When did Hirsbrunner....?

[Chen]

Hi everyone,
Does anyone know when Hirsbrunner stopped making all their tubas by hand?

I know the HB-6 is made by hand, and some earlier York models are also made by hand. Other than these, when I ordered my Hirsbrunner CC from Peter Hirsbrunner, he sent me his catalog which had the option of having a tuba made by hand.

So I know that some Hirsbrunner tubas were still made by hand after a certain period, but (edit) I don't believe Hirsbrunner tubas today are "handmade," rather machine-made parts put together by hand. Of course, by hand-made I assume the parts are also made by hand.

So, does anyone know? The reason why I'm asking is that lately there have been some older Hirsbrunner rotary CC tubas up for sale that I am thinking about buying.

thanks,
Chen

[Rick Denney]

So, does anyone know? The reason why I'm asking is that lately there have been some older Hirsbrunner rotary CC tubas up for sale that I am thinking about buying.

I think it was the mid- or late-80's when the Yorkbrunner no longer came with hand-hammered bows and bell.

But I don't know what difference it makes. Each instrument ought to be judged on its own merits, it seems to me. I have never been a fan of the older German-style Hirsbrunner rotary tubas, and the sound I've always heard from them is rather tubby.

Rick "who thinks design is more important" Denney