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Has anyone purchased or played a recent BRAND NEW Rudolf Meinl 3/4 CC Tuba? I know that Lee Stofer has a close connection to the Meinl family, and can get them, but I wondered if there is anyone here that has either bought one recently or at least played one. Rudolf Meinl has always made great tubas and the instruments seemed to get better and better over the years. My question is ... how do the newest ones compare to what's been out there for years? What are the improvements? What's the price?

I've been playing on a Rudy 3/4 as my "bread and butter" horn for the past 21 years, as of this past June (in addition to other instruments for different circumstances). I don't believe I've tried a new 3/4 since ... 2000?! I believe the last new one I tried was a 4/4 in 2002 at the ITEC at UNCG! It's been a while and curious since no one in the states carries them anymore.

Thanks!

Mike Milnarik

Talk to Adam Peck. He bought one recently from Lee... not sure if it was 100% new, but if not, it was very, very recent. And spectacular.

Price... oof... I'd guess $15k+?

Thanks, Bort!

MM

I have a new-ish one, but of course I bought it used, and I can't tell you much beyond that!

bort wrote:Talk to Adam Peck. He bought one recently from Lee... not sure if it was 100% new, but if not, it was very, very recent. And spectacular.

Price... oof... I'd guess $15k+?

2nd'd. Its also worth noting thats its an anniversary/ special model.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=68270" target="_blank

Oh good lord, this was 3 years ago? I guess in my world, that seems "recently"...

Oh, I wish the Rudy 4/4 played like the 3/4! Maybe the new ones do?

Adam, sounds like a magnificent tuba! Is it pretty lightweight?

Adam, I'm sure your horn is a beauty, but I think it might be a bit older than 5 years. When I last visited Rudy in January 2017 I asked him about and showed him photos, but he didn't think it was a recent horn.

I wish I was able to drop by and play it - it looks beautiful!

Hi Adam!

Thank you for this information! I appreciate your taking the time to describe it! I definitely need to connect with you when I'm down there, beer's on me!

I know exactly what you are saying - I've been playing on them for 21 years and have owned a number of them in that time. All of them have played great - but there are subtle differences that I pick up on that gets me all knotted up about which one I should keep! HAHA! How's the top space G and the mid line D? Have they tweaked them at all? For those reading, those two notes are, in my experience, the ones that need a little attention - as the D is flat and the G is sharp - but they are definitely adjustable. Wondering if RM is making that a little better.

Compared to other Rudys you've played, how is the valve action? Smoother? Easier? Better overall? Depending on when an instrument was manufactured they all have varying degrees of quality, but it seemed that the newer they get the better they are.

Very cool! I'd love to play a new one!

Oh, I tried the links in the 2015 post that Bort referred me to (thanks, Bort!) but they didn't seem to work for me. Do you have any photos that I can take a peek at of your horn? Either here or mike [at] milnarik [dot] com?

Again, thanks, Adam!!

Mike

Moral of the story: if you purchase it new, keep the receipt. If you purchase it used, keep the receipt, since it will be at least as old as the receipt. If you...keep the receipt. Did I say keep the receipt?

Thanks, Adam!!

MM

To respond to iiipopes and others;

I imported the show model Rudi 3/4 CC tuba one year before Adam bought it. A customer in the South requested that I acquire the tuba for him, and he then put it into his collection, only playing it very little. A year later, he decided to pursue another instrument, and asked me to sell this one for him. Adam responded, and bought it. I do not know how long the instrument was in service as a convention show horn by Rudolf Meinl prior to being buffed, lacquered and sold as a new horn, but it left the factory right around 4 years ago. If it were to become an issue for anyone, I could dig through records and give you the day and hour that I arrived at Air Freight at O'Hare in Chicago to pick it up. . . . .

Yes, the newer Rudolf Meinls are slightly better than the older ones, as they have held the line on quality, and do indeed keep on getting better. That is why they are not cheap, because top-quality work in Germany, using top-quality materials is not cheap.

The original owner needed an extended main tuning slide (as he does for all of his instruments), so Rudi sent me the parts and I assembled and fitted the slide to the tuba, then buffed and lacquered it.

To answer Mike Milnarik, a new Rudi 3/4 CC, finished to your specs, with case, imported, with accompanying Customs, bonding, freight, etc., will run about $19,000.00. If you buy a new one from me, I will personally drive over from Iowa and deliver it to you.

Haha!! Thanks, Lee!!

Beautiful horn, Adam!! Thanks for posting some horn dorn for us!!

Mike Milnarik