Will there be a M-W 4450?

[Matt G]

Seeing as how Meinl-Weston has revamped the old 21** line and fixed some issues, will there be a 4450 or some sort of "name" tuba in that size range?

It seems like:

2165->2265->6450 (There look to be various changes, but the "idea" is still there)

2155->2000->5450 (Same deal)

Also, would there be a "Handmade" version which has been available like the others?

[Wyvern]

4450??? What model are you referring to replace?

[Wyvern]

RC
(who still wishes there were a five valve CC version of the Fafner...)

That would indeed be interesting - as would a rotary version of the Thor! But I don't think we will get either unless fashions change.

[oedipoes]

RC
(who still wishes there were a five valve CC version of the Fafner...)

Then it wouldn't be a Fafner anymore, obviously.


Wim

[Wyvern]

Then it wouldn't be a Fafner anymore, obviously.

They would have to call it 'Fasolt' - Fafner's brother

[Matt G]

Clarification:

2145 (the "Sam Pilafian" model CC) should be a 4450 if "reinvented"?

The 2145 probably had the least intonation issues of the old 21*5 line, and was a versatile tuba. It had a nice sound that was similar to a smallish 4/4 tuba.

Reason I ask is because for most tuba players, this would be a far better all-around horn for academic usage than the 5450, IMO. Seeing as how Meinl-Weston has improved the 5/4 and 6/4 horns, it would seem reasonable that they might want to do the same with the 4/4 tuba. Additionally the 2145 was the first of the line, IIRC, of the piston-valved MW tubas of current design.

[Wyvern]

Against Meinl-Weston introducing a new 4450 4/4 CC is that as far as I can see both the 5/4 and 6/4 are the result of a proposal and collaboration with a top professional, Jens Björn-Larsen for the 5450 and Alan Baer for the 6450. What leading pro is actively looking for a new model 4/4 for their use and will work with Meinl-Weston in its development?

[cambrook]

When I briefly played a Thor I immediately wondered how good it would be if there was a handmade version. I know the price would be higher, and maybe that doesn't make business sense (particularly at the moment), but that would be an amazing instrument.

[Tom]

I would be very interested in checking out a 2145 redesigned ala the 5450 or 6450 (or even the 2000 or 2265). David Fedderly at Baltimore Brass has been selling a modified version of this tuba for the last couple of years (???). Perhaps he could serve as the design consultant for the project.

Personally, I'd love to see some fresh/new rotary CC options out of Meinl Weston. A CC Fafner would be most interesting. Their current CC offerings (32 and 37) haven't ever done it for me.

[Wyvern]

When I briefly played a Thor I immediately wondered how good it would be if there was a handmade version. I know the price would be higher, and maybe that doesn't make business sense (particularly at the moment), but that would be an amazing instrument.

From experience with my hand-made gold brass 2040/5, I believe Meinl-Weston would produce a hand-made Thor to special order. But it would cost double the production model and you would have to wait 6-12 months for delivery.

[oedipoes]

RC
(who still wishes there were a five valve CC version of the Fafner...)

Then it wouldn't be a Fafner anymore, obviously.


Wim

Smaug, then…

Wade "seeing this from the worm angle" Rackley

You may have misunderstood my statement.
The whole point about the Fafner is that it is a large, pro level, 4 rotary valve BBb tuba.
There are other horns on the market for people who like large CC 5-valvers.

Wim

[oedipoes]

wow, this is scary...
It's just not possible that you all agree with me !

For the BBb lovers, another picture:

[Steve Marcus]

Seeing as how Meinl-Weston has revamped the old 21** line and fixed some issues...It seems like: 2165->2265->6450 (There look to be various changes, but the "idea" is still there)

M-W still shows all three models on their website. Do they still build new 2165s, or is that merely for the sake of dealers who have back stock of unsold 2165s?

[tubafatness]

2155->2000->5450 (Same deal)

I'm going to go out on a limb here and disagree with the notion that the Thor is the "advanced" or newer version of the 2000. They're definitely different horns, for different purposes. And, in my opinion, the 2000 is far and away the better horn, (please don't kill me Thor-lovers!)

Aaron

[Wyvern]

M-W still shows all three models on their website. Do they still build new 2165s, or is that merely for the sake of dealers who have back stock of unsold 2165s?

All Meinl-Weston tubas are only built in response to a dealers order, but I believe they will make any models shown on the website if ordered. I know they recently made some of the 197 Hilgers Kaiser models, although the Fafner has largely replaced.

[Wyvern]

2155->2000->5450 (Same deal)

I'm going to go out on a limb here and disagree with the notion that the Thor is the "advanced" or newer version of the 2000. They're definitely different horns, for different purposes.

I would tend to agree with you having tried both. Also the 2165/2265 are noticeably larger than the 6450 Baer, so it can be argued that is not a replacement either.

Which models are better, all depends on personal taste!