"Stuffy" Low Register on Kalison DS

[UTSAtuba]

Alright, so here's my issue. I recently acquired a Kalison DS CC, and really enjoy the sound (and, surprisingly, intonation) of the horn, but the low register feels very...um...stuffy(?). Anything past low G, and it feels like I need way, WAY more air to get the notes to speak loudly (more work than I've done...ever).

So basically, the bottom register feels very constricted. Has anyone else had this problem? Maybe a solution?

Thanks!

Joseph

[Blake Dowling]

Yes I used to have the same issue as you are now. For me it was a matter of breathing. I was forcing too much air through the horn. The best thing I can sugguest it to spend a lot of time down there. Soon you'll "figure" out how the horn wants to be played in that range. I also find that a medium-large mouthpiece works well too. Something around a PT-48, or for a little more clarity a Laskey 30H.

[tubashaman2]

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[UTSAtuba]

I have tried using a G&W Baer MMVI, LM-7, and Helleberg. All seem to give me that low register stuffiness I'm having trouble with. BTW, my old horn was a 70s Miraphone 186...

Joseph

[Todd S. Malicoate]

You have a great opportunity...if you can develop a great low range on this "stuffy" horn, just think how great you will sound on a more free-blowing instrument!

Now start working those corner muscles! Stretch 'em down to your neck, matie! Arrrrrrgh!

[pattonsj]

I got my Kalison DS about 6 months ago and the low register is one of the 1st things that I noticed. I was playing a PT-3 for the last 13 yrs. My horn plays the best with a PT-88. Very resonant and responsive. Smaller mouthpieces make the whole feel of the horn seem smaller. The DS seems to need less air in the low register in order to project when compared to other horns. If you overblow in the low register, it does give it a "stuffy" feel. Anyway, I love the tuba but the tuba I will always want is a Willson 3050S. Oh well, one can dream.

[Nick Pierce]

No, I haven't, also coming from a PT-3. If it matters, I use a PT-50.

[pattonsj]

No, I haven't, also coming from a PT-3. If it matters, I use a PT-50.

So, which horn do you like better so far?

[Nick Pierce]

No, I haven't, also coming from a PT-3. If it matters, I use a PT-50.

So, which horn do you like better so far?

The Kalison, without question.

That being said, the PT-3 I had technically wasn't a PT-3, as its production apparently pre-dates the formation of Perantucci. It was likely either a prototype for the PT-3, or some other Pre-PT B&S upon which the PT-3 was eventually based.

In spite of its lack of such an interesting history though, the Kalison does play better.

[UTSAtuba]

Hey guys, thanks for all the suggestions. It looks like I need to go mouthpiece shopping (again) . I'll definitely give some low register exercises a try. Any other suggestions will still be appreciated.

Thanks!

Joseph

[J.c. Sherman]

I'll stand out and say it's both of you...

The Kalison is unique, especially in it's general bore profile. Nothing's even close. So it has a different response. The main idea with the DS is slow air. Blow hard, it'll give you the middle finger. But when you're used to it, it's an awfully easy horn to play down there. It's my favorite "Ride" and "Fountains" horn. The DS is a true Acrobat, and can make a heck of a lot of sound if you mind you Ps and Qs Just remember - it's a long leadpipe horn -it won't play like a MW 2155.

I have used a Bach 12 for some time, and now am using an older DEG marching mouthpiece (I'd kill for a brass copy). The Yamaha Self works great, but my wife likes the sound of the other two better. Try a Helleburg too. They're okay and may give a different perspective, but they seam to attack a little funny for me.

Also - I have mine tuned funny. 235 for Db/Gb, 1(pushed)24 for low F... few others. They don't seem to like traditional tuning exactly...

My $.04

J.c.S.

[djwesp]

It wouldn't hurt to get the horn checked out.

A nameless poster here on the tubenet has one of these horns. He took it and got it looked at because of "low range issues" and there was knurling and a chunk of solder where the leadpipe meets the valve section. Once removed, the horn was AWESOME downstairs.

Kali horns are great looking... but i'm not entirely sold on that great looking meaning "great built". Much like old besson and the new thors, the horns have some shoddy imperfections that shockingly get out of the factory.


wes "or not, i just read bloke's post, I'd take his word as gold 99% of the time if he has played it" pendergrass

[NDSPTuba]

I don't play a DS, I have the 2000 but I use a G&W Taku mouthpiece, which isn't big by any stretch of the imagination. Like has be stated earlier, a light touch is needed to make the low range sing. Think of creating a super efficient buzz to produce the sound. The more efficient the buzz the more resonant and "present" the sound will be.