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SOLD: Handmade Nirschl 4/4 CC

Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2016 10:25 am
by Michael Bush
This handmade Meister Walter Nirschl 4/4 CC is an amazing instrument. My playing opportunities are what they are, and it feels a little extreme to use this extraordinary tuba to do what I do. I want to step back down the ladder a rung or two.

The quality of the tuba needs no explanation. “Responsive” is the best one-word description for this tuba I can think of. It is one of the two most responsive tubas I’ve played. It will really put out sound, but on the other hand it is also the easiest tuba to play softly I’ve experienced. The sound is warm and clear.

I bought it recently: here is the post I responded to. (New pictures showing the results of bloke's work on it on April 22 are here. Nearly all the dents are gone, and the one on the inner bow is much better.)

Here is the well-informed description of this tuba from that post :
“Mid 1990s make, silver in great condition. Singing mid to upper register and fat low register with the older, larger 5th valve, which is better in my opinion. Intonation very good, especially in the low register, but it can be mouthpiece sensitive and "e" in the staff can be played open. Customized 5th valve in RH (see pics below) and tubes added to back of valve caps for moisture (not added by me, see pics). This is an excellent example of these rare instruments. It has the good set of bigger valves, not as large as the MW big valves, NOT the Brazilian made valves. The silver plating is bright and in excellent shape, there is one small dent in an inner branch (also pictured) and some minor spots here and there but overall it's in great shape. A previous owner customized this and it plays wonderfully.“
I cleaned it up a bit and removed the brass tubes from the bottom valve caps. I kept them and they are not damaged, so I will put them in the case so you can reattach them if you want. I also had a bit of work done on the fifth valve slide to improve its function.

I’ll drive a fair distance (say, 3 hours or so) to meet if you want to buy it. I live near Interstate 65 about halfway between Nashville and Birmingham and would be glad for you to come by and try it.

$11,000 + shipping, with an MTS 1207 case in which it fits without any shifting around.

If anyone wants to talk about a trade I’d gladly discuss other 4/4-ish 4P1R CC tubas. Though it is a long shot, one of the production versions of this same tuba would be an especially welcome trade. Certain rotary tubas like a 4/4 Rudolf Meinl CC or perhaps a 188 could be of interest as well.

EDIT: I should make it more clear that when I speak of a trade, in all likelihood this means my tuba for your tuba+some cash. There aren't many (any?) tubas out there that the current market would value as an even trade for this tuba which would at the same time fulfill my first-paragraph-above goal.

Re: FS: Handmade Nirschl 4/4 CC

Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2016 11:22 am
by bort
These are stunning tubas, and they play and sound GREAT.

Re: FS: Handmade Nirschl 4/4 CC

Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2016 11:12 pm
by lowtones425
PM sent.

:tuba: :tuba: :tuba:

Re: FS: Handmade Nirschl 4/4 CC

Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2016 6:13 pm
by Michael Bush
It may go without saying that the piston valves on this tuba are vented. Either it was done when the valves were made, or by a very skillful shop.

Re: FS: Handmade Nirschl 4/4 CC

Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2016 11:11 pm
by DouglasJB
Got a chance to play this horn this morning. WOW... horn plays wonderfully and is in immaculate shape still.

Re: FS: Handmade Nirschl 4/4 CC

Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2016 8:44 am
by Michael Bush
DouglasJB wrote:Got a chance to play this horn this morning. WOW... horn plays wonderfully and is in immaculate shape still.
Thanks, Douglas. It was a pleasure to meet you in real life...

Re: FS: Handmade Nirschl 4/4 CC

Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2016 12:56 pm
by MartyNeilan
Michael Bush wrote:The quality of the tuba needs no explanation. “Responsive” is the best one-word description for this tuba I can think of. It is one of the two most responsive tubas I’ve played.
What was the other one? :wink:

Re: FS: Handmade Nirschl 4/4 CC

Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2016 1:18 pm
by Michael Bush
MartyNeilan wrote:
Michael Bush wrote:The quality of the tuba needs no explanation. “Responsive” is the best one-word description for this tuba I can think of. It is one of the two most responsive tubas I’ve played.
What was the other one? :wink:
One particular example of an HB2P that isn't for sale and isn't likely to be in the foreseeable future.

Re: FS: Handmade Nirschl 4/4 CC

Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2016 1:42 pm
by MartyNeilan
I was hoping you were going to say mine. :roll:
I have made some serious improvements since you last tried it, but no need to hijack your thread.
I would definitely buy this horn if I had the dough - these bugles have a great sound that will support just about anything despite being "only" a 4/4.

Re: FS: Handmade Nirschl 4/4 CC

Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2016 2:58 pm
by Michael Bush
MartyNeilan wrote:I was hoping you were going to say mine. :roll:
I have made some serious improvements since you last tried it, but no need to hijack your thread.
I would definitely buy this horn if I had the dough - these bugles have a great sound that will support just about anything despite being "only" a 4/4.
Oh, I had forgotten. Yours does respond immediately. It's amazingly light and quick.

Re: FS: Handmade Nirschl 4/4 CC

Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2016 6:53 pm
by Michael Bush
New pictures showing the results of bloke's work on it this morning are here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/9fj3wd3blwei ... bSoia?dl=0

Re: FS: Handmade Nirschl 4/4 CC

Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2016 7:02 pm
by roweenie
I'm curious; what purpose does (did) those tubes on the bottom valve caps serve?

Re: FS: Handmade Nirschl 4/4 CC

Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2016 8:55 pm
by DouglasJB
That was the first thing I noticed trying the horn, the 5th valve is very quick, almost no movement required.

Re: FS: Handmade Nirschl 4/4 CC

Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2016 9:46 pm
by CC
Re: the 5th valve customization

What was relayed to me when I owned this horn: Eric Swanson, a Dallas area repair and customization guru, constructed it. I've never been happy with the factory Nirschl 5th valve design on these horns. The 6/4 version differs significantly and is more comfortable I think. This customization was a nice feature on this horn. Joe is right, it has a great big sound. I'm still not sure why Michael feels like he doesn't deserve this horn, he really seems to like it. Here's another vote for him to keep it!

Chris Combest

SOLD: FS: Handmade Nirschl 4/4 CC

Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2016 10:05 pm
by Michael Bush
It is not actually true that I don't think I "deserve" it. I get why what I say about it might be interpreted that way by others, but that isn't it. I just don't need this first tier professional tuba to play in the settings where I play. It's overkill and seems a little ridiculous.

EDIT: until today I had never had a chance to stand 15 or 20 feet away and listen to someone else play this instrument. I got to do that while three fine musicians tried it. It really sounds amazing. One of them decided to buy it.