Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Why do we put up with it!


[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ TubeNet BBS ] [ FAQ ]

Posted by Lee Stofer on March 19, 2003 at 08:11:37:

In Reply to: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Why do we put up with it! posted by LV on March 18, 2003 at 20:22:17:

Rudolf Meinl has incorporated computer-aided design, and does make outstanding-playing instruments, but as Matt Walters alluded to, human quirks have as much to do with the equation as a perfect instrument.
Example - in 1998, Rudolf Meinl joined the other German tuba manufacturers in an industry-wide competetion administered by the German Trade Ministry, to see who could make the best 5/4 BBb tuba. Rudolf Meinl took his 5/4 BBb which was already a great tuba, revamped it using the computer re-design of the tapers, added a 2nd valve slide trigger, and two interchangeable leadpipes of different tapers. This marvel, called the "Bayreuth Model", won the competetion, but the human element was clearly shown. The two parts of the competetion were 1) Checking out the instruments by electronic measurements (for intonation), and 2) Play-test evaluations by a panel of German orchestral tubists. In the electronic measurements, the Rudolf Meinl won by a large margin, but in play-testing, it tied for first with another tuba, which by the first test should not be expected to play nearly as well in tune.
By the way, this year the test instrument for the competition is the piccolo trumpet, and again Rudolf Meinl has a hot contender (how's that for extremes of the spectrum?).

Lee Stofer


Follow Ups: