FS: 1983/84 Handmade Hirsbrunner HB-50, Mike Sanders personal stage/recording CC tuba. SOLD pending funds.
Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2022 12:47 pm
Up For Sale is a handmade Hirsbrunner HB-50 from 1983/84. This instrument was the primary stage/recording HB-50 for Mike Sanders, formerly of the San Antonio, Utah, and St Louis Symphonies. Despite owing a few other HB-50’s over the years, this example was kept at Powell Hall for performances, while all others were kept at home for practice purposes.
This HB-50 was part of the third group imported in 1983/84, and it is in truly exemplary condition including the silver plating, which shows very very little wear. Minimal signs of dent/ding removal are seen on the large bowing, but again, this is minimal. The valve cluster, slide assemblies and circuitry are in outstanding condition. All slides move smoothly, and the valve action is great with no signs of sluggishness.
A few notes on modifications, namely the “Pokorny Mods”:
-larger 5th valve and 5th valve tubing
-smaller taper leadpipe
-conical main tuning slide
-pistons replated in 2005
-two very small patches on the 3rd valve circuitry, the result of installation and subsequent removal of Amado water keys
(Both patches were tested and are secure and tight)
I hadn’t played this instrument for probably 20 years, but I did have a chance to spend a bit of time play testing the tuba on 7/9 (using a PT-44 mouthpiece), and my thoughts are as follows, with my handmade 6450 being compared in my mind when doing so:
-pitch is very stable top to bottom. Very little slide pulling needed. Standard combinations work fine, and E/Eb in the staff are fine using open/2nd valve.
Surprisingly easy response in the low register. No “dead spot” around Bb-G below the staff, as is sometimes the case. Very open blowing down there.
-Tuba is very very flexible, both in terms of sonic capabilities and response.
-Sound is very very THICK and OPAQUE. There isn’t a hint of hollowness to the sound.
-outstanding response top to bottom. Very very even.
-***LONG STORY SHORT…….I do not believe there’s much of a learning curve for playing this HB-50***, and that’s about the best thing I can say about any tuba.
Better than taking it from me, I’d encourage anyone interested to listen to some of the many recordings on which this instrument can be heard. You can hear it on all Slatkin/SLSO recordings for November 1990 forward, and many ArchMedia recordings of more recent vintage, including Bruckner 4, Bruckner 7, and Tchaikovsky 4.
Considering the provenance and pedigree associated with this tuba, Mike would really like to get this horn in the hands of a current or future pro who will appreciate all that it has to offer. Included with the sale of the tuba will be a Walt Johnson Flight Case.
Acceptable forms of payment include Cashier’s Check, or PayPal. If using PayPal, please add 3% to total, as Friends and Family is not an option.
Asking price for this fine instrument is $16,500. Offers will be considered, but the sale will not be final until both parties recognize and agree upon the price.
The tuba can be play tested in suburban St Louis, Missouri. Shipping the tuba is possible, but the buyer should be aware that it will cost a substantial amount to do so, and will include insurance for the final dollar amount of the sale.
Feel free to PM me with any further questions.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/B7rfarkwFMsrUsr99
This HB-50 was part of the third group imported in 1983/84, and it is in truly exemplary condition including the silver plating, which shows very very little wear. Minimal signs of dent/ding removal are seen on the large bowing, but again, this is minimal. The valve cluster, slide assemblies and circuitry are in outstanding condition. All slides move smoothly, and the valve action is great with no signs of sluggishness.
A few notes on modifications, namely the “Pokorny Mods”:
-larger 5th valve and 5th valve tubing
-smaller taper leadpipe
-conical main tuning slide
-pistons replated in 2005
-two very small patches on the 3rd valve circuitry, the result of installation and subsequent removal of Amado water keys
(Both patches were tested and are secure and tight)
I hadn’t played this instrument for probably 20 years, but I did have a chance to spend a bit of time play testing the tuba on 7/9 (using a PT-44 mouthpiece), and my thoughts are as follows, with my handmade 6450 being compared in my mind when doing so:
-pitch is very stable top to bottom. Very little slide pulling needed. Standard combinations work fine, and E/Eb in the staff are fine using open/2nd valve.
Surprisingly easy response in the low register. No “dead spot” around Bb-G below the staff, as is sometimes the case. Very open blowing down there.
-Tuba is very very flexible, both in terms of sonic capabilities and response.
-Sound is very very THICK and OPAQUE. There isn’t a hint of hollowness to the sound.
-outstanding response top to bottom. Very very even.
-***LONG STORY SHORT…….I do not believe there’s much of a learning curve for playing this HB-50***, and that’s about the best thing I can say about any tuba.
Better than taking it from me, I’d encourage anyone interested to listen to some of the many recordings on which this instrument can be heard. You can hear it on all Slatkin/SLSO recordings for November 1990 forward, and many ArchMedia recordings of more recent vintage, including Bruckner 4, Bruckner 7, and Tchaikovsky 4.
Considering the provenance and pedigree associated with this tuba, Mike would really like to get this horn in the hands of a current or future pro who will appreciate all that it has to offer. Included with the sale of the tuba will be a Walt Johnson Flight Case.
Acceptable forms of payment include Cashier’s Check, or PayPal. If using PayPal, please add 3% to total, as Friends and Family is not an option.
Asking price for this fine instrument is $16,500. Offers will be considered, but the sale will not be final until both parties recognize and agree upon the price.
The tuba can be play tested in suburban St Louis, Missouri. Shipping the tuba is possible, but the buyer should be aware that it will cost a substantial amount to do so, and will include insurance for the final dollar amount of the sale.
Feel free to PM me with any further questions.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/B7rfarkwFMsrUsr99
