MW Fafner

Final bump and price drop. If it doesn’t sell soon, I’ll probably just keep it. Fine with me. Too much of my time has been wasted by Facebook tire kickers.

Their new F tubas are outstanding. The piston models are similar to the HB-10, MRP, and MW 2250.

I’ve not spent any time with the newer rotary models, but all of their piston F’s play better in tune than either of my big Willson F’s.

My first F tuba was an Eastman 864. I believe it was one of the ...

I thought about posting this in the repairs thread, but... Nah. I already have a thread here.

Anyway...

I decided to strip the lacquer off. I think the tuba looks 1000% better.

The process was pretty simple. Brush Ferree's Z22 on, let it sit for a few minutes, hose it off. The only thing was, it ...

I just used that Z22 stuff on modern (2014-ish) lacquer. It came off almost immediately. How’s it work on the Eastlake orange? I recall King lacquers being particularly stubborn.

Yamaha Silent Brass is the best, and most expensive solution. Most practice mutes suck. Silent Brass is actually quite good at what it does.

Check your apartment noise making hours, let your neighbors above, below, and next door know you’d like to practice between X hour and X hour, and most people ...

I think it’s probably worth contacting him and asking. No harm. Otherwise, Joe’s offer is probably your best option to get SOMETHING on that tuba.

Meinl Weston parts - Bells, Crooks, Leadpipes, and other things

I'm sure these guys will be able to help with B&S too, as they're made in the same factory. I've emailed Warren Kus mostly, who set me up with Ruben Gedlaman, who I believe is their parts manager. Here's how I've done it: Ruben can get ...

Blake - No idea. I would assume “yes” from Willson. I’ve bought a whole bunch of random stuff from them, and I assume they make all those piston and rotor blocks in house.

MW? I think it would be harder. Doesn’t Meinlschmidt make their piston and rotor valves? I’d assume, if you pay for it, they’ll ...

Hey all,

I've gotten a lot of questions over the last few years about where I'm buying parts for my (German, Swiss) instruments, as a CONSUMER, not a repair specialist. I thought I'd put all relevant information and places here for your convenience.

I always like handling parts orders for myself ...

Cool! Good sir Warren Kus mentioned to me it was in the works!!!!

Although, the spot that tuning slide occupies for the 796 was a nice area to hold the 3301 (pt2p) tuba when your walking with it.

The lead-pipe and second valve tubing on the 4097 CC (pt20) gets in the way...


I owned a PT-20P ...

Cool! Those VMI’s were always really nice players and relatively cheap used. Looks like they kept the looped leadpipe but made it longer. And put it in a better spot so water doesn’t get all over your pants when you empty it

Wow! What a great find.

BUMP for updated prices and trades

Wow. Do you know who the first owner was? Maybe reach out and see if they’ve still got those parts. You could have them made, but would certainly be spending a lot.

MW will probably make them for you, but expect a long wait, lots of money, and tariff charges.

See my thread about my “6465” if you ...

Hang on. Are we talking about just the guard wire, or the WHOLE guard cap?

Neither would impact resonance or hall presence in an audible way, imo.

What removing the whole guard will do is make that tuba extremely easy to dent. I’d try and track those down, or ask somebody to make new ones (no ...

This tuba is getting the bell swap. I started here, and plan to have all the other stuff stuck on it later. I got tired of seeing that pretty bell sitting here taking up space!

In addition, it’s also getting slides 2, 3, and 4 actually movable while playing (they’ve been out of alignment for 2 ...

There’s one at Baltimore… Maybe he’s referring to that one?

I agree with bort. I spent a serious amount of time with a piston 3050 years ago. Had it on trial to purchase. I was also pursuing a Miraphone 1293 at that time.

The Willson - Heavy, but top-heavy. That bell is so thick, it feels like the ...

Try a PT or RT 65. They’re fairly cheap.

Play F.