Bort's Rudy Meinl 5/4 BBb (it is here!)

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Three Valves
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Re: Bort's Rudy Meinl 5/4 BBb (completed!)

Post by Three Valves »

By then, it will also have a superfine custom bag that goes with it.

I suggest something classic like hunter green and tobacco brown, or navy blue and tan... :drool:


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Re: Bort's Rudy Meinl 5/4 BBb (completed!)

Post by Tubajug »

That is one handsome tuba!
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Re: Bort's Rudy Meinl 5/4 BBb (completed!)

Post by bort2.0 »

kingrob76 wrote: Mon Mar 28, 2022 10:13 pm Interested shoppers: This horn will be for sale by Thanksgiving, so get your funds together now!
All I'll say to that is "get in line." Because for real, at least 3 people have already approached me asking for me to let them know if I decide to sell it...

No guarantees for how fast or slow that line will move. For my sake, I'm hoping it'll move very slowly.

I've worked hard for this reputation. :teeth: :laugh: :facepalm2: :tuba:
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Re: Bort's Rudy Meinl 5/4 BBb (completed!)

Post by Three Valves »

kingrob76 wrote: Mon Mar 28, 2022 10:13 pm Interested shoppers: This horn will be for sale by Thanksgiving, so get your funds together now!
The first thing to go has to be that Altieri Poverty Bag!! :smilie2:
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Re: Bort's Rudy Meinl 5/4 BBb (completed!)

Post by bort2.0 »

I'm not a fan of the Alteiri bags, but let's be real:

gig bag > no gig bag
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Re: Bort's Rudy Meinl 5/4 BBb (completed!)

Post by DandyZ629 »

Three Valves wrote: Tue Mar 29, 2022 11:21 am
The first thing to go has to be that Altieri Poverty Bag!! :smilie2:
What am I missing? What's a "Poverty Bag"?
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Re: Bort's Rudy Meinl 5/4 BBb (completed!)

Post by bloke »

bort2.0 wrote: Tue Mar 29, 2022 11:31 am I'm not a fan of the Alteiri bags, but let's be real:

gig bag > no gig bag
...unless it's that type, or unless you can find someone to buy it (preferably with a tuba you're selling).

My pet name for those is "Old Maid" bags.

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Re: Bort's Rudy Meinl 5/4 BBb (completed!)

Post by Three Valves »

DandyZ629 wrote: Tue Mar 29, 2022 11:47 am
What am I missing? What's a "Poverty Bag"?
Poverty Bag = cheap/run of the mill/nothing special.

See also;

Poverty Hub Caps = cheap/run of the mill/standard equipment/dog dish wheel hub cover.
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Re: Bort's Rudy Meinl 5/4 BBb (completed!)

Post by hrender »

I don't think the Altieri's are that bad, just much less padding than I would want.

Believe me, if you're really cheap there are several steps further down...

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Re: Bort's Rudy Meinl 5/4 BBb (completed!)

Post by DandyZ629 »

Three Valves wrote: Tue Mar 29, 2022 12:11 pm
DandyZ629 wrote: Tue Mar 29, 2022 11:47 am
What am I missing? What's a "Poverty Bag"?
Poverty Bag = cheap/run of the mill/nothing special.

See also;

Poverty Hub Caps = cheap/run of the mill/standard equipment/dog dish wheel hub cover.
Ahh. Got it. Hilariously the last vehicle I was involved with the sale of, had "Poverty Caps" on it. It was a 1970 Buick GS Stage 1. It went for roughly the price of 10 or so new Rudy Meinl 5/4's.
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Re: Bort's Rudy Meinl 5/4 BBb (completed!)

Post by tofu »

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Last edited by tofu on Sun Jun 25, 2023 3:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Bort's Rudy Meinl 5/4 BBb (completed!)

Post by Sousaswag »

Wow! Can’t wait to read your initial review!

About Altieri bags: I bought one in 2017 new for my first tuba. It was fine. Negligible padding, at least compared to my Cronkhite for my next horn. The one thing I liked was that the backpack straps were placed lower on the bag so it rode higher on your back and didn’t smack your thighs when you walked. However, double-edged sword, as lower doorways were a constant struggle. Altieri is the definition of “dent bag” for me. :bugeyes:
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Re: Bort's Rudy Meinl 5/4 BBb (completed!)

Post by Rick Denney »

Sousaswag wrote: Wed Mar 30, 2022 6:20 am ...Altieri is the definition of “dent bag” for me. :bugeyes:
And for me, though I recognize that they are made well in terms of durability, especially compared to, say, Protec. I bought one in 1985 or so for my Cerveny, and learned a few lessons from it. One is that I don't like top-loaders--they put a lot of stress on the bell. Two is the softer the brass, the better the needed case. That Cerveny would dent if I wrapped on it with my knuckles (really!). Three is that a carry handle needs to attach to the sides of the case, and come up to the hand from both sides with four attachment points, rather than being sewn into the top-most joint at only two points. The thing would spin side to side in my hand, permitting the magnetic attraction between the edge of the bell and any available door jamb. This couples poorly with the first thing--the bell is already loaded in the turn-down direction from the drawstring, so the door jamb simply has less work to do. Four is that open-cell foam is less effective than closed-cell foam, particularly when it is low-density.

I ended up sewing an additional padding strip along the edge of the case that was closest to the floor when carrying--a strip of Cordura encashing an inch of closed-cell foam cut from one of those roll-up camping "mattresses".

I traded it for an old Brasswind-labeled Reunion Blues (Cronkhite-made) to a guy who wanted better shoulder straps. I still have the RB, and it's still great.

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Re: Bort's Rudy Meinl 5/4 BBb (completed!)

Post by bort2.0 »

I've never pretended to like the Alteiri bags, but again, "having a bag" is always better than "not having a bag". I always used to joke that the Alteiri bags were "included" and not on top of the cost of the horn.

Upgrading to a better bag is 100% in the future, if I keep the horn long-term and feel that it's worth it. When I lived in NYC, and had to walk a few miles plus take an hour long train ride, the best possible gig bag was an absolute necessity. In middle America, I still highly value the nice cases, but it seems like overkill for a short walk from car to rehearsal room and back. I can absolutely imagine that an Alteiri bag would last 30 years when used 5 minutes at a time, once a week. Even if I don't like them, there's still the whole "wants vs. needs" argument.

(PS -- my real problem is the awful drawstrings. And the separate top cap. And the frumpy front pocket.)
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Re: Bort's Rudy Meinl 5/4 BBb (completed!)

Post by cktuba »

Please let me know whenever you're ready to sell... :teeth: :laugh: :cheers: :tuba:
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Re: Bort's Rudy Meinl 5/4 BBb (completed!)

Post by jtm »

I saw "if I keep the horn long-term".
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Re: Bort's Rudy Meinl 5/4 BBb (completed!)

Post by bort2.0 »

jtm wrote: Wed Mar 30, 2022 4:16 pm I saw "if I keep the horn long-term".
Just saying, very few people marry the 1st, 5th, or even 10th person that they date... :eyes:
cktuba wrote: Wed Mar 30, 2022 4:12 pm Please let me know whenever you're ready to sell... :teeth: :laugh: :cheers: :tuba:
You're number 5 in line. :laugh:

No, but really, you are.
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Re: Bort's Rudy Meinl 5/4 BBb (completed!)

Post by jtm »

bort2.0 wrote: Wed Mar 30, 2022 4:20 pm Just saying, very few people marry the 1st, 5th, or even 10th person that they date... :eyes:
Not at the same time, anyway.
bort2.0 wrote: Wed Mar 30, 2022 4:20 pm You're number 5 in line. :laugh:
I was number 3 (at least) for the last tuba I bought, so ... might as well stay in line?
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Re: Bort's Rudy Meinl 5/4 BBb (completed!)

Post by bort2.0 »

jtm wrote: Wed Mar 30, 2022 4:48 pm I was number 3 (at least) for the last tuba I bought, so ... might as well stay in line?
And I'm pretty sure I was one of those people.

"You're welcome."

Now, update your signature line! :)
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Re: Bort's Rudy Meinl 5/4 BBb (completed!)

Post by jtm »

bort2.0 wrote: Wed Mar 30, 2022 5:04 pm Now, update your signature line! :)
So soon? Might not keep it.

Should I add you to the queue, preemptively?
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