19.01.06 Update! (March 16th, 2006)

The new orchestral CC-Tuba 6450 "BAER"

was developed together with Alan Baer, the Tubist with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra.

Mr. Baer needed a large orchestral CC-Tuba that would exhibit the flexibility to create an immense amount of sound without sacrificing core or clarity. While on tour with the New York Philharmonic, Meinl-Weston brought Mr. Baer's ideas to reality and created this new model together with him.

Here are some more technical details:

6450 "Baer"
6/4 size
model Alan Baer
4 piston steel valves (big valve)
Bore: .748in (4th valve slide conical: .787in)
5th rotary valve (.846in, thumb activated, on the wide side of the tuning slide)
Height: 37.2in
Bell diameter: 18.89in

more CC-Tubas

The new CC-Tuba 6450 "Baer" will be available from Summer 2006 (ITEC 2006!)

Outlook:
The 6450 "Baer" will also be produced in a light handmade version (6450/2) that follows the concept of our famous BBb-Tuba model 195/2 "Fafner" which can be heard with prestigious ensembles such as the Vienna Philharmonic, The World Peace Orchestra, or the London Symphony, just to name a few.

Four days later Alan Baer is already "testdriving" the prototype 6450 "Baer" in a rehearsal prior to the Munich concert. Playing the rehearsal and a concert with the New York Philharmonic as part of the testing demonstrated an excellent intonation and foundation for the brass section to ride upon.

Alan Baer:
"At this point in my career, I discovered there was no tuba available to meet all my musical needs. With the "Baer" we have designed and created an instrument that meets and exceeds all my demands and expectations."

Update:

The 6450 "BAER" has landed in the U.S.! Alan Baer's new CC-Tuba 6450 made its debut on March 16th, 2006 in New York City with the New York Philharmonic in Avery Fisher Hall.

A Broadcast of thie concert is available on the Website of the New York Philharmonic: Listen to the full concert (available from Wed, Mar 29 - Wed, Apr 12, 2006; latest Real Player required)