The INCREDIBLE 6/4 BAT CC from Big Mouth Brass-impressions

[bisontuba]

Hi-
I am sitting listening to a Buffalo Philharmonic rehearsal with Don Harry using the new Big Mouth Brass J-865 BAT 6/4 CC tuba. Prior to the rehearsal, we got to the Hall early and met Dick Barth, who stopped by on his way to the NYSSMA Conference.




Note: The 'other' BAT is the Matt Walters made/Mike Lynch owned Lyon & Healy 6/4 CC--while the L&H is an amazing horn, we all agreed surprisingly the BMB was #1!





This horn is simply INCREDIBLE! The low range is by far the best of any BAT today. Everything slots easily, the high range sings, pitch is spot on, and the sound---oh what a sound--like a beautiful pipe organ. It is very rich and full.
Hearing Don use it now with the orchestra-it blends with the low brass and is very majestic sounding.
I 'll let Don give his opinions on the horn on his Facebook page.
Even though the horn would be tremendous with just 4 valves, I have ordered one this morning in silver with 5 valves (5th v is dependent).
Dick has done it again--he now has a 3/4, 4/4, and now a 6/4 that are simply the best! I urge everyone attending MidWest, NAMM, Army Tuba Conference, etc. to check it out--you WILL be blown away. For more info, ordering, and prices, go to his blog at: Barthsbrassblog.com
BTW, a 6/4 BBb is also on the way!
My 2 cents...

Regards-

Mark
jonestuba@juno.com" target="_blank

[MartyNeilan]

No doubt the horn is very good. However, Don is one of the "unsung heroes" of the tuba world. He is every bit as good (or even better) than many "household names" in the tuba business. I am sure he could make a hosepipe sound like the CSO York.

[jmerring]

So; the Chinese horns are starting to get good reputations. I noticed that the bore on the horns was in a good range. The .812 -.835 bore horns are just too difficult to play (for me).

There were no prices listed. How might one find out?

Thank you.

[GC]

Purple prose is not only unconvincing, it becomes counterproductive past a point. The point has been passed.

[PMeuph]

Purple prose is not only unconvincing, it becomes counterproductive past a point. The point has been passed.

+1

[jmerring]

Purple prose is not only unconvincing, it becomes counterproductive past a point. The point has been passed.

To whom is this comment directed?

[tbn.al]

Me thinks the aforementioned point would be somewhere about the second word of the subject line.

[Schedonnardus]

Purple prose is not only unconvincing, it becomes counterproductive past a point. The point has been passed.

To whom is this comment directed?

my guess is marty

[PMeuph]

Hi-
I am sitting listening to a Buffalo Philharmonic rehearsal with Don Harry using the new Big Mouth Brass J-865 BAT 6/4 CC tuba. Prior to the rehearsal, we got to the Hall early and met Dick Barth, who stopped by on his way to the NYSSMA Conference.
This horn is simply INCREDIBLE! The low range is by far the best of any BAT today. Everything slots easily, the high range sings, pitch is spot on, and the sound---oh what a sound--like a beautiful pipe organ. It is very rich and full.
Hearing Don use it now with the orchestra-it blends with the low brass and is very majestic sounding.
I 'll let Don give his opinions on the horn on his Facebook page.
Even though the horn would be tremendous with just 4 valves, I have ordered one this morning in silver with 5 valves (5th v is dependent).
Dick has done it again--he now has a 3/4, 4/4, and now a 6/4 that are simply the best! I urge everyone attending MidWest, NAMM, Army Tuba Conference, etc. to check it out--you WILL be blown away. For more info, ordering, and prices, go to his blog at: Barthsbrassblog.com
BTW, a 6/4 BBb is also on the way!
My 2 cents...

Any other takes?

[Steve Marcus]

Russiantuba wrote:

A independent 5th valve, to me, makes a lot of sense. A dependent 5th valve just killed 2 of the major fingerings most people use to improve intonation.

Have Barth/Gemeinhardt experimented with an independent 5th valve?

I will say that ALL my friends who play bass trombone say having an independent 2nd trigger makes a world of difference to them, and that they very much dislike dependent 2nd rotors, they say it doesn't feel right.

What exactly are the differences in fingering and/or intonation between an independent vs. a dependent 5th valve on a CC tuba?

[bort]

If you had a dependent 5th valve, you wouldn't be able to use 235 (in place of 24) for Db and Gb. Not sure that's what James meant, but I sure used that a lot when I had my Miraphone 1291 (like he has).

[bisontuba]

Pics added...
Mark

[GC]

tbn.al and PMEuph nailed it. Definitely not leveled at Marty.

I like big horns and would love to try a 5-valve BBb, but can't afford one at this point. Not to mention that it would have to come with a roadie.

[Schedonnardus]

tbn.al and PMEuph nailed it. Definitely not leveled at Marty.

Apologies.

[GC]

No sweat.

[cjk]

The first valve slide looks way too long. Is it just pulled out really far?

[Bob Kolada]

Maybe that IS the fifth valve.

[eupher61]

So, maybe this isn't the tuba for everyone?

Wow. A little variety. A new approach to a situation.

Personally, with my measly bass bone skills, I almost prefer a dependent rotor...a lot less weight involved. The old Holton with the roller or the superbar thing were great for me.

[Steve Marcus]

What is the overall height and width of the BMB 6/4? The diameter of the bell? The circumference just prior to the bell flare? The bore of each branch?

Thanks for the info.

[bort]

...don't take my word for it, go try these horns...

Will they be at the Army Band conference in January?