[greatlakeswinds]

I got this mpc in the other day that is totally throwing me for a loop. It's the one in the center in the photo...Brilhart Personaline, made of hard rubber. As you can see, it is significantly shorter than the Tonalin tenor Personaline on the left, and longer than the Ebolin alto personaline on the right. Although it is closer in length to the alto piece, the inner shank diameter is essentially the same as the tenor. Likewise, the table width is also about the same as the tenor. It's just SO much shorter than the tenor though...94.4mm vs. 103.5mm. Furthermore, the difference in length is all in the 'body' of the piece...the shank and beak are the same lengths as on the tenor Tonalin Personaline. The length of the mid-section of the HR piece is actually shorter than that of the alto Personaline. Could this be a C melody piece? I've not ever heard of a Brilhart C melody piece, and I don't see one listed in the advertising copy on Theo's website either. Any thoughts?

 

[lydian]

I have what appears to be the exact same C melody piece. But I'm on the road and can't take measurements until next weekend. Unfortunately I know nothing about its history or origins other than the fact that it was in the case of the Conn NWII C melody horn I bought a while back, where it remains unplayed to this day. At the time I found a few others on ebay to get an idea of the resale value which turned out to be very low. Other than being an interesting museum piece, it has no practical or monetary value to me.

EDIT: Looks like my mouthpiece is different after all.

 

[bruce bailey]

It is an Alto. Look at the shank where it is a bit longer. HR Brilharts were quite different form the plastic ones.

 

[jejennings]

Just try a C-Melody reed on it! A true C-Melody reed is smaller than a tenor and larger than an alto.... No brainer!

 

[greatlakeswinds]

It is an Alto. Look at the shank where it is a bit longer. HR Brilharts were quite different form the plastic ones.

I don't think so...the table width matches a tenor reed, not alto. It has (presumably) been refaced, as it is a quite large tip opening...marked L6, but measures .110"!!! I suppose it is possible that in so doing the table was leveled down enough to widen it to that point, but I think it's rather unlikely. The other thing is that the shank opening is very close to that of the known personaline tenor, and I don't see any signs that it was bored out. The Tonalin Personaline (known tenor) is 17.15mm. The HR Personaline (mystery mpc) is 17.05mm. The Ebolin Personaline (known alto) is only 16.05mm.