What "happened" to Hirsbrunner?

[UTSAtuba]

Is there "something" going on? Someone posted in the For Sale section that not all is well at Hirsbrunner. I'm just a curious lad wanting some information. Thanks!

Joseph

[UTSAtuba]

Custom music sells those horns now.

http://www.custommusiccorp.com" target="_blank" target="_blank

I haven't heard anything about them not doing well.

I am aware that Custom Music specializes in Hirsbrunner model tubas, but another post had mentioned that "something" is going on (read: For Sale section). I'm not looking to go on a full-on investigation, I'm just curious to know (I believe I heard someone mention this "problem" a couple of months ago). Anyways, thanks!

Joseph

[Lee Stofer]

Several years ago, when a TubeNet poster was complaining about the non-availability of good tubas (or any sort of tuba) at their local music store, I countered by saying that if there were a sufficient number of people ready to plunk down $10,000.00US for a tuba, that every music store in the country would stock tubas. I further said that it was simple economics - consumers vote with their Dollars for what they want.

Well, I suspect that very, very few people are buying professional tubas, and that has to have a very real effect on these businesses. My guess is that sales of all tubas are way down, and that manufacturers are downsizing, either with fewer employees, fewer hours or both. When demand returns, more instruments will be built, shipped and sold.

For a direct answer, you could go to the Hirsbrunner website, and send Peter Hirsbrunner, Jr. your questions. He is a fine gentleman who speaks English well, and would most likely send you a reply.

[bisontuba]

HI-
Just to say I agree with Lee. I was recently told that the German tuba makers recently ALL got together to discuss their sales-which are all down-and to find ways to increase sales.

Regards-
mark
jonestuba@juno.com" target="_blank

[oedipoes]

HI-
Just to say I agree with Lee. I was recently told that the German tuba makers recently ALL got together to discuss their sales-which are all down-and to find ways to increase sales.

Regards-
mark
jonestuba@juno.com" target="_blank" target="_blank

Let's all buy a new tuba next year !! That should solve the crisis allright.
(I'll do that anyway, just trialing some models for the moment to make up my mind)

Wim

[Alex C]

Let's all buy a new tuba next year !! That should solve the crisis allright.
(I'll do that anyway, just trialing some models for the moment to make up my mind)

Wim

There ought to be some stimulus money for this! It's for the arts.

[Alex C]

The Hirsbrunner Company has recently been the victim of a highly sophistocated 'whispering campaign' to undermine the company's stock according to information obtained by us. The company recently filed papers with they Sumatian Stock Exchange stating that rumors of their inability to sell or import tubas into the United States, the major market for their products, were completely false.

Seems we were the victims of an elaborate hoax.

[oedipoes]

Let's all buy a new tuba next year !! Wim

Which "One"?

The most expensive one of course.
If you do something to solve the crisis, let's do it good !

(ok, so not me, I'll do with my limited budget)

Wim

[MileMarkerZero]

European manufacturers are facing a triple whammy right now. The economy in Europe is bad, so Europeans aren't buying as many horns. The economy in the US is worse, so those sales are way down too. Add into that the fact that the dollar is getting sand kicked in its face by the Euro, and you have a recipe for a significant contraction of the available inventory coming from the European makers.

[Alex C]

I am out on a limb and slightly red-faced at the same time. UTSAtuba seems to have been on to something so here's the news I heard. Keep in mind that it's not gossip but it's not supported by a second source.

I was told that Hirsbrunner has sold their equipment, mandrels, machinery, tools and name and is ceasing production. All has been bought by an un-named (by me) European company who already has some brass instrument capability and is ready to expand.

I post this looking for verification, not as a statement of fact. If someone has first-hand knowledge that this is incorrect, do not flame me... tell me and I'll gladly edit the bad information out. I've been waiting to see if someone else has heard this and it's just gotten the better of me.

[Bob Kolada]

Isn't the Onion fake news?

[Alex C]

Sorry guys, this may be the real deal. I've gotten one confirmation but nobody wants to name names.

And apologies to the original poster for not being more serious in my responses. He was on to this before anyone else. Good Holmesian reasoning, UTSAtuba.

[Wyvern]

Let's all buy a new tuba next year !! That should solve the crisis allright.

Well, I did my bit in 2009!

Mind you, barring disaster, I do not expect to be buying any more tubas for the rest of my days (quite happy with my new line-up!)

[TubaRay]

Mind you, barring disaster, I do not expect to be buying any more tubas for the rest of my days (quite happy with my new line-up!)

We'll see about that!!!

[WakinAZ]

... Alex, please post a link to the "whispering campaign" quote.

...

A lot of things about this particular tangent don't make sense. Some of them have already been pointed out. Here are some more: HB was almost assuredly not publicly traded - a family business, privately held. If it was publicly traded it would most likely be traded on the Swiss exchange, not that of Sumatra, etc. Moot points most likely, since my gut tells me the current economics of being a boutique Northern European low brass instrument maker may not look good to a market savvy, relatively well-off Swissie.

Eric "smelling a ruse within a ruse" L.

[The Big Ben]

I read here that Mr. Hirsbrunner, Sr. passed away:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=36780" target="_blank

Not knowing other than what I have read here at TubeNet, perhaps, since HB is a private company, there was some sort of business problem caused by Mr. H., Sr.'s passing.

[Timswisstuba]

The Sumiswald Hirsbrunners have not stopped making tubas. I was in Sumiswald 10 days ago and spoke to Peter Hirsbrunner Jr. in person and it seemed he had enough work lined up for two years. I know for a fact that a Hirsbrunner tuba can still be ordered.

Peter Hirsbrunner Jr. is very strong willed and I doubt that he would ever sell the company. I asked him if I could buy Hirsbrunner stock and he said the business is only owned by the family.

I would like to see this company in business for another 200 years

[Alex C]

The Sumiswald Hirsbrunners have not stopped making tubas. I was in Sumiswald 10 days ago and spoke to Peter Hirsbrunner Jr. in person and it seemed he had enough work lined up for two years. I know for a fact that a Hirsbrunner tuba can still be ordered.

Peter Hirsbrunner Jr. is very strong willed and I doubt that he would ever sell the company. I asked him if I could buy Hirsbrunner stock and he said the business is only owned by the family.

I would like to see this company in business for another 200 years

This is very good news and I know mosts tubists are glad to hear it. It contradicts a lot of the information I have heard but it is an eyewitness account which has to be considered more creditable than second or third hand information, regardless of the source. Unless the principals state something publically, Timswisstuba has settled the question for me and I hope for most of us. Thanks to him for that.

[oedipoes]

Let's all buy a new tuba next year !! That should solve the crisis allright.

Well, I did my bit in 2009!

Mind you, barring disaster, I do not expect to be buying any more tubas for the rest of my days (quite happy with my new line-up!)

No new tubas maybe...
Can you resist the seductive smile of a well-priced antique tuba?

I did my share too, so the economy has improved the cost of one new tuba!

Wim

[Wyvern]

No new tubas maybe...
Can you resist the seductive smile of an well-priced antique tuba?

Maybe I should have added in that word 'NEW' as a proviso