Posted by dp on September 16, 2002 at 09:54:32:
In Reply to: Opinions on Hirsbrunner BBb's posted by Brent on September 16, 2002 at 03:55:34:
they HB rotory is really a different type of horn from the others you mentioned. VERY nice tubas i.m.o. but the one I played the most a few years ago was older, had the composite valves, and although they were just fine (as I recall) I've heard and read here that the plastic/brass valve composition can be problematic.
I think the best BBflat rotary tubas out there right now new are the Alex 163s. Saturday a fellow sitting next to me in tuba ensemble practice had a new red brass Alex 163 that had a sound that was beyOND wonderful! If the next round of red brass 163s in CC are this nice I could see myself canning the piston tubas and going with a 1-horn arsenal, it was THAT GOOD!
f.w.i.w.
Dale