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Any Direct Comparisons of HB10 and Adams F?

Posted: Tue Apr 02, 2024 10:08 am
by the elephant
This is addressed to people who have OWNED these horns, meaning BOTH one of the HB instruments as well as one of the Adams versions. I know that this is probably such a small pool of people that it may not even exist, but I'm going to ask, all the same…

Is anyone here able to draw direct comparisons between the OG Hirsbrunner HB10 or HB12 F tubas with the modern iteration by Adams (which seems to be an HB10 with a larger bell flare that matches the HB12, along with both leadpipes. or at least a small and large leadpipe)?

I am just curious. I have never had the opportunity to play either HB F tuba except for a few minutes at TMEA about a million years ago. (1988?)

I am only interested in direct comparisons drawn over a long time of usage DUE TO PERSONAL OWNERSHIP.

IDGAF about people with the same or even less experience than I have.

Let's keep it real, Freak Jury. No replies would be a better state than a page filled with stuff I neither want nor need.

Thanks.

If anyone within a day's drive of Mississippi owns one of these two HB piston F tubas and would like to try my Adams while letting me try their HB, It might be an interesting thing to do. I am not looking to buy, sell, or trade, I am just curious about what Adams has done to this design and how it affects how the instrument plays. Perhaps lunch or supper afterward would be fun, too?

Re: Any Direct Comparisons of HB10 and Adams F?

Posted: Tue May 28, 2024 8:32 am
by the elephant
Still looking for an HB-10 or HB-12 owner within about ten hours of me who would like to play my Adams in exchange for some face time on their tuba. I'll buy supper…

Re: Any Direct Comparisons of HB10 and Adams F?

Posted: Tue May 28, 2024 9:13 am
by the elephant
Since I have never heard of this man I would not be comfortable contacting him. I would rather not cold-call someone to "invite myself over for tea", so to speak.

And what makes you believe he owns an HB-10? It says nothing about that in his bio.

Re: Any Direct Comparisons of HB10 and Adams F?

Posted: Tue May 28, 2024 10:18 am
by Eric Murphy
When I studied with him he had a piston Hirsbrunner F. I'm not sure which model model. He is a great guy. I'm sure he would be willing to work with you.

Re: Any Direct Comparisons of HB10 and Adams F?

Posted: Tue May 28, 2024 11:42 am
by Sousaswag
He has an Hb12, I believe. The larger of the two.

Re: Any Direct Comparisons of HB10 and Adams F?

Posted: Tue May 28, 2024 1:40 pm
by russiantuba
Fritz Kaenzig I believe had the HB 10, pretty sure Mickey Moore had the HB 12.

Mickey is a great guy. Stellar player with a HUGE sound.

Re: Any Direct Comparisons of HB10 and Adams F?

Posted: Thu May 30, 2024 3:19 am
by MiBrassFS
I’ve played a number both models of HB F. I’ve never played an Adams. So, I really have nothing intelligent to add to this thread except…

FWIW, Mickey is a really good fella. Great wit and wisdom. Long time AJ student. I bet he’d be glad to share his experience with his HB. Our connection is a knowledge of and first hand experiences with Harry Begian of whom Mickey is a big fan.

Mickey once was giving a recital at one of the tuba gathering and “invited” me in a “make sure you’re there” sort of way. And, of course, I missed it because I lost track of time. Every time I saw him for quite a while after I was reminded that I sucked for missing it. His wit in play.

Anyway, he’s kind of an under the radar guy and deserving of more recognition. I’m absolutely not surprised that the elephant was unfamiliar with him. He’s not been out there waving a flag or doing any of the modern means of self promotion.


Re: Any Direct Comparisons of HB10 and Adams F?

Posted: Thu May 30, 2024 5:16 am
by the elephant
I know who "Mickey" Moore is. but the name "Michael Moore" did not ring a bel at first. I believe he used to occasionally sub into my orchestra many years ago when he was at USM. (The MSO player back then was a local band director named David Mayfield and the orchestra barely paid babysitting money at that time.)

Still looking for someone actively in this community, though.

I am surprised that no one here gets that putting someone into the awkward position of having to say "no" is never cool. It is akin to my walking up to some random house and asking to come in and give their bed a test because some people on the Internet said they own the specific mattress I am looking at buying. If you don't get that, well, we are cut from different cloth, I suppose.

No, no, no, no… :cheers:

Thanks, folks.

Re: Any Direct Comparisons of HB10 and Adams F?

Posted: Thu May 30, 2024 8:19 am
by MiBrassFS
He taught at U of Southern Mississippi early on, so entirely possible he did sub in your group.

Sorry for the noise. I think folks are just trying to help you wrangle this unicorn. That was my only intent. Cheers!