MW 5450RA

[Sousaswag]

Yep, I did it again. Before you laugh at me, here's why:

I wanted to go back to a model 5450 tuba. Every horn after my Thor that I owned, has been compared to it, and not once has one had the combination of pitch, ergonomics, playability and sound that passes either the large bell Thor or the Tuono, for ME.

As such, I posted the HB for sale because I wanted to go back to a 5450. I didn't particularly care if it was a Tuono or a Thor. It needed to have the large bell. That was my only want. I didn't care about pistons vs. rotors. This one was available with a motivated seller. Both Thors I inquired about had sellers that never responded. I'd owned a Thor before, so it's cool to have it's rotary brother now.

THIS particular tuba: It is literally new. No, not bought from Buffet. The previous owner had it on trial along with a Thor and a Pt-6P. This tuba didn't make it back to the store in time to get his money back, and he chose the Pt-6P over the 5450 tubas. It has sat, unplayed, for the last several years. It is well liked from guys who are MUCH better players than I. I'm not worried about not having played it yet. Again, I don't buy dogs, and I trust that it is as described. If the previous owner sees this and would like to add anything should he choose, that would be cool!

Another smooth transaction once all the money went through. If you're transferring a large amount of money, I'd honestly recommend using a cashier's check, NOT any of the electronic methods. I've used PayPal/Venmo/Zelle, etc, in the past, including for this transaction and it's such a hassle.

It is currently living with a good friend until I can fly out to get it. I'm very much excited about this one. I need it by late June, so I should have it in a few weeks to prepare an audition with it. It will be nice to feel "at home" again with a 5450.

Cheers until then; I'll update this accordingly. Feel free to still laugh at me.

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[bort2.0]

Congrats! This is going to be awesome!!

I agree, electronic payments for tubas are a hassle... when I sold my Rudy last summer, the daily payment limits were a hassle... so we had to split it across Paypal, Venmo, and Zelle. What a hassle. By comparison, when I sold the Besson 983 to Chuck D. he handed me an envelope of $100s. Not without its downsides, but that was as quick as it gets.

[Sousaswag]

Congrats! This is going to be awesome!!

I agree, electronic payments for tubas are a hassle... when I sold my Rudy last summer, the daily payment limits were a hassle... so we had to split it across Paypal, Venmo, and Zelle. What a hassle. By comparison, when I sold the Besson 983 to Chuck D. he handed me an envelope of $100s. Not without its downsides, but that was as quick as it gets.

Right- This tuba was done all electronically due to just not being able to physically pick it up yet. That's again why it is REALLY helpful to know somebody you trust in the area that horn is in. In all honesty, I could've left it where it was with the seller, as he's not somebody who would do anything, but we don't communicate all the time, and I'd just feel weird leaving it with somebody I'm not super close with.

Anyway, the Hirsbrunner is also with somebody who is a much better player than I, who will be able to use it in groups and situations that it fits very well into. I have no doubt we will see or hear it being played professionally very soon. It makes me feel good when a tuba goes to somebody who's really going to make use of it and treat it with care. Bittersweet.

For me, the 5450 models fall into the rule of "I want the tuba I pick to make it sound as if I practice more." Either one, both the piston and rotary version. Every one I've played has been point-and-shoot, and that's become very important to me as I've gotten older and been playing in groups NOT full of college kids. I'm very happy I have the privilege of owning such high quality instruments.

[bort2.0]

Every one I've played has been point-and-shoot, and that's become very important to me as I've gotten older and been playing in groups NOT full of college kids. I'm very happy I have the privilege of owning such high quality instruments.

It's a GREAT feeling when you get the sense that the tuba is helping you do your job successfully. None of us would put up with a horn that we're fighting all the way... but lots of times a "good" tuba is something that's pretty neutral and lets you sound and be just as good as you are. But when you can find something that actually enhances your playing and makes things EASIER, that's just the best. And not just like "I can think about music more because I'm not working as hard," but like "wow, this makes a better sound than I could make on a different tuba before."

[arpthark]

Neat. When I was in tuba skool I had an excellent PT-6, and my classmate had a Thor. I always liked the Thor quite a bit. More direct/present than the PT-6, I would say. I'd be interested to try one of these rotary versions out. Never managed to play one at a conference or anything. Hope you enjoy it!

[Grumpikins]

Amazing how the universe works. I was just thinking about posting a topic for MW fans to talk about thier MW horns. Because everyone seems to love talking about thier Mirafone or Piggy or Yamaha, etc. Nothing against those manufacturers. Just want to hear from other MW fans like me.

I absolutely love my MW 2145. Its not perfect; but i feel the same about it as the op talked about his Thor. Every other horn i play is compared to this one. The feel, the sound, the response.

Im so glad you got your unicorn back! [emoji16]

Sent from my SM-J327VPP using Tapatalk

[Sousaswag]

As far as MW horns, I like most of them.

The 5450’s and 6450 are some of my favorites.

I really like the 2250 F also.

The problem is, the other models are hard to find here. Their old stuff (45, SLP, 2165) is really a hit or miss as far as if you get a good one or not.

Never played a rotary Fafner, nor a piston one outside of an elephant room.

Also never played a 2155 or 2145. They have several new-ish rotary F tubas that look interesting but again they’re not often seen here!

[bloke]

The one time I played a rotary version, [the one that I played] was (and I hate visual words that describe sounds) "brighter" sounding - to me - compared to my (ok...) smaller-bell piston version.

I don't believe it was the room; I was playing it in a huge convention hall, and - actually - I was the only person in there, with no other people making any distracting noises (no chatter, no other horn-blowing, no vacuum cleaners, no lifts, no nuthin').

In the same way, I believe the PT-6 (vs. the PT6-P) does the same thing. I prefer the PT6.
That having been said, I believe I would pick my (formerly-owned, and really love that instrument) 5450(P), because I judge my piston instrument to offer quite enough (what did they call it...??) "hammer" sound (which I slightly dialed down with a 3mm deeper cup mouthpiece).

The rotary valves on my 98 (larger bore size - ok: YET farther down the bugle aside) might be what (to my ears) adds just a bit of "brightness"/clarity vs. the type of sound that I personally get out of BB-345 tubas and 2165 tubas (which - all three: 98, 345, 2165 - seem to feature extremely similar bells). I prefer the 98 resonance to (even Kevin Sprecht's remarkably in-tune) that of a typical BB345, because I believe it offers just as much breadth, yet more clarity (which means that I don't have to compensate for lack of clarity with additional decibels/work).

Piston valves offer very little bore distortion (Q-shaped - ie. "almost round with a little distorted shape"), whereas rotary valves pinch the bore down to a "D"-shape. Maybe (??), that actually does something, sonically.

I don't pretend to understand these causes/effects (as others pretend to).

The important thing - in this thread, and in general - is that you're really jazzed about your new (and not commonly found floating around) acquisition, and I'm sure you'll do great things with it !!!

[Sousaswag]

Fresh in from Texas, my (nearly) NEW Meinl Weston Tuono.

I've not played it for more than 10 minutes but can already tell you that it is a heck of a player. More later. For now, enjoy photos.

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Next to my CLEANED Willson 3200RZ

[bloke]

Fantastic

[arpthark]

Great looking horns! Awesome pair of rare birds, there. Looking forward to an assessment/review of the Tuono.

The Willson cleaned up very nicely!

[Sousaswag]

Let the initial review commence.

Background:

This tuba was (I believe) purchased around 2014 on a trial period, and never made it back to Dillon's. It has sat pretty much unplayed from then until now-ish. I had the opportunity to purchase it a few years ago instead of my MRP. I ultimately didn't because the MRP was located in Illinois and was much easier to get my hands on. Now, however, I realize I probably should have purchased this one.

It needed nothing other than a very minor polish and sole grease and oil.

Build quality and fit/finish: Superb. There's nothing wrong with it. Tiny ping on the first slide and on the bell. Who cares. Valves are quiet and quick.

Response: Literally second to none. Both 5450 models have THE best response and playability of any tuba I've played or owned. You can argue with me if you want; This is just my opinion. For me and the way I play, the 5450 is the ticket. Low register pops so easily. Intonation is pretty much point and shoot. Not much, if any, slide pulling needed.

Sound: As I play through the Snedecor book I'm reminded why I loved my Thor so much. This is every bit as good as that tuba, if not better, but with a much more attractive sound to my ear. Big, gorgeous sound that's much harder to edge out than my previous (small bell) Thor. That's literally the only reason I sold that Thor. I didn't love the sound coming from the small bell. Had I purchased a large bell Thor, I probably would like it just as much.

I realize this is all the honey moon period of tuba ownership, but this is seriously one of the best tubas I've ever played. If not the best. To my understanding Dr. Tindall REALLY liked it when it was at Dillon's several years ago. The seller (will remain nameless unless he decides otherwise) is also a MUCH better player than I, who knows his stuff, is a straight-shooter, and was honest about everything. I was completely comfortable purchasing sight-unseen again.

So far, so good.

[Sousaswag]

For an even shorter review:

I feel back at home playing this tuba.

It's also the first one that's made me say "Holy $h!t!!"

That is probably the best thing I can say about it.

[arpthark]

It's also the first one that's made me say "Holy $h!t!!"

I guess you haven't dropped a tuba down a flight of stairs before...

though I guess that would be more of an "OH SH!T" moment.

[Billy M.]

Congratulations on your new instrument!

This type of instrument was on my shortlist... only to be bested by my MRP.

[Mary Ann]

Ok, haha laughing at you but you do remind me of my saga with the Star. You did better financially than I did though. But when you gotta have it, you gotta have it.

[bloke]

I sold things off in order to buy FB...but I got enthusiastic, and sold off even more (ie. now: no C tuba).

It's for the best. Had I NOT sold it, I might have been monkeying around with both - going back-and-forth.

I went "back" just ONE time - the day the C tuba buyer finally was able to pick it up...

(I played it after doing little cleaning/oiling job...with the amount of oil it regularly received, it never required a "chem-clean" job.)

During/after the short playing and play-testing "goodbye" session, I wasn't missing it a bit.

[Sousaswag]

This is, unequivocally, THE best tuba that I've ever played. I am very tickled by it. Simply cannot put it down. It is everything I loved about my Thor, but it has better pitch, and a much more pleasing sound. I just love it. So, so easy to play. I can't wait to get it into a big space.

I think, and hope, that I am DONE tuba shopping.

[Doc]

Fresh in from Texas, my (nearly) NEW Meinl Weston Tuono.

I've not played it for more than 10 minutes but can already tell you that it is a heck of a player. More later. For now, enjoy photos.

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Next to my CLEANED Willson 3200RZ

This is a superb combination of instruments!