What were your favorite new horns - the Army Tuba Conference

[Rick Denney]

The Dillon 6/4 was sold within 12 seconds of the opening of the exhibits. But before the buyer's credit card went through, several of us elbowed him out of the way and played it. It was excellent. Not as big as the Holton--more Gronitz PCK in size. $12,000.

The Dillon travel tuba is a baritone-sized F tuba that accepts a regular F-tuba mouthpiece. It has screw-bell of about 8 inches, and it will fit in a case the size of a briefcase. I found it to play better than the M-W travel tuba, because I was not thinking "F tuba" when I held it, but rather "baritone". It was not at all unplayable with that mindset. $1600 (yes, nearly five G's less than the M-W). It's almost down in the price range where one might buy it "just because", and use it for where it is well suited.

I was enamored with the M&M 6-valve F tuba--it worked in all registers and was easy to play. And it was certainly spectacularly priced. The second day, though, I played the Miraphone Petruschka, which I really like, and then went back to the M&M. At that time, some issues emerged. It is still not as agile and accurate as the Miraphone, and the F octave was rather more than an octave. If one could manage that, and if one wanted a new F tuba for under three grand, then it does a lot of things well that a lot of F tubas struggle to do. The fifth valve is below the sixth--opposite of my B&S--and similar to the six-valve 4450 (though those valves on the 4450 are below the other four and the linkages could be reversed).

The M-W 2250 is a good, solid piston F tuba, but I really liked the 4450 rotary F, too. If I was in the market for an expensive piston F tuba, I would still probably prefer the Petruschka, but I could live a happy life with either.

There was a mid-60's Miraphone 186, somewhat battered but with tight valves, that just made me happy. If only I had money to spend, and even a hint of a reason...

And then there was the tuba that would make a Holton owner have size envy: The M-W 196 Fasolt. It's a Bb Kaisertuba with a capital "K". Dark and commanding and more fun than a Fafner. It was just awesome. It does not require as many native bearers as a Rudy 6/4, either. I bet a Blokepiece Solo F-tuba mouthpiece would really do good things (I tried it with a BP Symphony, and it certainly did good things). But when I went back to the Holton, I was home again.

The cimbasso in question sounded rather excellent when played by those who knew how to play a cimbasso. It was nice to hear such a beast played well.

I did not try a whole lot of instruments this year, but of the few I tried, those are my impressions.

Rick "for whom the big fun of this year's conference was in renewing friendships" Denney

[Bill Troiano]

Rick says everything so well, I won't repeat things I agree with that he wrote. Ditto the 6/4 Dillon tuba. Ditto, ditto, the M&M F tuba. I almost bought it. Ditto what Rick said about the new MW 2250 F tuba, except where Rick's first choice in large piston F's was the Petroushka, that I also like very much, I prefered the 2250.

I also liked the Miraphone 1293. I never played a 1292, but I liked the 1293 better than the 1291's that I've played. The 1293 had a broader tone (bigger bell), excellent pitch and it slotted extremely well. If I was in the market for a new CC, and if I had the $$$$$$, I would strongly consider this tuba.

I was hoping I wouldn't like the new Kanstul CC as much as my Gnagey, and I was right. Although very similar, I liked my Gnagey tuba better. Still, the Kanstul is a fine tuba. Anyone considering getting one should also consider a Gnagey CC.

I know I played other horns, but I also spent a lot of time shooting the bull. All of the representatives and salesmen were great to talk to and very good guys! It's also great to see Tubenet guys that I've met over the years and hang with them again.

Tim Buzbee is some tuba player. Once again, James Grant's, Three Furies was performed at the conference. This year, TIm Buzbee performed it amazingly well. That gave me an idea. I know I couldn't play it, especially on a CC and I didn't own an F, although I spent time playing F's more than CC's this year. Hmmmmmmm! So, I bought the Three Furies. Then, I called my wife to tell I bought this amazing piece that's performed every year. But, I told her, I need an F tuba to play it. Well, that didn't work!!!!

[pgym]

ell. That gave me an idea. I know I couldn't play it, especially on a CC and I didn't own an F, although I spent time playing F's more than CC's this year. Hmmmmmmm! So, I bought the Three Furies. Then, I called my wife to tell I bought this amazing piece that's performed every year. But, I told her, I need an F tuba to play it. Well, that didn't work!!!!

No, no, no! You're supposed to say, "Guess what, honey! I won an F tuba in the raffle, and I only spent $xxxxx on tickets!"

[Bob Sadler]

No, no, no! You're supposed to say, "Guess what, honey! I won an F tuba in the raffle, and I only spent $xxxxx on tickets!"

Or start talking motorcycle until a new tuba seems like a rational alternative.
Bob Sadler

[cjk]

I don't guess anybody took a picture of the Dillon travel tuba ??

[mctsang]

I don't guess anybody took a picture of the Dillon travel tuba ??

I found one on their facebook page

[Steve Marcus]

Can anyone post photos of the Dillon 6/4 before it was taken by its buyer?

[TYA]

I don't guess anybody took a picture of the Dillon travel tuba ??

I found one on their facebook page

How much is the Dillon Travel tuba compared to the MW one? And is it in F too?

[cambrook]

From the erudite Rick Denney's post just above:

The Dillon travel tuba is a baritone-sized F tuba that accepts a regular F-tuba mouthpiece. It has screw-bell of about 8 inches, and it will fit in a case the size of a briefcase. I found it to play better than the M-W travel tuba, because I was not thinking "F tuba" when I held it, but rather "baritone". It was not at all unplayable with that mindset. $1600 (yes, nearly five G's less than the M-W). It's almost down in the price range where one might buy it "just because", and use it for where it is well suited.

[bort]

There was a mid-60's Miraphone 186, somewhat battered but with tight valves, that just made me happy. If only I had money to spend, and even a hint of a reason...

Where was that one? Guessing that sold as well... (I'm not interested, but for the benefit of others...)

[jtuba]

That Mirafone was in the corner, they may still have it. They also took in an old Sanders/Cerveny piggy that plays very well that may be at the shop.

[bort]

Heh, whoops... I meant to ask which store...

[Rick Denney]

Heh, whoops... I meant to ask which store...

Rick "Dillon Music" Denney

[bisontuba]

Hi-
No one has mentioned trying out the W. Nirschl piston CC tubas--have they changed the leadpipe &/or bell size or do they offer two versions? All 5 valve? All silver? How do they play back to back? I hear Brazil currency has gone up--are the horns still a good deal/competitive? Thoughts?
Regards-
mark

[Bob Kolada]

I also got to play the Willson Bb again. Very nice horn, easy to play, cranks a bit down low (whatever). I don't understand all the comments about it being impossible to hold. I either reached through for a valve slide or held it by the brace on the upper side of the bell. The leadpipe could -maybe- wrap around just a bit more. Oddly enough, it is a bit brighter than the 1291. I'd like to see these 2 horns unwrapped alphorn-style side by side. That little Willson F is a FUN horn; bass euphonumish but in a manly way. It was kinda funny watching the Willson/Getzen rep laugh as I tried to do glisses and scoops with the main slide trigger (kind of an after-thought look to it, but why don't all horns have something like this?).

Dillon travel tuba? Is that something new, or did you actually mean Meinl-Weston?

I heard there is a new Chinese made travel tuba, so guess that is it???
It will have to be very good indeed to hold a candle to the MW 14, but will no doubt be a lot cheaper!

I think I saw people playing it but assumed it was the MW and didn't bother as I was trying out a few horns for serious. However, I have to give some props to the MW. I played one at the 2009 Midwest that was terrible, but the one I played the next year was a really fun horn. Nice clear sound, good enough low range, agile,... The receiver angle is a bit awkward as I found the horn smashing into my rib cage. Jonathan, you should plug in a shallower mp, listen to some jazz bass trombonists to get a feel, and get yourself some big band action! I still wouldn't pay anything near what they cost but as long as you got it...

[Wyvern]

Jonathan, you should plug in a shallower mp, listen to some jazz bass trombonists to get a feel, and get yourself some big band action! I still wouldn't pay anything near what they cost but as long as you got it...

I got a PT-60 with a view to playing the travel tuba as substitute cimbasso, so that may do? Can you recommend any good recordings to listem to jazz bass trombonists?

[Bob Kolada]

Jonathan, you should plug in a shallower mp, listen to some jazz bass trombonists to get a feel, and get yourself some big band action! I still wouldn't pay anything near what they cost but as long as you got it...

I got a PT-60 with a view to playing the travel tuba as substitute cimbasso, so that may do? Can you recommend any good recordings to listen to jazz bass trombonists?

I'm not really a guy that buys albums (have a hard time listening to music much of the time!), but here's some solid stuff-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtpIaBCisto

Ben van Dijk and Brandt Attema have some great recordings on youtube (each has a channel). It's not super jazzy but both of them, particularly Ben, have very sing-y, somewhat brighter sounds that I get a jazz vibe from. Brandt has a bit more jazzy stuff and contra on youtube than Ben, as well as a lovely Bruckner arrangement (Locus Iste) for 4 horns, tenor, and contrabass trombone.
http://www.youtube.com/user/BenBasstrombone
http://www.youtube.com/user/brandtattema

Mattis Cederberg (forgot his user name on here!) had some cool stuff on bass trombone and cimbasso-
http://www.youtube.com/user/cimbassonista

And of course, anything with Dave Taylor!

I would conceptualize your travel tuba in a jazz idiom as some sort of bass/contrabone/cimbasso mix. You -might- try a smaller mouthpiece than the 60 for big band stuff- I wouldn't go any bigger than a contrabass trombone mouthpiece. Think powerful, brighter, and don't be afraid of some edge.
Some trombone quartet or quintet playing would be a lot of fun, a good testing ground, and easier to get together.