NOT a cimbasso

[jeopardymaster]

Just spotted on Ebay. A Czech bass valve trombone in F.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Ant-Janda-4-rotary- ... dZViewItem

Is that thing for real? Anyone have any experience with a beast like that?

[Chuck Jackson]

I have played, quite extensively, a similar Mirafone Model. I have found them to be very easy to play with a shallow mouthpiece. The pitch was suprisingly good and it wasn't too awkward to hold. It is not a Cimbasso, but the one I played for Bocelli and Pavarotti was the closest thing I could get my hands on on VERY short notice. The instrument I used was the Property of the Chicago Lyric and came with a shaved down shank Mirafone F/Eb mp that was perfect. They can be deadly if you push it, I mean really a chain-saw. For the best effect of one of these horns, check out the VPO/Previn recording of Alpine Symphony. In the middle where everything is going nuts, the Contrabass Bone player literally takes out the brass section. I don't know of any practical value of owning one of these, but the bragging rights could be extreme.

Chuck

[Matt Ransom]

Ya know, I'm pretty darn sure I never called my Janda F bass a cimbasso.
As a matter of fact, I said it may SUBSTITUTE for a cimbasso.
On occasion my old Alex F tuba also SUBSTITUTES for a cimbasso.

And yes, it plays quite well.

Matt

[Chuck Jackson]

Actually Matt, the Janda and the Mirafone are, technically, almost cimbassi, same bore and make up, just not bent. As I said, the Mirafone I spent a good deal of time with was really good. Bocelli's tour back in 2004 opened with Benvenuto Cellini and the Mirafone played so well I left my F tuba at home and did it on it. A veritable walk in the park as long as you were secure enough in your chops to play the high G with 4th valve. That was interesting. I hope you find a good home for yours, they certainly are nice instruments.

BTW, Bob, I didn't exactly mean my comment about the Strauss as a compliment, more of a "heat of the moment blow your brains out on a piece that is certainly not the paragon of Strauss' abilities" observation. The guy playing it must have been laying for it and wanted to leave something for posterities sake, kinda like the LAPO Planets. Not even close to being the consummate musical statement of a great work, but about as much as you can have with your clothes on to listen to, from a low brass players standpoint.

Chuck

[Matt Ransom]

Chuck -
Thanks for the great post. Quite informative.
I took exception to the original posters subject line of:
NOT a cimbasso. I was very careful in my ebay listing to make sure I clearly called it an F bass trombone.

Your Miraphone description sounds a lot like the playing characteristics of my Janda. It is actually amazing how light that big bell is.

[jeopardymaster]

Matt, I assure you I meant no offense either in my title on in my message. There are a number of us in this community who are contemplating the merits of cimbassi versus other options in that rarified niche between bass trombone and tuba, and I intended to get their attention. Now I'm having second thoughts, both for the misunderstanding AND for possibly fomenting a bidding war. Hope you don't mind!