Lechgold FC-18/5L Cimbasso

I bought the cimbasso as a kind of - albeit expensive - gag, because the conductor said that the cimbasso was actually better than the tuba for the Verdi evening. As these instruments from other suppliers are the equivalent of a small car (Melton, Thein Brass etc.) and are not really available, I was stuck with Kirstein and the instrument offered here, which seems to offer excellent value for money. I bought it online, because it should be clear within 30 days whether it is any good or not: you can return it within this period without any problems.

So here it is.

The case is great and not heavy (I can't say how long the zippers will last, they don't seem trustworthy), the instrument is well stored in it. The finish is not objectionable. The sound is, well, cimbasso. Those who are used to tubas will be startled or surprised, but once you have got used to it, it enchants with a sonorous and carrying sound. The response is relatively easy, sometimes you have to be careful that the sound doesn't break out at fortissimo, but otherwise everything is fine. The handmade ones on YouTube sound better, but are not available at this price ;-).

What bothers me? The cables are brutally stiff. It took a lot of trial and error with lubricants until the tuning slide could be operated comfortably with one hand. If Kirstein were to carry out the promised quality control, they could pay a little more attention to this. The pin is too short for me, I'm just very tall and sit high, so my instrument maker will have to look for a solution. Or you could put a book or something underneath it.

A mouthpiece is included, but the bore is too narrow for my taste. I play it with a Perantucci PT-64, which fits perfectly (for me).

My personal conclusion: if you want or have to have a cimbasso, you can't go wrong for the price