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[TheHatTuba]

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[arpthark]

I don't know about vs. other Hirsbrunners, but I've found, out of the handful of HB-21's I've played, that the 23 combo is uniformly a bit wonky (really flat Eb below staff, really sharp Ab in staff) and that the resonance of notes from Bb below the staff down to around F is impeded, or "stuffy," one might say. Gorgeous sound otherwise, great response otherwise. A guy I go to school with sounds absolutely fantastic on one. I'd like to give a 2P a whirl sometime.

[tclements]

Honestly, the best tuba I ever played was (is) the HB2. I have owned several, and always sold them to up & coming students, and have always regretted their sale. I just recently got ahold of another and I will keep this one forever.

[toobagrowl]

I've heard things like, "stay away" or "the HB2 is FAR better". What specifically is worse about the HB21 than the other 4/4 Hirsbrunners? I've only played on an HB2P.

The old HB-2P is a GREAT all-around tuba. The HB-21 took it's place, but had some tuning & response issues at the same sky-high price tag. I guess they thought that taking the loop out of the leadpipe of the HB-2P and making it go straight into the valve block (HB-21) would "improve" the tuba.......but instead made it worse.
Both models had the great Hirsbrunner sound, but the HB-2P had more even intonation & response than the HB-21.

[Thomas Maurice Booth]

I have an HB-21 from 1993 that is a great horn. I do not have any of the "wonky" notes and the horn has served me very well from auditions and solos to ensembles.

As with any type of horn though, there are lemons, so you should play test any instrument you are interested in. That being said, I would not hesitate to purchase my horn again.

TMB

[Kayla]

I have an HB-21 from 1993 that is a great horn. I do not have any of the "wonky" notes and the horn has served me very well from auditions and solos to ensembles.

As with any type of horn though, there are lemons, so you should play test any instrument you are interested in. That being said, I would not hesitate to purchase my horn again.

TMB

Mine is from 2001/2002 (not sure of exact year atm) and it's also a great horn with no "wonky" notes. Other people have played my horn and commented on how great it played. I guess I got pretty lucky with my HB-21. I wouldn't mind tooting on a HB-2/2P for comparison, though.

[KenS]

I've owned an HB-2, HB-21 and lastly an HB-2P.

I purchased the HB2 in 1976. It was a great horn. Unfortunately I had to sell it 10 years later... When I bought another horn, since I was spoiled by the HB2, I bought a 21. We did not get along very well. It had the 23 intonation issues and was just a "hard" horn to play. I can't put any other words to describe it...

I found an HB2P to replace it and have not looked back...

Ken S.

[MKainuma]

I can't speak to the variance of samples of the HB-2, 2P and 21, as I've only played a handful of each. I can say that the HB-21 I own and play 90% of the time is a fine horn, and I've owned HB-2's and 2P's as well. Preference? Luck? Having gotten used to it? I don't know.

[OffuttTubaGuy]

I have also been fortunate with the purchase of my HB-21. I was able pick mine from 5 just as they arrived at Custom Music in 1996. Most pros who play my horn usually comment that this one is another great example.

Many players have characterized the HB-21 as "hard to play", including me, especially early in my ownership. I've tried a number of other similar size horns, including the MW2000 and Nirschl WN-15, but I have always returned to my 21. After 15 years of playing it, I think of the horn as more "unforgiving" vs. difficult to play. I have also found that this horn sounds very different out in the hall vs. under the bell (in a good way!).

[MTFULRUTUBA]

I've owned my HB-21 since 1995. I'd have to agree that the 23 valve combination can be quirky and that the middle ledger D tends to be sharp. The low A through F can sometimes not speak as immediately as I'd like, but that is probably more operator error on my part!

Of the 10 different HB-2's I've had the luck of playing, I only remember 2 that I didn't like. One had intonation all over the place (possibly remedied with more time with the tuba) and the other was one of the stuffiest tubas I'd ever played. Still a very good ratio in my opinion since tubas can really differ from one to another.

Course owning any Hirsbrunner or tuba for that matter these days is a luxury!

[TheHatTuba]

The 2+3 and 1 combinations were also weird for the HP-2P that I played. The horn, however, was very responsive and not a stuffy instrument at all. Between the HP-2P and the Rudy 4345P, I'd choose the Hirsbunner.

Hirsbrunner:
- Good range
- Few intonation quirks
- Colorful, fuller sound

Rudy:
- Good mid range (VERY restricted low register, good but weaker upper than the Hirsbrunner)
- Good intonation
- Kinda bland sound

[Calinours89]

I have a HB2P That it was build in 1988 !!

And let me tell you that I will never change my Baby for a Other One !!
The most difficult thing i think ... is to find a HB2P that is for sale lol