J 870 or?

[Bill Troiano]

As much as I love my Gnagey CC, I am currently feeling that I want something a bit larger, but still in the 4/4 category as an all around tuba. I still use my Yammy 621 CC for a lot of stuff, and I'm not in a postition to just go out and buy another tuba, so the Gnagey tuba, which is my main all around tuba, would have to go. I'm still not sure that I can do this, as it is a very fine tuba.

I did like the new Nirschl/Gemstone tuba in the limited amount of time I spent on it. Did anybody in the northeast buy one of these? Aside from at conferences, they are not readily availble to play.

[Mojo workin']

Good luck trying to buy one, Bill. I've sent Gemstone e-mail and voice messages to no avail, expressing my interest in buying one of these horns. They don't seem to want to sell tubas. This has been my experience.

[Tubadork]

I would stay with the Gnagey. I don't think you are going to do any better than that for that size of tuba.
Bill

[UTSAtuba]

Buckeye Brass has one in CC for $5850 with case. I emailed Rob Phillips just two days ago.

[Bill Troiano]

Thanks, guys! That's just the point, Bill. I am thinking about a larger tuba, but still basically a 4/4 tuba. Possibly, I'm thinking about more breath of sound, but still wanting to mantain the clarity of sound that I presently get, if that's possible. Perhaps, that means a larger bore. I've never gotten into the tech aspect like many others here. I know you can drive yourself nuts over this stuff. And, I know the answer is playing a bunch of horns. I might have to wait until next year's DC conference to do that. I just know that I was impressed with the Nirschl/Gemstone tuba, but I didn't like the leadpipe angle. That has been changed in the J870 model, but I haven't played it and I wouldn't buy one without playing it. I've also always been impressed with the 606P and last year in DC, I liked the 20P also ($$$$$). 1291's are nice too. I'm rambling! I'm playing the 621CC all weekend anyway for trad. jazz gigs.

I know Buckeye Brass has one in stock too, USAtuba. I emailed them as Dick Barth of Gemstone said they would sell the tuba. I don't know which leadpipe angle that one has. I don't feel like driving to the middle of Ohio to try it either. All in good time, I guess!!

[djwesp]

Assuming (as they said they would) they've changed the tuba so-as the mouthpiece will meet up with a human's face

I'm glad someone had the bones to point blank say this. The greatest horn is useless if you can't hold it, play it, and put it up to your face.

[Mojo workin']

I played that Weril-made Nirschl-looking CC in Arlington.

Assuming (as they said they would) they've changed the tuba so-as the mouthpiece will meet up with a human's face I would say that

This Weril-made Nirschl-style CC tuba is to a German-made B/M Symphonic/Meister Walter Nirschl/Besson 995

...as an...

American Heritage CC is to a German-made Miraphone 186 CC.

Do you say this as a criticism of the original leadpipe angle, or does it have other non-ergonomic problems....with intonation, sound, response?

[UTSAtuba]

Looks like it's changed:

[MikeMason]

I haven't had one second of cc tuba lust/envy since I got my Thor 3 yrs ago.jus sayin...

[bisontuba]

Hi-
The CC W. Nirschl J-880 has the angled leadpipe like the 6/4 Meister Nirschl--the J-870 has the new designed leadpipe.
For more info go to "BarthsBrassBlog"
Regards-
mark

[Dave Seip]

I tried an 870 at ITF last week and liked it quite a bit, it was nice and solid through all octaves. Only downside was the lack of a water key on the main tuning slide (and thus it took me a couple minutes to find said slide) but I don't know if that horn was just a prototype or what. The horn I played (bright silver finish) lists for a little over $8k, so you can probably find it for around 6 or so at most dealers.

[tofu]

I thought all the buzz was that these were going to be 4 large out the door. Now list is 8 large with the out the door price supposedly around $6k - that's a 50% bump from $4k which is pretty large. Their currency exchange rate and labor costs couldn't have jumped that much. If I'm going to spend $6k I'd rather do a little patient saving and shopping around and buy a nice used Thor for maybe $1500 more.

[Bill Troiano]

Dick did say that the price would go up from $5XXX. after ITEC. Maybe, that was based on demand. However, if Buckeye Brass has the only available one in stock, I'm not sure about the demand. Supposedly, there is a list of people waiting for these tubas.

[T. J. Ricer]

FWIW, I believe that the 4-valve BBb was supposed to be "out the door" for about 4K and this one was always going to be above 5K, but I could be wrong. . . solid horns, either way.

--T. J.