Hello everyone,
I'm putting this out there as a feeler. Not quite ready to let go of this horn just yet, but I am looking to get a bigger horn in the near future.
This horn is a little weird with its brand being B&S, as it was produced in China. A 4/4 Nirschl copy, it still has the thicker metal you see on typical German horns. Compared to the Eastman 4/4 tubas, its ever-so-slightly larger, heavier, and though the Eastmans are a little bit lighter and easier to play, the amount of core and sound you can get out of the 795 rounds it out to be more on the German side of things.
The condition of this horn is decent. It's got its fair share of dents/scratches and will need some attention in the first valve. It has had really good work done before. The 1st, 3rd, and 4th slides work very well (none are vented). There's lacquer wear in some spots around the horn, most significantly on the outer top bow, but I've had a piece of cloth wrapped around it for around 8 months.
The horn sounds really good and genuinely does punch above its weight class. It produces a very warm sound with lots and lots of core and overtones. It takes a little bit more gumption to play but the ability to cover any large band/orchestra with a pure blanket of sound while still being nimble and light enough for smaller groups does wonders.
You can hear the horn in action with a large symphony by looking up the 2024 NYO-USA program on YouTube or the WQXR Carnegie Hall WOW Broadcast. Barber Symphony 1 has lots of tuba moments that showcase the dynamicness of the horn, and Scheherazade is classic and shows how powerful it can be (the mixing on those videos didn't really favor tuba or bass that well but tuba is more audible than bass. My friends and I agree it filled up the 5 halls we played in pretty well). I can also send some clips of what it sounds like solo upon request.
Pictures will be available upon contact at inorafhael@gmail.com (fun fact, this horn was on the TMEA floor in 2023; some of you may have already tried this specific horn, and there's already a forum entry about it!)
I'll quit the yapping now, I really love this horn and it does so many things very well. Thank you!
Best,
Rufino M.
B&S 795 International - $6,500
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This forum is for buying or selling your personal equipment. Sponsored selling is allowed as well. All ads are required to have the following information: Price (even for trades), brand, model, and location (City and State, for instruments, not accessories). It is acceptable to link to an external ad if you are promoting a sale of your personal equipment. No Ebay auctions, but "Buy It Now" listings are fine. Photos are HIGHLY suggested as well, and may be hosted on Google Drive, or elsewhere. If you see an ad that does not meet these criteria, please report it.