Tuba Adventures

There have been a lot of unanswered questions about the new Bb tuba nicknamed 'Siegfried'.

Siegfried, famous epic hero of Norse literature is known in music as one of the protagonists of the saga of the Nibelungen by Richard Wagner and is also the name of the new Bb contrabass tuba that the German carmaker "Miraphone" has recently produced and will be placed on the market shortly.
In last August, Maestro Eros Sabbatani (artist and professor of Miraphone Tuba at the Conservatorio G. Verdi in Milan) in Italy brought the prototype of this new model to receive the views and impressions of various musicians.
I personally had the opportunity and the chance to try Siegfried, preview, at a meeting of the Maestro Sabbatani held territory.
We all know that the German carmaker (specialized in manufacturing brass instruments) is invading the world of brass music market through continuous research, quality, value for money and above all with the help of world famous artists (see Baadsvik ) who have lent their experience to improve the quality of the instruments produced.
Before you even write my personal opinions, we give you a little earthen 'numbers on this tool:
Bass tuba in Bb 6 / 4 "Siegfried" 4 +1 cylinders (Handmade)
• Bell Diameter: 50 cm
• Height: 100 cm
• Development of the bore size from 21 to 24 mm

From what can be inferred from the measures listed above, the "Siegfried" is a tool from large and obviously the sound that results is rich in harmonics and powerful. The development of the bore size is very gradual, although the bell, its diameter considerably, is not very flared as part of the base already very large. The pump generally differs from historical models of the German tradition for its development very similar to that in tubal ago. Having heard in the section (with trombones) I can say that my favorite feature is that 'body effect "that this tool allows you to produce by creating a harmony with the rest of the section of trombones.

Although of considerable size, the tube is easy to play (obviously requires a considerable amount of air) and has an excellent uniformity of sound throughout the register.
In this regard, Siegfried is another advantage of the spontaneity in the issue of notes that require the use of the fourth cylinder. The proper intonation in this register is guaranteed by the fifth cylinder solves notes constantly growing with 4-cylinder models like the tuba and E natural, E flat, etc. ..
The weight is balanced, of course, the size of the instrument inside its not a burden too, only 1 meter in height.

The only sour note I would like to report, and that the Maestro Sabbatani confirmed, is the development of the rear bore size: uncomfortable contact with the body when it is being about to breathe the breath as our bellies enter in contact with the instrument itself does not allow optimum air intake.
In any case, the Maestro Sabbatani himself has already reported this problem to the engineers of the company that will soon be resolved. We must also take into account that generally develops a prototype 80% of the potential of the instrument as it is devoid of lacquer or silver plating and the welding is coarser than a model on the market.
Expect to see this new Miraphone prototype of the next exhibition in Frankfurt, will certainly be a competitive tool and a leader in its category.

The price, for now, has not yet been set. Certainly, given the trade policy implemented by a logic Miraphone money, will be competitive.
To you I leave more comments.

It remains to us all just wait for the release of Siegfried in the market to better understand what might be the final design of this new tool. Could this be competition for the 'Fafner' Bb in the future? Maybe.....