1292 Pipe on a 1291

[adsteve]

Does anyone have any experience putting a 1292 lead pipe on a 1291 tuba? I switched to a silver 1291 last year and have heard the change makes quite a bit of difference in response. I have played on a 1292 and notice better response, but I have not played on any 1291's with the different pipe.

Also, where would be the best place for me to purchase if I make the switch? I've checked with Dillon and The Horn Guys and am waiting on pricing.

Any help would be much appreciated, thank!

[bort]

I did this with my 1291... I'll post the details later tonight or tomorrow. Short answer is I likes it a lot, would do it again, and ordered the parts through Oberloh. I think it's way more expensive now than it was 5 years ago.

[ckalaher1]

A guy I know is thinking about doing the same thing. I have to admit that I was a bit taken aback by the price he was quoted by one of the places that sells Miraphones.

[ckalaher1]

I'm an idiot for not realizing that the guy I know is the guy who originated this thread. Sorry man.

[Timmm]

I'm an idiot for not realizing that the guy I know is the guy who originated this thread. Sorry man.

Perhaps I find this much more amusing than it should be, but man that was funny.

[bort]

Does anyone have any experience putting a 1292 lead pipe on a 1291 tuba? I switched to a silver 1291 last year and have heard the change makes quite a bit of difference in response. I have played on a 1292 and notice better response, but I have not played on any 1291's with the different pipe.

Also, where would be the best place for me to purchase if I make the switch? I've checked with Dillon and The Horn Guys and am waiting on pricing.

Any help would be much appreciated, thank!

Here is my experience with this. I owned a 1291 and did this modification, and liked it a lot. I will preface this by saying a few things:

1) Both before and after the change, I have NOT conclusively found that I like 1291s or 1292s better than the other. I have found some examples of both models that I like better than the other.
2) This modification is an *adjustment*. If you don't like the tuba before, you probably still won't like it afterwards. But if you *know* and *like* the tuba now, I think it's worth a try to improve the tuba. I owned my 1291 for several years before deciding to do this.
3) Make sure you try some different mouthpieces first. That can also make a significant amount of difference in how the tuba plays, and is far easier and cheaper than tuba surgery.
4) I also think the 1291 takes an American shank mpc, and the 1292 takes a Euro shank, so make sure you use the right thing!

The 1292 leadpipe is smaller than the stock 1291 pipe. The biggest change for me was the response and slotting of the notes. The 1291 has a huge and easy to play low register, which is a great thing. But, the slots are kind of large, and the 1292 pipe help to focus this and narrow down these slots. Also, in general, the tuba seemed to respond better and more like some 1292s that I like. Before doing this, I emailed briefly with Alan Baer (who designed the 1292 before jumping the Miraphone ship for Meinl-Weston), and he also suggested that the improvements of the 1292 over the 1291 are largely because of the leadpipe (I guess that's similar to the way the 2165 is improved when installing the 45SLP leadpipe?).

I ordered my part from Dan Oberloh. It took a long time to get the part (4 months?), but that was because it was included as part of another planned shipment he had, to save on the shipping costs from Germany. For nickel-silver leadpipe (including receiver), I paid $210, plus shipping. Installation was about $100-150 (I don't remember) at Baltimore Brass. Total cost was under $400, and it was absolutely worth it for me.

I think the cost of the parts has gone up in recent years, but I'm not sure by how much. You will have to decide if it's worth it to you or not. Again, this was worth it and it improved the tuba for me...but make sure you really like it already before the change. It's not going to magically transform it into something else.

Good luck!

[Roger Lewis]

I have the 1292 pipe on my horn as it tightens it up just a little more. I did keep the 1291 receiver on it though. I like how it plays and believe it was the best choice for me. I know several other people who have done this and they also prefer how it plays.

Just my $0.02.

Roger

[rperrym]

Is this discussion related to the CC 1291, 1292 tubas? I am asking because I have the BBb version and wondered if this is something I should also consider. I am very pleased with the way it plays, but then sometimes you don't know what you might be missing.
Thanks,
Rick

[bort]

Is this discussion related to the CC 1291, 1292 tubas? I am asking because I have the BBb version and wondered if this is something I should also consider. I am very pleased with the way it plays, but then sometimes you don't know what you might be missing.
Thanks,
Rick

The CC version. I *think* the pipe on the 1291 BBb is already the same bore as the 1292 CC (but just bent in a different shape).

You're right though, if you like it as-is, don't mess with it!

[rperrym]

Thanks for the reply.
Rick

[joh_tuba]

I guess that's similar to the way the 2165 is improved when installing the 45SLP leadpipe?

How long until someone puts an SLP leadpipe on a 1291?