MOST EXPENSIVE TUBA EVER?

[ubq]

Any ideas? Just curious!

Thanks

[Steve Oberheu]

These are close:

http://www.thein-brass.de/index_en.php

[pwhitaker]

Silver-plated 6/4 Rudolph Meinl BBb 5-valve model with 2nd valve slide trigger. My horn if I hit the lottery.

[tubacrow]

Yamaha has a CC York copy that costs 30,000

[Dan Schultz]

These are close:

http://www.thein-brass.de/index_en.php

It's interesting that they publish both the European prices and the export prices.

[Roger Lewis]

the most expensive tubas ever purchased might have been those belonging to Arnold Jacobs, that were purchased by the Chicago Symphony after his passing.

Peace
Roger

[kingrob76]

These are close:

http://www.thein-brass.de/index_en.php

And as of 4/1/08, their Euro price converts to $37,166.66 USD.

[UDELBR]

These are close:

http://www.thein-brass.de/index_en.php

It's interesting that they publish both the European prices and the export prices.

That's to account for the European Value Added Tax, which ranges anywhere from 15 to 25%.

It's the high price of socialism.

[The Big Ben]

Yamaha has a CC York copy that costs 30,000

*If* they let you buy one...

[eupher61]

Not a production model, but the Hoffnung/Paxman CCC/BBBb was most likely more than that, at least considering inflation. Probably was in subsequent resales, too.

[Mark]

I believe that I may own the most expensive tuba ever. That is if some one is willing to buy my Miraphone 181, for the asking price of $2.3 million. I'll throw in the case for an additional $800. Shipping in the U.S will be approximately $250 extra.

[Tubaing]

I believe that I may own the most expensive tuba ever. That is if some one is willing to buy my Miraphone 181, for the asking price of $2.3 million. I'll throw in the case for an additional $800. Shipping in the U.S will be approximately $250 extra.

I can't afford the tuba or case, but can I still buy the shipping?

[Alex C]

"wir möchten nicht Tubas bilden"

Es ist nicht möglich, Geld in den Aufbau tubas ohnehin

[jon112780]

How do the Thein tubas play? I've only heard about them on TubeNet, and never actually seen one in real life...

[Rick Denney]

How do the Thein tubas play? I've only heard about them on TubeNet, and never actually seen one in real life...

My response, and yes it's a bit jaded: You'll never know. Those who spend that kind of scratch--in advance--for a tuba will do what it takes to persuade themselves that it's the best tuba ever made. If they aren't persuaded, then they'll keep quiet. Who wants to admit that big a mistake?

And if you don't spend it, the only way you'll play one is to borrow one from a current owner.

Lee Stofer owns a Thein bass trombone, and he extols its virtues with conviction. I would rate him an exception to my jaded comment above, but I would also state that Lee is able to make good use of instruments I can't figure out at all. He would have to be more representative of good tuba players than I am, heh, heh.

There are several orchestra pros in Europe who have them. I think I remember Klaus telling us that the tuba player in one of the Danish orchestras has one and is pleased with it.

Rick "suspecting that the Thein brothers are happy to sell only a couple of tubas a year" Denney

[MileMarkerZero]

How do the Thein tubas play? I've only heard about them on TubeNet, and never actually seen one in real life...

I've never seen one, but I became cognizant of them after hearing a recording of the Rotterdam Phil, Hendrik Jens Renes tubist. I couldn't tell you what the piece was with a gun to my head. All I remember is being blown away by this enormous, velvety, buttery tuba sound.

If just simply owning a Thein would make me sound like that, I'd sell a kidney to get one. Of course, given my past I'd be lucky to get $38K for one o' my kidneys...

Thein trivia: the 5th valve on their piston horns is also a piston valve.

[Liberty Mo]

I can speak to the bass trombones only.

I have played two Thein bass trombones, which seem to be much more "available" in the United States compared to their Tubas. The Ben van Dijk model was an independent Hagmann setup, quality of construction was perfect, sound was very nice, but the price was beyond crazy, I think it was $12k plus. I have seen a used model pop up from time for $7-8k. I also played a model with their own take on the traditional rotary valve which I believe they were calling a star valve. It wasn't as good as the Hagmann setup but again the build quality was excellent. The price was $10k plus.

Some of the best bass bones are being built in the US right now (Edwards, Shires, Greenhoe), not the case with Tubas. I bought a custom Edwards set up with installed valves direct from Rene Hagmann, which is fully interchangeable for 1/3 of the price a Thein, but I am not a world class player, so I would never have gotten my money's worth out of a Thein....but that Edwards is almost paid for in my mind!

Thein horns are hand made and fully custom to whatever your heart desires and your wallet can cover. But heck, you can buy a hand made car as well, but at some point the investment is so crazy, I'd be afraid to use it anywhere. I'm guessing a Thein tuba is likely a Rolls Royce in terms of quality and rarity. Not many exist, but the quality is second to none at price few will ever afford. Like Rick said, though if it was a dog, how would we ever know?

[OldsRecording]

"wir möchten nicht Tubas bilden"

Es ist nicht möglich, Geld in den Aufbau tubas ohnehin

Heutes Tubenet, Morgen, die Velt