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Reverb: Hirsbrunner BBb (Yorkbrunner looking)
Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2025 9:33 am
by tubatodd
This looks like a Yorkbrunner to my eyes, but perhaps...yeah...in BBb. The price is less than I would expect for a Hirsbrunner.
https://reverb.com/item/88359991-hirsbr ... valve-tuba
Re: Reverb: Hirsbrunner BBb (Yorkbrunner looking)
Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2025 10:00 am
by MiBrassFS
I suppose anything is possible, but it sure looks like a Yorkbrunner…
Re: Reverb: Hirsbrunner BBb (Yorkbrunner looking)
Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2025 11:44 am
by arpthark
Seriously considered, but with the condition of the bottom bow and bell and that large suspect patch on the inner branch, not to mention the cost of shipping (I was quoted $900), this is probably going to be a pass for me. With all those issues, I think the price is fair. Hopefully somebody can go check it out in person.
Re: Reverb: Hirsbrunner BBb (Yorkbrunner looking)
Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2025 12:08 pm
by MiBrassFS
I once bought a Yorkbrunner from Pershing’s Own. It had a big crack in the bottom bow where it hit the chair for 20+ years. I used a flattened out bottom bow guard from a Conn tuba sideways as a patch. Looking at the back of the small side of the bottom bow closely you can see it. I think it played great once it was all done. I had the bottom bow and bell replated at Anderson’s. You (Arpthark…) posted pictures of it here from TN. That’s my basement wall in the pictures. I sold the tuba to a trombone playing friend in Montreal who loved tubas.
I ain’t afraid of no patches…
viewtopic.php?t=7651&start=20
Re: Reverb: Hirsbrunner BBb (Yorkbrunner looking)
Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2025 12:11 pm
by arpthark
MiBrassFS wrote: ↑Thu Mar 27, 2025 12:08 pm
That’s my basement wall. I sold it to a trombone playing friend in Montreal who loved tubas.
But why did you sell part of your basement wall to someone in Montreal?!
I kid. That's a really nice looking patch!
Re: Reverb: Hirsbrunner BBb (Yorkbrunner looking)
Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2025 12:22 pm
by Sousaswag
For $6500 plus a grand or two in dent and repair work, someone could have a VERY nice Swiss-made York copy and still be under the price of an Eastman… Just sayin’…
Re: Reverb: Hirsbrunner BBb (Yorkbrunner looking)
Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2025 12:51 pm
by the elephant
I am certain the seller marked it as a BBb by mistake. This happens on eBay all the time when a shop flips a horn.
There is a reason there is a book called "Learn to Play the Instruments You Service"…
Re: Reverb: Hirsbrunner BBb (Yorkbrunner looking)
Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2025 12:52 pm
by the elephant
Sousaswag wrote: ↑Thu Mar 27, 2025 12:22 pm
For $6500 plus a grand or two in dent and repair work, someone could have a VERY nice Swiss-made York copy and still be under the price of an Eastman… Just sayin’…
I'd buy a 6/4 Hirsbrunner for that price, given the condition and unknown key. However, it is inexpensive enough to make me worry about it being hot. HB new-buyers were brainwashed at the time or purchase that they actually did purchase "the Rolls Royce of Tubas" (BS!) and when they finally sell they are convinced that their beat up HB missing 30% of its plating, with the nasty triplene rotors, etc. is worth seven and a half billion shekels. These people suffer from Fred Marrich Syndrome. It is tragic. Nice tubas, but not *that* nice. I actually dislike most of the models they made, including the later HB-50. (I liked the HB-2P and the original, hand-made YorkBrunners. I liked the HB-10 and HB-12 F tubas, too.)
Just some opinions no one wanted.

Re: Reverb: Hirsbrunner BBb (Yorkbrunner looking)
Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2025 3:55 pm
by tubatodd
If I was in Arizona, I would totally take a chance.
Re: Reverb: Hirsbrunner BBb (Yorkbrunner looking)
Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2025 4:06 pm
by Sousaswag
I agree Wade. Some of their newer models suck. Hb-21…..
I loved that gorgeous Hb-2P I had for a while. Great design and tuba but still needed a bunch of slide pulling.
This tuba I think I’d be willing to take a chance on but I always wonder how they get so much silver wear… What happened to some of these things?
Re: Reverb: Hirsbrunner BBb (Yorkbrunner looking)
Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2025 6:50 am
by MiBrassFS
The choke hold put on HB was not just bad for tuba consumers, it was bad for HB. Exclusive deals like that are business dinosaurs.
Re: Reverb: Hirsbrunner BBb (Yorkbrunner looking)
Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2025 12:07 pm
by arpthark
And, gone!
Re: Reverb: Hirsbrunner BBb (Yorkbrunner looking)
Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2025 12:53 pm
by MiBrassFS
Doesn’t say sold, just “ended.” I wonder if someone tip them off…
Re: Reverb: Hirsbrunner BBb (Yorkbrunner looking)
Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2025 10:30 pm
by humBell
Same seller as the Martin mammoth, which also is ended, and the Holton 331 which continues.
Your guess is as good as mine.
I just want to say those little are Holtons are heavier than one expects, but are pretty good.