The outside looking in on "tubas"

[luke_hollis]

This probably includes shipping.

[bort]

Well, I don't understand why those peoples' car stuff costs so much.

It would be nice though if that $75k could be used to buy new American-made tubas for these bands. I guess the King 2341 and Kanstul BBb options are insufficient for their uses. Nothing against those tubas or companies... but I guess they sure ain't Hirsbrunners.

[Bob Kolada]

That reminds me of a reservist I heard about at AIT who had a C and a Bb, each costing around 12,000 (no idea what they were). I took months to decide on whether to request a new horn. When I did I had played as many as possible and included in where it was being sold for price comparison. All of the tubas we've purchased since I showed up have all been individual purchases though our older Miraphone Bb's were purchased as a group of 4.

We still haven't received it, but at least everyone else in the band has a bunch of horns.

It would be nice though if that $75k could be used to buy new American-made tubas for these bands.

I agree. Quality domestic horns should get the nod*, though I suppose some horns don't have much of a "production market" here. I requested a Miraphone, but only after trying the (few) similar domestic models. One didn't play as well as the Miraphone in the area that I would need such a horn to be solid in; the other does but has finalized into a setup that I find terribly uncomfortable.

*Especially on the trombone side as there are so many wonderful American horns!

[cjk]

https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity ... 0&_cview=0" target="_blank" target="_blank

The U.S. Army ACC ARCC NORTH requires the following items, Brand Name or Equal, to the following:
LI 001, TUBA-BRAND NAME OR EQUAL TO: MANUFACTURER: HIRSBRUNNER MODEL NUMBER: HB-1 BBb, 3, EA;
LI 002, TUBA CASE-BRAND NAME OR EQUAL TO: MANUFACTURER: HIRSBRUNNER MODEL NUMBER: HB-1P BBb, 3, EA;

looks like 3 Hirsbrunner BBb tubas + cases.

The model names are the ones made up by one importer with some sort of exclusive import agreement, so there was probably only one company that could actually bid on this.

[cjk]

The model names are the ones made up by one importer with some sort of exclusive import agreement, so there was probably only one company that could actually bid on this.

cough-cough

There is NO existing exclusive contract with any one importing company to sell Hirsbrunner tubas in the US. The parties involved may have just been in the habit of buying from one company.

I would think that getting only one bid is the ideal situation.

[cjk]

Only for the seller.

It would appear to me that the "buyer" has written the specifications in such a way that he or she will only get one bid.

Been there, done that.

[Bob Kolada]

It really could only work that way part of the time. Rightfully so/not, people try to get what they want.
I suppose they could end up with a Schillbrunner (is that the same model in rotary? whatever).

[jonesbrass]

Too much to pay, even for three Hirsbrunners with Anvil cases.

When I was in, stores used to dump their "dog" horns on the military. Yes, it's a Miraphone 186, but it's a 3-year-old Miraphone 186 that noone that tried it wanted to buy, so we'll put it on that Army order . . .

[toobagrowl]

...and yeah, pictures of fat guys sporting formal livery outfits posing with shiny tubas with serious expressions on their faces is...funny. We're just used to it.

It's hilarious

[jtuba]

When I was in, stores used to dump their "dog" horns on the military. Yes, it's a Miraphone 186, but it's a 3-year-old Miraphone 186 that noone that tried it wanted to buy, so we'll put it on that Army order . . .

Some stores still do.

[jonesbrass]

When I was in, stores used to dump their "dog" horns on the military. Yes, it's a Miraphone 186, but it's a 3-year-old Miraphone 186 that noone that tried it wanted to buy, so we'll put it on that Army order . . .

Some stores still do.

Used to hate that. We would sometimes order a tuba from Rudy Meinl (no large stock of them out there) and have certain special features put on them at the factory to prevent this.