Walter Nirschl 6/4 BBb Tuba with 5th valve

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Jess Haney
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Re: Walter Nirschl 6/4 BBb Tuba with 5th valve

Post by Jess Haney »

Told you Tubenet this horn existed. I want it. And you doubted me.
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FunkyTuba
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Re: Walter Nirschl 6/4 BBb Tuba with 5th valve

Post by FunkyTuba »

It's apparently a mystery that's been around this forum going back a decade.

John, it looks like you've got something special on your hands here. Possibly so rare that this forum can't help you. I am a relative newcomer so I'm not 100% familiar with all the personages that hang out here.

It'd probably be worth your money to solicit the advice of a professional appraiser that deals specifically with brass instruments, if not for sale then at least for your insurance.

Besides, I think we'd all love to hear your opinion of what it sounds like and feels to play it... please dish!
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Re: Walter Nirschl 6/4 BBb Tuba with 5th valve

Post by roweenie »

As I said earlier - to my knowledge, that horn was (at that time) custom built for Jim Fegley of Reading, Pa. He passed away over 6 years ago, so he can't help answer our questions about the horn.

He (Jim) must not have owned it for very long - in 1999, I went to his house with my Conn 36J (he was interested in buying it) and to my almost certain knowledge he didn't have that Nirschl yet. If the OP bought it in 2002, it was only a few years old when he (the OP) obtained it.

(Of course, it is possible that Jim already had that Nirschl when I brought over my Conn, but if he did, I don't see why he would be interested in my horn, or at least be interested in showing his one-of-a-kind horn to me.)

I would think that the best way to assess value is to contact Mr. Nirschl and ask what it would cost to build another one (if applicable). Short of that, maybe the OP can use the figure he paid to Mr. Fegley as a starting point, adjust it for inflation, and let free market forces determine value.
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roweenie
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Re: Walter Nirschl 6/4 BBb Tuba with 5th valve

Post by roweenie »

Lost, that certainly seems to be the case, doesn't it?

1. Purchased the horn in 2002

2. Asked about its value in 2005

3. Asked about its value in 2006

4. Asked about its value in 2012

5. Asked about its value in 2015

I don't think Rick D. is the only one who has taken this guy seriously. I have posted what I believe to be valuable clues as to the horn's value - I have had face-to-face dealings with the original owner, and I actually knew him for about 15 years prior to that.

So, on that note, let's clear this up right now, shall we? I say it's worth at least.....

Image
Last edited by roweenie on Wed Aug 19, 2015 10:48 am, edited 3 times in total.
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bort
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Re: Walter Nirschl 6/4 BBb Tuba with 5th valve

Post by bort »

Hrmm... asked the same question 4 times over 13 years. Oh, the horror!

How many people have been through the TubeNet revolving door since then?! I hope he asks again in 2018. :)
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Re: Walter Nirschl 6/4 BBb Tuba with 5th valve

Post by roweenie »

No problem, Lost!

I agree totally - Tubenet is a great place to show off our treasures. I think that's entirely appropriate.

It also can be a great place to get solid and useful information, provided the person asking really wants it.
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Peach
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Re: Walter Nirschl 6/4 BBb Tuba with 5th valve

Post by Peach »

Resurrecting an old post, but I noticed a conversation where Mr Nirschl said he's made 8 of these horns in Bb now. Seems like this might be the only one in the US(?) but there are others (well, 7 others...).
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FunkyTuba
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Re: Walter Nirschl 6/4 BBb Tuba with 5th valve

Post by FunkyTuba »

lost wrote: And it's not bad if someone wants to show off their horns and watch people drool, just do it with larger pics! :wink:
yes please more pics
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Re: Walter Nirschl 6/4 BBb Tuba with 5th valve

Post by RSorenson »

I am pretty sure i know who has this tuba. He asked me a couple of months ago if I knew a price for it and my advice was that it was too unique to sell. I just sent him a message to see if it was him.

The tuba itself is a fantastic horn. A fantastic sound and plays much like the old Yorkbrunners (only i think it is an easier playing horn). It is a beast of an instrument though. The change in the lead pipe made the horn easier to hold and play. The only other NIrschl 6/4 i played was set at a very awkward angle and this horn doesnt have that issue.

Again, I am not 100% sure this is the same person, but i find it highly unlikely for there to be 2 people in my general area with this same horn.
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Re: Walter Nirschl 6/4 BBb Tuba with 5th valve

Post by IROB »

Resurrecting this thread I just came across.

The 6/4 BBb Nirschl the Jim Fegely owned was the first BBb made. It was a custom request Jim made to Walter. Jim had me do work on a lot of instruments. He actually had me remove the 5th valve as he thought it made it stuffy.I advised against but he was the customer.

I did another horn for him that I would love to know where it went after he passed. It was a 6/4 Lyon and Healy that was York built with a factory 20 inch bell. It had been hanging in a restaurant with 4 holes drilled I. The bell to hold chains. I fixed that so you could not tell changed it from top to front installed a Nirschl piston set. Buffed it and replated. May be the closest sound to the CSO Yorks as the bell was identical. When I did that project the York the Nirschl was copied from was apart getting dents removed. Bell was100% identical. I called it York #3. Does anyone know what happened to that after Jim passed? I would love a photo of it. In the 90s when I did that kind of work we did not have cameras on our phones. Just would love a picture of that one.

I heard that James Jenkins bought one of Jim’s horns but don’t know if true or what one.

Anyone know?
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Re: Walter Nirschl 6/4 BBb Tuba with 5th valve

Post by Chitac »

Jumping in the topic. I would really appreciate if someone could share with us/me some photos of this horn, either Jim Fegely's or any of the 6/4 BBb Nirschl. I am super curious. Thanks!
Cassidy Stanhope
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Re: Walter Nirschl 6/4 BBb Tuba with 5th valve

Post by Cassidy Stanhope »

Jess Haney wrote: Tue Aug 18, 2015 9:43 pm Told you Tubenet this horn existed. I want it. And you doubted me.
Hey! Fancy seeing you around here... I'm just curious what it even looks like. Any links to pics?

Cas
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Re: Walter Nirschl 6/4 BBb Tuba with 5th valve

Post by TheodoreSmith »

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