Initial impressions of Production Gemeinhardt Piston F & Eb

[Alex C]

What surprises me the most is that Gemeinhardt, a woodwind company by heritage, is producing a line of tubas: F, Eb, CC, 2 BBb's... I was told a small CC is in the works, so that's at least 6 seperate instruments. Kanstul may be producing that many or more but it's a company with a heritage of brass instruments. Gemeinhardt?

I liked both the F and the Eb. They both share a Besson-98X-size-bell. The finished product showed great workmanship, certainly not what I've experienced from most Chinese assembled horns. Soldering (a pet peeve of mine) was terrific. The Eb had a darker, heavier sound than the F but the F tuba's sound sang in all registers. Both horns seemed very efficient to my ears.

The open bugle's pitch was great, with the fifith partial being flat, as expected. What wasn't expected was the solid intonation in other partials (up to the 11th). Octaves were perfect and this was true on both horns.

Both instruments blow freely. I compared the F against another manufacturer's $11,000 F tuba and felt like there was no comparison. I wanted to compare it against the Miraphone Petrushka which I consider the benchmark F tuba, or the or even the rotary valve Bel Canto, but neither was at the show.

I did compare the Eb against another manufacturer's recent Eb addition to the marketplace. I thought the Gemeinhardt blew more freely and put out more sound. I can see where someone could like either horn but I like the Gemeinhart's open feel more than the slight resistance in the other. I would like to see the first valve slide a little easier to push/pull but it is a cheap adjustment.

I prefer to see these horns made in the USA but that does not seem likely in the forseeable future. So at the end I have to say that these are absolutely the best F and Eb I've played, at the advertised price range. They will compare favorably with other horns at any price.

Anybody else play these at TMEA?

[J.c. Sherman]

Pictures?!?

[iiipopes]

Any comments as to relative physical weight of the instruments, physical balance (not bell heavy, with the wider flare, I hope), and the girth of lower range of the instruments?

[GC]

I wonder why there's no mention of these tubas on the Gemeinhardt or Gemstone Web sites.

[GC]

Also considering what a lousy job many companies do of updating their web sites . . .

[bisontuba]

Hi-
Pics of front of the F, & of final prototype CC Gemeinhardt and production F Gemeinhardt tubas--front and back (CC on left)-enjoy.

F is mine with some 'Mark mod's' done to it locally, and the CC will be back with Dick Barth in time for the Ohio Music Educator's show this Thursday.

BTW, Don Harry and I will be using our new Gemeinhardt F tubas together next week with the Buffalo Philharmonic.

I used the CC prototype last week playing next to Don with the Buffalo Philharmonic. It worked superbly.

Both the F and CC are just fantastic--forget about where they are made ( the quality of the instrument construction is consistent & superb) or the inexpensive prices--they are just GREAT tubas-period!!!

mark

PS Nice pics Dick took at TMEA--at his blog: BarthsBrassBlog

[Karl H.]

I also played the CC and F at the Army conference (I'm playing the F in the 3rd pic in Dick's blog pics from there). CC was a pre-production model but was very nice. I really liked the F! Very much the same impressions that Alex had. I haven't played a piston F that sang like this one; intonation, response was very even, and I didn't notice any mid-low register issues at all. And I wasn't using an "F" mouthpiece, I only brought a Laskey 30H. Imagine what a shallower-bowled MP could do...

The Gemeinhardt is my favorite of the new F tubas being produced. It's the first F that's made me think about giving up my beloved Alex F (blasphemy!)

Karl "old dog thinking of new tricks" H.

[Bob Kolada]

Was there any thought given to having 2 dependent valves (if one, then why not 2)?

[Kevin Miller]

Ditto Alex! You KNOW I loved both of them!

[Alex C]

Any comments as to relative physical weight of the instruments, physical balance (not bell heavy, with the wider flare, I hope), and the girth of lower range of the instruments?

I don't have the weight but neither horn is heavy. I think it is similar to the YFB822. I held the horn in my lap for about 45 mins. between playing and talking, not an issue.

Dick explained to me how he worked for improved ergonomics in balance and in valve cluster. The pistons are closer together than most horns and the arrangement is comfortably eronomic.

Girth of the lower range? I thought the sound in that register was thick but there's no way it has the weight of a CC. The Eb, in my opinion, could work in a section of CC's or BBb's but it's definitely not as heavy a sound as those horns. You can get edge on it, though. The F's sound would be comparable to the yamaha or Petruschka. I'd have to play them side-by-side to be more accurate.

Dick Barth said the horns were mouthpiece sensitive, and he suggested a Rose Solo Model type mouthpiece. I played my Warburton J1 and was pleased overall.

Also, the mouthpiece receiver is Euro sized; I specifically brought my J1 with a #1 Morris taper, I should have brought the Ero shank for a better fit.

[Wu299]

I have certain doubts about quality of chinese instruments after longer time. In my country I know about a few people, who had (not so long ago) their trombones quite literally fall apart or simply had quality of sound go awful in no longer than 5 years.
Can anyone tell me Im wrong in this and prove it?
Thanks.

[bisontuba]

I have certain doubts about quality of chinese instruments after longer time. In my country I know about a few people, who had (not so long ago) their trombones quite literally fall apart or simply had quality of sound go awful in no longer than 5 years.
Can anyone tell me Im wrong in this and prove it?
Thanks.

Hi-
As with any product, you can get poorly made/cheaply made items, or finely made/pricey made items. As a well known repairman told me, 'If you want the Chinese to make a $99 WalMart musical instrument, they can do that---however, if you want a no holds barred quality musical instrument made, they can do that too....'
Mark

[bisontuba]

We're all waiting...[/quote]

Hi-
No need to wait---THEY'RE HERE--and called Gemeinhardt.....
Mark

[bisontuba]

What do you think?

[bisontuba]

Whatever you say Joe......

[bisontuba]

Bump...

[ShoelessWes]

I have certain doubts about quality of chinese instruments after longer time. In my country I know about a few people, who had (not so long ago) their trombones quite literally fall apart or simply had quality of sound go awful in no longer than 5 years.
Can anyone tell me Im wrong in this and prove it?
Thanks.

You are probably right. "Testers" and "Show Models" are a lot like going on a first date. That is the best you will ever see that girl. That is the nicest she will ever be, and you are seeing absolutely the best she can show you.

If I went by every horn I played that was a "tester" or "show model" I'd want to buy every tuba on the market. It seems, more often than not, when you buy a big name, you aren't buying just the name, but you are buying a product that more closely resembles the "tester". The girlfriend on date 20, most like the first date.

[k001k47]

[goodson]

Just test play the production models. You will either like them or not.

I think that Gemeinhardt has designed a good horn. Now just test the production horns and see if one of them fits you as a player.

I am interested in the F and the CC, but I will test play both production models before I purchase anything.

[ShoelessWes]

Just test play the production models. You will either like them or not.

I think that Gemeinhardt has designed a good horn. Now just test the production horns and see if one of them fits you as a player.

I am interested in the F and the CC, but I will test play both production models before I purchase anything.

I could not disagree more. WAIT until the product line is released and into the market. Let other people take that risk, and test play 2 or 3 of the instruments in the real world.

I would bet very good money that the instruments that end up in the hands of regular joes, are not on par with our current options from europe or some of the yamaha line.

Don't ever trust someone's judgement when 1.) they are given that horn for free or reduced prices---and---2.) they have been given the best horns that represent that company.