Stupid Newbie question re: Rudolf-Meinl 6/4

[Jess Haney]

Welcome.

Can it be played delicately, or is it no more than a cannon?

So here is the real question, can YOU play it delicately? The 6/4 is not a horn for mere mortals, and not something I would recommend to someone beginning to play the tuba, regardless of musical history. I have never played the Rudy, but I understand it is bigger than even my Alex 164. I drive my Alex in very select ensembles, where I know they can take the breadth of sound that comes from it. At these ludicrous sizes, volume is often not the issue, but overwhelming presence.

If you are serious about throwing down more than $20,000 on a Rudy 6/4, seek out one here in the states, or contact the company directly to schedule a visit to try one yourself.

Best of luck!

Well played sir. I have seen eyes of joy and eyes of holy crap from other ensemble members over the depth of sound my Willson will have when the director asks for more foundation. Wind ensemble directors usually want something smaller as to not disturb the flamible instruments feelings and some directors welcome the sheer width of sonic bass. But ultimatly it must match the sound you envision in your mind. 2 cents

[TubaRay]

My take on this thread is similar to several others. I wonder why you posted here, in the first place. You seem to be oblivious to all advice. You had seemingly already made up your mind. What did you want from us? Validation? Here you go: Buy any instrument you want to be, so long as you have the cash. As long as I'm not involved in providing that cash, I'm quite happy to see you spend YOUR money any way you see fit. If it turns out the horn is exactly what you wanted--wonderful! If not: Oh, well!

Happy New Year!

[Rick Denney]

My take on this thread is similar to several others. I wonder why you posted here, in the first place...

Rick "fixing the link" Denney

[TubaRay]

My take on this thread is similar to several others. I wonder why you posted here, in the first place...

Rick "fixing the link" Denney

Maybe so....

[The Big Ben]

Even though I have never played a horn bigger than a 20J, starting with the Big Rudy would seem to be a lot like buying a Kenworth highway tractor to use as an everyday driver. It could be done but, unless pulling a 20,000 pound trailer of pig iron is something that you must do every day, some sort of 1/2 ton pickup or sedan would be more appropriate.

[MaryAnn]

Troll or no troll, if you had dystonia on horn (as I do and did) you will develop it on other brass instruments too. Maybe not as badly, but it will be there. You'll be able to hack well enough to be welcome in most amateur groups because of your musical skills level, but the chops are the chops.

And:
" Wind ensemble directors usually want something smaller as to not disturb the flamible instruments feelings "

Whoever said that, it is one of the funniest things I've ever seen here; I have a new name for those wooden scritchy-sounding things. One of the things I liked immensely about becoming a hornist was the new-found ability to completely drown out, single-handedly, a community orchestra violin section.

MA

[imperialbari]

Nun-brass.jpg

Be considerate towards the non-brass players!

[Jess Haney]

And:
" Wind ensemble directors usually want something smaller as to not disturb the flamible instruments feelings "

Whoever said that, it is one of the funniest things I've ever seen here; I have a new name for those wooden scritchy-sounding things. One of the things I liked immensely about becoming a hornist was the new-found ability to completely drown out, single-handedly, a community orchestra violin section.

MA

Thanks Maryann finally someone on this forum laughs a little bit and doesnt get upset about an opinion question. Some members come for honest advice and justafiable opinions and instead have people upset about members not taking the "best practice" on progression for purchasing an instrument. The original poster just wanted some advice and probably had easy access to the Rudy. Be easy people

[Bandmaster]

I was looking thru photos on my hard drive and I found another rare photo... 2 of the big Rudy 6/4s side by side. One in brass and one in silver. So enjoy...

[Steve Marcus]

...another rare photo... 2 of the big Rudy 6/4s side by side. One in brass and one in silver. So enjoy...

Was that photo taken in front of Lee Stofer's place?

[oedipoes]

that's a Bayreuth 5/4 on the left and a 6/4 on the right

Wim

[Jess Haney]

I just drooled a little...Are they CC or BBb? they look like BBb from the length of tubing.

[tbn.al]

...another rare photo... 2 of the big Rudy 6/4s side by side. One in brass and one in silver. So enjoy...

Was that photo taken in front of Lee Stofer's place?

That looks like it was taken in front of Lee's garage at his old place in Georgia. If so the picture is at least 6 years old. I played, or attempted to play, a RM 6/4 there at about that time. Quite an experience for a trombone player. It kind of debunked the myth that a bass trombone requires more air than a tuba. At least not that beast!

[DanPriven]

My take on this thread is similar to several others. I wonder why you posted here, in the first place...

Rick "fixing the link" Denney

Help out a person who clearly doesn't spend enough time on the internet. From context, the picture is meant to be dismissive... but would someone enlighten me as to the actual joke?

Thanks, and you're welcome for making you feel cool and "in"...


on an online tuba forum....

[tbn.al]

Help out a person who clearly doesn't spend enough time on the internet. ....

Are you sure of that statement? You have left quite a trail.

[DanPriven]

Thanks to the person who messaged me privately with the following:

Hello Dan as you probably worked out the picture is dp's way of suggesting that the original poster is fishing or "trolling" for responses preferbly angry ones.

Kettle calling the pot black if you ask me.

Less thanks to the folks who took the time to reply publicly, without taking the time to answer the question.

[tbn.al]

Sorry Dan, but I didn't know the answer either. Been wondering for a while but didn't ask because I didn't want to expose my ignorance. Thanks for clearing that up for me.

[Rick Denney]

Less thanks to the folks who took the time to reply publicly, without taking the time to answer the question.

Sometimes it takes a bit of thinking, but I'm glad you figured it out.

Rick "who has had to think about DP's posts a few times in the past" Denney

[gwwilk]

I just drooled a little...Are they CC or BBb? they look like BBb from the length of tubing.

Both BBb. The 5/4 Bayreuth, which I own, and the silver 6/4 traveled to Lee's together from the factory in Germany. They also, for some unknown reason, traveled together to California via Amtrak before somebody realized that their destinations were different. I was surprised to get a call from Amtrak after I had been disappointed for a week or so without news of an arrival of my tuba from Georgia telling me that my tuba had arrived on an eastbound train from CA! It was well worth the wait. The buyer of the 6/4 subsequently sold it within a year or two, which to me says something about using it as a 'daily driver'. The Bayreuth is an absolute joy to 'drive' every day. I returned to tuba after a 35 yr. hiatus with a St. Pete BBb, and I sought out the RM Bayreuth after I had determined I was serious about playing the tuba again. Yet...to each his own in that regard.

[J.c. Sherman]

I'll add (perhaps another) $.02...

I play horn as well. The Holton Fracas is a relatively "tight" horn, regardless of the bell throat. So you're already coming from a relatively small instrument of the family, compared to the larger bore Paxmans, McCrackens, Eroicas and the like.

I've played a 6/4 for years... they are not all-purpose devices, they are not easy to play compared to their normal sized brethren, and they are hardly useful. Sure, they may sound like organ pipes, but that's a one-trick pony. It takes a LONG time to get to a level where you can ad nuance and color to a BAT of the German gagantiphone variety. I've played a Rudy 5/4... and it's big. IMHO, just Big. Nothing else to recommend it. It's like buying a chainsaw to learn to cut paper. Sometimes that action is dramatic, but most of the time it's asinine.

I loved my 6/4, and will probably get an identical one. But it didn't get a lot of use except in my living room. When it was needed, it was exceptional. But I've also supported 110 piece orchestra plus a large chorus on my Eb. No reason on EARTH to use one of these as a daily driver, and the air use even on an efficient instrument will be like blowing into a Kirby vacuum hose... turned on.

There isn't a common sense professional who would recommend this. You can discard this for whatever reason; but I don't think you're gonna get an "amen" from any learned player.

J.c.S.