New Gronitz double tuba

[Ferguson]

Dietrich Kleinehorst has posted pictures of the new BBb/F double tuba
on the Gronitz website.

Find (slightly) larger pics and info on the F tuba page, here: http://www.gronitztuba.de/index.php?id=62

Here are a few small pics:





Ferguson
/want
//dunno what it costs
///a lot?

[bisontuba]

Hi-
Very, very interesting...thanks...
Mark

[bububassboner]

Looks like I need to take a trip next month...

[UDELBR]

About 15 years ago, I happened to be in the Gronitz shop while Dietrich was brazing together a set of double-valves (yep; he makes 'em himself). He sorta poo-pooed the whole concept though. Maybe he's had a revelation since.

[phaymore]

So on a French horn, the instrument in "normally" in F. When the switch valve is pressed, it puts in the horn in B-flat above the F. So how does it work on this horn? Normally in Bb, then raised to F or the other way around?

[bububassboner]

So on a French horn, the instrument in "normally" in F. When the switch valve is pressed, it puts in the horn in B-flat above the F. So how does it work on this horn? Normally in Bb, then raised to F or the other way around?

That is the American set up for French horns. Here in Germany everyone sets up their horns so that Bb is the "normal" and the change valve drops the horn down to F (makes more sense this way).

From what I am reading, this tuba sits in BBb and the change valves raise it to F.

[bisontuba]

Hi-
Compare the pics of this new Gronitz double tuba to Dr. Young's new Gronitz double tuba--different horn/wraps....
Mark

[Chuck W]

Uncle beer is sort of right. The compensating version double is what Dietrich thinks is less desirable than the modern piston design he came up with. After owning a Herbert Gronitz preWWII made compensating double which I loved. I play a PF 125 now and have been for many years. Dietrich knows what he is talking about when it comes to tubas. The non compensating double probably plays well since it is back in the catalog.

[bort]

That Dr. Young is always such a smooth talker.

It does all make a bit more sense now though, that Gronitz already has all of the double valves and parts at their disposal. Now its just a matter of putting them together in different ways. I'd imagine that building tuba sized double rotors from scratch is of no interest to many manufacturers.

[bilmac]

Help me here. Is it an f tuba which drops to Bb or a Bb tuba which goes up to f ? There seems to be differing interpretations as to which it is.I note that the Gronitz catalogue lists it in the F section which suggests the former but I'm not sure which way the thread is going. I did have a quick blow at a Gronitz Double 35 years ago after I had heard it being used for Bruckner 7--unusual instrument. Would take work to become comfortable with it.
I play compensators and non compensators,depends what's on the stand. None of them has perfect intonation,not even the compensators. I can get the non compensator to play best in tune as long as there time to pull slides,mostly the first one.
I think the reality is that at the bottom of an orchestra/band,the sound spectrum is so wide and dense, the human ear cannot register the imperfection in time to determine whether it's in tune or not. The moment has passed(unless the notes are being held for some time in which case you are prepared for it and adjust accordingly either by a slide pull or lipping or both) and the listener is on to the next piece of musical language. A very famous British Brass band adjudicator told me that adjudicating was like driving down a motorway at speed and seeing telegraph poles going past. It 's all so quick.That's the reality.Of course a machine can detect the imperfection but that's not in a performance forum where so many other factors are in play.
A perfectly in tune instrument is a Holy Grail,it's a myth. The reality is that just about all tubas are inherently out of tune, some more than others.We have to manage it, it 's a big part of the fun of playing.
BTW-- the Barlow F's which were so celebrated were pigs when it came to tuning. Some players refused to play them,others made them sing. It's the player !! It's not the horse , its the jockey--ask Tony McCoy!!

[Erik_Sweden]

Hi all,

Some questions from a tuba noob.

• 1: Is there a tuning slide for each side, or one common ?
  2: Do you play it on the Bb side in mid range, and F side on top and bottom range ?
  3: What does they mean with: "the 4th valve of the Bb-tuba as ascending valve" ?

[Erik_Sweden]

Thanks

As for point 1 I meant main tuning slide, so I can retune the whole Bb and F side separatly

[bisontuba]

Hi-
I did send an email to Gronitz about this tuba-- it takes six months after order is placed due to the carbon fiber valves! The price is approx. $22,000 Euros...over $30,000 U.S......
I believe this is the week of the Frankfurt Music Show-- maybe the horn will be there for people to test....
Mark

[tclements]

I GOTTA play one of these. Is there one in the US yet?

[bort]

I must be in the minority here, but I have no desire whatsoever to try one of these. It's about as appealing as a double-bell euphonium to me. I'm glad it exists, I'm glad other people like it, but for me it's neat for about 20 seconds...

[UDELBR]

I have no desire whatsoever to try one of these.

Ever tried one? Then how do you know you won't like it?

Tryin' ain't buyin'.

[bort]

Tryin' ain't buyin'.

Fair enough, it's just not an interesting concept to me. Not sure why, just isn't!