Bohm & Meinl (Opinions?)

[Himes]

Greetings all,

I am looking to buy a new horn and, among other options, is a Bohm & Meinl CC (posted at viewtopic.php?f=4&t=24100&p=245047&hili ... nl#p245047" target="_blank). I don't know anything about Bohm & Meinl except that Nirschl had a hand in them in the late seventies/early eighties. Anyone experienced them?

Thanks for the insight!

Himes

[Davidus1]

Hi,

I've played a Bohm & Meinl BBb previously and it was a good horn. I think there are a lot of quality BBbs out there and would make the selection considering price as well. While I liked the Bohm I wouldn't rule out a VMI 3301/2 or other quality BBb (such as a Mirafone 1291 etc.) Good luck in your search. If you end up with the Bohm & Meinl I think you'll be pleased. Dave

[windshieldbug]

If the open bugle is anything like my B&M-made slant-rotor Marzan CC, I'm sure it's a great horn. I used mine for the bulk of playing (orchestral, quintet, solo, etc.). Conductors loved the way it sounded with a big 'bone section, and it is very nimble by itself.

If you use it, the upward tuning slide makes every kind of tuning (pure, equal-tempered, etc.) a breeze- all you have to do is have good enough ears, and the embouchure is left to concentrate on sound.

Mike

[Art Hovey]

I had the BBb version for many years. A wonderful tuba, except for two things:
There is no reinforcing plate on the bottom bow. That saves a little weight, but makes it especially susceptible to dents. My other complaint is the poor choice of alloy in the leadpipe. It only took about 15 years to develop a pinhole from interior corrosion. The tuba did come with two interchangeable leadpipes, so I was able to put the other one on and played it several more years. The gentleman who bought it from me encountered the same problem and eventually had to have a new pipe made. Leadpipes should be made of pure copper.

[Rick Denney]

The Boehm and Meinl Symphonic is still made in the same factory. Nirschl bought that factory in the early 90's, but they still have and use the same tooling, though the layout of the valves and valve branches is more Yorkish than the old B&M.

Not all of them share a reputation for superior intonation, but my B&M-made York Master is reasonable and manageable.

The post Marzan B&M tubas from before Nirschl's ownership (and maybe for a while afterwards) all had the upright main tuning slide that was reachable by the left hand.

I prefer my YM to other similarly sized front-action piston BBb tubas, including the (smaller) 3301/PT-2P and the (slightly larger) 1291. With those peers, it would have to be one of the great Bb tubas of the large 4/4 or small 5/4 category, and it fits nicely between the King 2341 (which is quite a bit smaller) and the 6/4 tubas.

I have a section-mate with a newish B&M that probably dates no older than the late 80's. It's different in many ways from my YM, which is 20+ years older, and may even be a bit better.

Rick "thinking these have about the best valves available on any tuba" Denney

[tubari]

I have had my CC for 12 years... It got me through college at Tennessee Tech quite nicely! I have some intonation issues around Bb and A (second line and first space), but nothing that pulling the first slide can't remedy. Best $1000 I ever spent. Great horn!

[iiipopes]

Leadpipes should be made of pure copper.

Or at least gold to rose brass, so that they don't dent as easily, or if you're so inclined, nickel silver.