Tuba Review - Melhart 6/4 CC

[Doc]

Band mate and friend David Miller asked me to check out his BAT and make a review video, so I did (with some classic tunes thrown in).

Mouthpiece: Sidey Stainless Helleberg (first batch)

[bort2.0]

Dependent 5th valve quickly identifies this as being the same horn as the BMB J-865. Looks like Melhart has mechanical linkage for the 5th valve though. Maybe other changes too?

The BMB 6/4 CC had some high praise on the forums when it first came out, not many other lower-priced 6/4 options. existed at the time. I'm guessing, but don't know for sure, that "BMB" tubas aren't sold anymore, and they can still make them to order with whatever you want on the bell.

I guess inflation changes things some, but the cost of the BMB was about half of what the Melhart costs. Perhaps there are other differences and adjustments besides mechanical linkages ... But I hope your friend didn't pay the "our price" (not the retail price) listed on the internet.

I tried one about 8 years ago. I remember the pistons were really super smooth. Otherwise, it was one of the very few 6/4 tubas I've played, so naturally I wasnt acclimated to it or how it needed to be played to sound it's best.

You, on the other hand, sounded great on that tuba! Nice clean playing all around, didn't seem like the tuba was holding you back.:)

[LargeTuba]

Let’s be clear here, the Melhart tuba is still marked up about 3.5x what it costs to get one to the United States. It could be a lot more reasonably priced if they wanted.

Good review though, Really great playing?

I do wonder what the BmB tuba was copied from. I know Holton, but they don’t look like a Holton.

[the elephant]

Good review, Bill.

[bloke]

sort of a slightly hardware-upgraded BMB...(??)

[bort2.0]

Previous discussion...

viewtopic.php?t=1514&hilit=Melhart

[hrender]

I do wonder what the BmB tuba was copied from. I know Holton, but they don’t look like a Holton.

Dick Barth's blog is still up and available although he doesn't post there anymore. A lot of his ideas regarding the BMB horns are recorded there. EDIT: Never mind, turns out a lot of the linked older stuff is gone.

[bort2.0]

I do wonder what the BmB tuba was copied from. I know Holton, but they don’t look like a Holton.

Dick Barth's blog is still up and available although he doesn't post there anymore. A lot of his ideas regarding the BMB horns are recorded there. EDIT: Never mind, turns out a lot of the linked older stuff is gone.

You really have to be careful on that website.. the comments section has gotten polluted with lots and lots of spammer links and stuff that you could accidentally bump and click on. I took a look at it yesterday, and I was like no way I'm out of here.

[kingrob76]

Gil Corella has one of the BMB versions of this collecting tarnish in his basement. It is indeed based on the Holton. It's not a bad horn, and I thought the BMB pricing appropriately reflected it's value. It wasn't what *I* look for in a 6/4 CC but I would have no qualms borrowing and using it were that a thing I needed to do.

[bloke]

I always enjoy your videos, Bill…
…but they make me miss visiting with you.

[Doc]

I always enjoy your videos, Bill…
…but they make me miss visiting with you.

I hope we can arrange a visit before the end of the year.