Re: Quick MeinlWeston question...


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Posted by Martin Matthies on November 21, 2000 at 03:38:33:

In Reply to: Quick MeinlWeston question... posted by Benjamin Schardt on November 20, 2000 at 16:19:15:

Dear Benjamin,

here is some history on the development of this horn: this discussion dates way back to the early 90s when we had to buy the piston valve sets for our Meinl-Weston instruments. Due to capacity problems of the suppliers for these piston valve sets we had to use 2 different sources at that time - the bore sizes were the same, though.

Then, around 1993/1994 we concentrated on one single supplier instead as the service and
sparepart issue (valve guides, springs, felts: all in 2 versions) did not allow an easy handling for players, dealers, wholesalers - and own people of course...

Since 1995/1996, we are now using only “our own” ( = manufactured by our sister company
Vogtländische Musikinstrumentenfabrik GmbH - according to our specifications) piston valve sets at Meinl-Weston. There are no 2 different types any more.

Around 3 years ago in 1996/1997, we decided to “upgrade” our CC-Tuba 2145 by using only “big valves” - like on the other CC’s 2155, 2165. On these “big valves”, the bore size is the same, but the piston diameter is bigger, which results in less disturbance in the airflow in the valve group. If you are looking for comments on this from other players: the reaction we’ve got was that this “opened up the 2145 tremendously”.

Today, at the end of the year 2000, it is therefor quite unlikely not to get this latest version with the “big valves” on new instruments. If you want to be sure, just measure the outer diameter of the outer valve casing: it should be no less than 32,5mm (which is approximately 1.279in) on every piston.

Hope this helps.

Martin Matthies
--
Wenzel Meinl GmbH
Seniweg 4
D-82538 Geretsried
Germany



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