Anyone play that new M&M 1291 CC clone yet...

[humphrey]

Might be worth checking out this thread & Tuba Tinker's website........

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=38174

Enjoy

Russ

[UTSAtuba]

I recently purchased the M&M CC tuba and have been extremely pleased. I have used it for several concerts, small groups (quintet, trio, and sextet) a medium sized orchestra, and full band. The horn plays very well in tune the tone is rich and the instrument blows very freely. I have played in the Navy band, Army band and summer series as principle with Boise Philharmonic. I have also taught at the college level and played in several brass groups. I just started to play again after an 18 year hiatus. I was skeptical of the horn because of price and the attitude towards Chinese horns in general. But I could not find a horn that I was looking for at a price I could afford so I thought I would give it a chance. I'm glad I did. I've let many of my friends try the horn and they have been equally impressed. I have played and owned several tubas over the years and this plays as well as any of the German and US horns that I have owned. I have about 100 hours on the horn so it will be interesting to see how it holds up but so far no problems. Also when I purchased my horn I got great service from M&M the horn arrived in perfect shape double boxed and on time. Oh, by the way, not one person has come and questioned the brand of tuba that I play but they have come up and told me they liked the rich tone.

Is that Miraphone 186 clone? Haven't seen the new one on their site?

Joseph

[Toad Away]

I have played in the Navy band, Army band and...

-- --

[Cameron Gates]

Amazing comments from someone who is obviously very brilliant. I played in the Navy Band for 13 years and the transfered services to the Army and played in the Army band for 4 years. Yes I am a first time poster but with the great reception maybe I should allow the brilliant minds or maybe shallow minds use this for whimsical ranting.

Jeanpaul, thanks for your input on the subject. You have to understand that many of us are skittish about the Chinese stuff and 1st time posters that post positive reviews only to be never heard from again make us more unsure about the characteristics of these instrument and the authenticity of the comments. I suppose that since you have responded to a reply that you are not a hit and run poster and are probably an actual owner of one of these instruments. Please write more about your experiences with the horn. There are many on this board who are curious about the products.

Also, please do not take Toad's comments the wrong way. He is one of the funniest and nicest guys around. He is also a proud military vet with several kills notched on his belt.

[Toad Away]

Thanks Cameron, you old fart.

^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^

Thanks for your service in Navy fleet bands and
an Army Reserve band. All fine organizations.
(It wouldn't hurt to be a little more accurate when discussing your military service as there is great respect here for all the bands.)

[UTSAtuba]

The M&M weighs between 21 and 22 pounds, not to heavy but certainly not a thin fly weight. I play between 2 and 3 hours a day on the horn and have noticed that the finish on the valve action is starting to tarnish somewhat. Maybe that's why the horn included a pair of white gloves. As I stated before the tone has a nice rich quality and can be played in small ensemble work as well as larger groups without getting lost. I play on a Helleberg 120s instead of the generic mouthpiece that was sent with the horn. My friends who have tried the horn play a variety of instruments, King, St. Pete, Conn, Bessen and a Miraphone. They were impressed with the sound of the horn and the ease of the upper register. Ergonomically speaking everything is in the right place. For me, it fits well. I was very skeptical about buying a chinese horn as well but for the money it works and has gotten me through 12 performances already with no surprises. When people ask about the M&M stencil I just let them know that the horn was made by hershey .

Sorry to be a pain in the rear, but is this the 'new' 1291 CC copy, or 186 CC copy? I'm just curious, since I haven't seen anything on the 1291 CC copy yet.

Joseph "can be a pain"

[sloan]

aside:

It is to be assumed that "tuba players" (whether newcomers or addicts) are thick-skinned (a callous grown thick and strong in junior high school) and masters of self-deprecation.

There you go again - assuming that everyone else is just like you.

[bisontuba]

HI-
I believe(?) the original poster of this thread was mistaken and raved about his 186 clone--the piston CC 1291/2 clone is coming to the states shortly....
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