Medium sized rotary CC tubas (and a realization)

[roweenie]

#6

[Billy M.]

New ones (actually built as CC tubas, and not as shortcutted BBb's) play remarkably well in tune (with the sound that Alex-lovers love), but their pricing may be a bit stiff for many youngsters' parents.

Or just many youngsters. Believe me, I'd love to get my hands on a new Alex. The sound those horns produce represent the epitome of "the tuba sound" to me. Oh if I could just win the lottery without having to play it.

[bort]

New ones (actually built as CC tubas, and not as shortcutted BBb's) play remarkably well in tune (with the sound that Alex-lovers love), but their pricing may be a bit stiff for many youngsters' parents.

Last time I checked, it really wasn't much different than any other new tuba. Even a new Miraphone 188 is over $10k now.

[cambrook]

As promised, here's a photo of a HB2P next to my RM4345R. The HB2P is a little bigger in the bottom bow. The angle of the camera is slightly deceptive - the 4345 is just a bit taller. The HB might have a slightly broader sound, but not by much - the RM has more core, and the fabulous Rudy Meinl sound - and it's super easy to play

[ndh3425]

have you thought about Eastman CC?

[arpthark]

have you thought about Eastman CC?

? Not sure who you're addressing, and the Eastman is a piston valve tuba.

[bort]

And Chinese, so for bort, that's 2 strikes. For other people, they just love those tubas.

Cam -- thanks for the photo! The Rudy looks amazing, definitely on the list as my "splurge" option.

[PaulMaybery]

[quote="bort"]And Chinese, so for bort, that's 2 strikes. For other people, they just love those tubas.

HHHMMM!!!

Rudy verses the Chinaman:
Just had the new tubaist with the Minnesota Opera over for dinner and we did a comparison of the Rudy and my Jin Bao (rudy-clone) cimbasso. (Minn Opera has a Rudy) The clone won hands down. Obviously a better instrument. Even sound and response top to bottom. VERY even intonation - no push and pull. Gorgeous tone and very free blowing. Just sayin'. Another plus for the clone is that they are pretty much "peas in a pod" as far as consistancy. With hand made horns, sure its romantic to sense old world craftsmanship, but they are often quite different, horn to horn. With a clone, if the initial digital scans were made from an excellent example, then subsequent clones will follow suit. Much less chance for deviation.

So entertain yourself with a Packer, Eastman, Wiseman etc, etc.

Sorry, if I hijacked this thread. It's a bad habit of mine. Mea culpa,

[bort]

No worries, Paul. BTW, were you able to help Itai out with a mute at all? Hope he could find one...

That's very interesting, and in a way, I might not be too surprised -- how many cimbasso's does Rudy make per year (might be better counted as every 2 or 3 years?) compared to how many JinBao makes per year. I think there's a lot of good opportunity there for JB to use that to their advantage... which sounds like the case.

And I fully admit, the China tuba thing is my own thing, and I have no doubt that some very fine tubas are made there now. But for me, it's just a personal choice. But at least with the Eastman, it's also a piston horn and not really the type of sound I'm looking for... so, it's just not a great match all around, regardless of where it's made. Thanks for the story though!

[cambrook]

Big difference between Rudy Meinl tubas and cimbassi......

I'm a big fan of Rudy's current tubas - and many (but not all) of his/their older ones.

I'm a big fan of Haag cimbassi

[PaulMaybery]

Sorry if I seemed as if I was trying to disparage Rudy. Not at all, but rather giving some credence to the Chinese instruments. I failed to add BMB to my little list, and I do contend they are some of the finest sounding tubas on the market, regardless of where they are made or the price. But then I play them and so of course they are great, why wouldn't they be?

I want to be clear, and I think this is something that is important here on Tubenet, and that is for many reasons, we generally play different instruments and have various loyalties and preferences ... and therefore a fairly wide range of personal opinions. When I read that someone is truly happy with their tuba, I am glad 'cuz it ain't always easy to find one that suits your needs and style. For those who are still looking, I believe there are many here who are happy to share their enthusiam for certain brands and models.

Best wishes to my tuba friends.

[Travis99079]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WS2yPGWXn4Q" target="_blank
FF to 4:55

Sure that 186 is out of the question??

[bort]

If I could play like that, I wouldn't be asking TubeNet for ideas.

Thanks for the link though!

[Travis99079]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WS2yPGWXn4Q" target="_blank
FF to 4:55

Sure that 186 is out of the question??

Legend tells that recording was made with Bobo and Johnson on 184 and 185, respectively.

I actually did not know that! I had heard that they both were on 186s as it was much newer at the time. Was it true that one of them was "accidentally" invited because the score called for tenor tuba as well?