Brad T. Posted January 22, 2016 Share Posted January 22, 2016 System Blue, the BD outreach program, has launched a line of marching brass independent from King. The horns were designed by Jack Meehan and includes a Traditional line and a Professional line. The traditional line appears to be cloned from the Yamaha line, while the professional line appears to be cloned from the King line, minus the mellophone and tuba, which look decidedly Dynasty, and the Sousaphone which looks like a Conn 20K with 4 valves. Aside from BD, Atlanta CV, Minnesota Brass, and Kidsgrove Scouts have all signed on to buy horns from the new System Blue line. It should be interesting how this will affect Yamaha and Jupiter's stranglehold on the activity. I would much prefer for Kanstul and King to get some better footing in the activity, but any competition is decent I suppose. From what I've heard, System Blue is being built in China. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad T. Posted January 22, 2016 Author Share Posted January 22, 2016 https://systemblue.org/brass/ This is the link. Guess I can't edit my post to add it in! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mingusmonk Posted January 22, 2016 Share Posted January 22, 2016 System Blue, the BD outreach program, Safe to say we can go beyond calling it an outreach program. Producing a full line of horns and drums with 4 brass customers out of the gate. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad T. Posted January 22, 2016 Author Share Posted January 22, 2016 Agreed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cainan Posted January 24, 2016 Share Posted January 24, 2016 I can say that the SB tubas are absolutely fantastic to play... Airflow through the horn is pretty much perfect and allows for players such as myself, who are not native to the tuba, to play a much larger range with relative ease. The balance on the horns is pretty much spot on as well, feeling very comfortable up on the shoulder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perc2100 Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 I wish I was more knowledgeable about brass manufacturing, AND had more time to grill System Blue about the brass (I'm a percussionist and I covered NAMM marching percussion stuff for a publication). I talked to the System Blue percussion guys quite a bit but not the brass guys. I was told the company was really at NAMM to roll out the brass, and from my ears the ensemble playing the brass instruments at the booth sounded real good. I can't talk engineering or details or whatnot, but exciting times if these horns are good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chasgroh Posted January 26, 2016 Share Posted January 26, 2016 I can say that the SB tubas are absolutely fantastic to play... Airflow through the horn is pretty much perfect and allows for players such as myself, who are not native to the tuba, to play a much larger range with relative ease. The balance on the horns is pretty much spot on as well, feeling very comfortable up on the shoulder. ...I played the tuba at NAMM and, whilst wearing my Kanstul credential (heh), thought it played nicely, although ergonomically the left side is a bit awkward (I'm sure that would be no problem after some getting-used-to)...so, all in all a good horn, and the weight is spot on. I think the Tama offering (Kanstul) has the best of it...but then...heh... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cainan Posted January 26, 2016 Share Posted January 26, 2016 The left side ergonomics were virtually unnoticeable after a couple hours of rehearsal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Detweiler Posted January 27, 2016 Share Posted January 27, 2016 We at CV received our horns earlier this month and can't wait to hear what they sound like at the next camp! Really exciting times for us! Dan 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrownBariDad Posted January 27, 2016 Share Posted January 27, 2016 We at CV received our horns earlier this month and can't wait to hear what they sound like at the next camp! Really exciting times for us! Dan Please report back with how they play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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