What "happened" to Hirsbrunner?

[Rick Denney]

As Dr. Sloan has hinted, I do not engage in speculative rumor-mongering, and neither do I condone it. Gossip is not only sinful, but it is also terribly damaging in ways the gossips may not even understand. So, everyone should stick to what they personally know to be true.

Here are some things I personally know to be true:

1. James was at Custom Music just a couple of days ago, and worked with Neal Campbell to look at tubas. While there, he only saw office workers in addition to Neal.

2. According to my wife, I have received a package today from "Custom Music International", at the same address as Custom Music Corp in Ferndale, that includes a typical marketing package. I got a T-shirt (72 sizes too small), a calendar with tuba pictures on it, some other bits, and a nice letter signed by a fellow named Kevel Gada that Custom Music Company had changed hands, would henceforth be called Custom Music International, and would set a new standard for customer service.

3. http://www.custommusiccorp.com/ is still there.

4. http://www.customtubas.com/, the web page mentioned by Mr. Gada in his letter, is also there, but not yet populated beyond the first page, which includes only their logo.

That is all I personally know to be true.

Rick "waiting for facts" Denney

[tbn.al]

It appears what was widely speculated in this forum to be the demise of an historic name in the tuba world may if fact be the demise of another. Change is inevitable as I was reminded Wednesday night at church, but that's another story and not a bit tastier.

[Rick Denney]

It appears what was widely speculated in this forum to be the demise of an historic name in the tuba world may if fact be the demise of another. Change is inevitable as I was reminded Wednesday night at church, but that's another story and not a bit tastier.

I saw nothing in what I wrote about demise.

Rick "who can think of many alternatives" Denney

[tbn.al]

Kevel Gada that Custom Music Company had changed hands, would henceforth be called Custom Music International,

No, you did not use that word. It does appear however, if Mr. Gada is to be believed, then someone has met his demise. I wouldn't even begin to speculate who that might be or recognize the name if you told me, I'm just a bass trombone player. It might, however, be a name recognized by real tuba players and apparently it's not Hirsbrunner.

[Alex C]

Does a one page Web site (with absolutely zero in content) constitute an "announcement"?

If you are referring to the HIrsbrunner website... The nav links on the home page did not work, however, when I click on the English translation picture, I was able to access the whole website.

Not speaking for any other person but I am not waiting for or demanding an announcement but I am interested, on a number of levels.

[tubaguy9]

Just thinking about the announcement of what's going on, when you don't say exactly what's going on, almost encourages speculation to a point.
IMO, it might be a better idea to say what's up closer to now than later...

[Kevin Hendrick]

... encourages speculation ...

Could call it that:

[UTSAtuba]

Does a one page Web site (with absolutely zero in content) constitute an "announcement"?

If you are referring to the HIrsbrunner website... The nav links on the home page did not work, however, when I click on the English translation picture, I was able to access the whole website.

Not speaking for any other person but I am not waiting for or demanding an announcement but I am interested, on a number of levels.

Hey Alex, I believe the mention of a one page website is about http://www.customtubas.com" target="_blank . Rick has the rest of the story a few posts up.

Joseph

[TexTuba]

Speculate away.

I think the reason the Cowboys haven't won a playoff game in 14 years is due to voodoo.

[TubaRay]

Speculate away.

I think the reason the Cowboys haven't won a playoff game in 14 years is due to voodoo.

I wonder if the Cowboys will successful make it 15 years!

[Mark]

I think the reason the Cowboys haven't won a playoff game in 14 years is due to voodoo.

The curse was put on them for the way they treated Tom Landry.

[TexTuba]

I think the reason the Cowboys haven't won a playoff game in 14 years is due to voodoo.

The curse was put on them for the way they treated Tom Landry.

I will gladly give you that. However, how do you explain THREE Super Bowls?!

[Lee Stofer]

I have communicated with Peter Hirsbrunner, Jr. this week via e-mail. The company seems to very much still be in business, and Herr Hirsbrunner is busy with plans for the future operations of the company. He thanked me for mine, and everyone else's concern with Hirsbrunner, and assured me that if and when any big changes in the company occur, he will personally announce it to the tuba community. I think he is fully aware how prominent position his company has had in the professional tuba world during the last 3+ decades.

[pgym]

The new Custom Music website is up and running. No sign of Hirsbrunner anywhere so that relationship seems officially over.

Custom has Adams tubas and euphs at their stand at TUSABTEC. No mention of Adams on the new Custom Music website either.

I supposed that means that THAT relationship doesn't exist?

[bort]

Adams? The Dutch company? What are their horns like?

[jonesbrass]

I didn't even know Adams made tubas. I know about the euph, but don't think I've ever seen their tubas.

[oedipoes]

I have played their euphoniums on the Frankfurt Messe 2008.
They are really very good horns, but very expensive. (5895 EUR brass bell- 6600 EUR sterling silver bell)

At that time there were no tubas produced yet, and their website shows none too.

Wim

[Mark]

Adams? The Dutch company? What are their horns like?

I'm going to take a wild guess and say that they are a lot like Hirsbrunners.

[TexTuba]

The new Custom Music website is up and running. No sign of Hirsbrunner anywhere so that relationship seems officially over.

Custom has Adams tubas and euphs at their stand at TUSABTEC. No mention of Adams on the new Custom Music website either.

I supposed that means that THAT relationship doesn't exist?

Did they have Hirsbrunner tubas and euphs at their stand?

[Ferguson]

Adams? The Dutch company? What are their horns like?

I'm going to take a wild guess and say that they are a lot like Hirsbrunners.

Someone's getting closer to the true story.

And, Custom Music no longer has the exclusive for Hirsbrunner in the US. I have inquired about stocking Hirsbrunner tubas here in SoCal, but in these times and with the currency conversion as it is, the pricing was beyond even my fortitude. We are procuring a custom model for a good client though.

Steve Ferguson