Buying a Tuba, ordering V. Going to the store

adam0408 · Post by **adam0408** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 9:16 pm

I am weighing my options on buying a tuba. I have settled on the miraphone 1291 (yeah I know, just like everybody else, but I have done my homework) but I cant decide wether I should order one or go to a store and try one out before I buy it. I already know I like the 1291 because I have played a couple. My problem is that my local music store will charge me 9200 for it which is ridiculous, and no other (larger) stores in my area seem to be able to even order miraphones. My best bet seems to be wwbw at this time.

I live in Minnesota. WWBW is in South Bend IN, as you all know. Its about a 10 hour drive.Thats definately a con.

Other cons of driving:

price: with case and shipping: 6457
at the store, with case and sales tax: 6686, plus whatever I spend on gas

Cons of shipping:

Wont get to try it out first
possible damage in transit

So what do you people think? Is it worth the risk to ship it instead of driving? I am most worried about getting a real dud. Do my monetary savings outweigh the fact that I dont get to try it out first? I am torn!

does anyone know of any other options that I have not yet thought of?

Mark · Post by **Mark** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 9:22 pm

adam0408 wrote:My best bet seems to be wwbw at this time.

Obviously, it's better to go to WWBW -- if you can. However, I would be willing to let Roger Lewis select a tuba for me. Actually, I have let Roger Lewis select a tuba for me.

If WWBW still has a reasonable return policy, it won't hurt much to try.

tubafour · Post by **tubafour** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 11:39 pm

I had a minor problem with having a horn shipped, but it had to be a rare thing.

I bought it from Tuba Exchange, and when they shipped it, their shipping manager put the wrong first digit in my zip code, which was the difference between Portland, Oregon, and NE TN.

I was furious when my horn went from Durham to Portland without even stopping by. Those were the longest 3 weeks of my life. I ended up having to find the phone number for the specific FedEx depot where my horn was, calling them, and having the lady personally find it and change that zip code. The box, as you can imagine, was pretty beat up by the time it got here, but the case and horn were perfect.

So, if you have it shipped (which I would do again. C'mon, it couldn't really happen twice, right?), double check before they ship it that all the shipping information is correct. Then, have them check it again. Have Vince check it for you. Take your mother, and have her check it. I don't care who checks it, but please, do have it checked about a half-million times.

I think that experience has emotionally scarred me for life.

Alex Reeder · Post by **Alex Reeder** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 11:54 pm

You should definately try out the tubas if you can by going to WWBW, but if you want to save the tax money and are willing to wait a little while for your horn you can still have them ship it to you after you pick it out. Just because you are going to the store doesn't necessarily mean you lose the option of sneaking by the tax laws.

adam0408 · Post by **adam0408** » Sat Mar 19, 2005 6:29 am

that sounds like an awful experience, tubafour. I hope really that doesnt happen to me. This decision wouldnt be nearly as hard if South Bend werent so dang far away!!

total time: 10 hrs 35 min Total distance: 653.03 mi

Mom, Dad, you mind if I borrow your car for a few minutes?

Tubaryan12 · Post by **Tubaryan12** » Sat Mar 19, 2005 10:37 am

Yes, it's a pain....but go to the store. Its a weekend (leave on Friday night) trip. Its a small price to pay for the peace of mind you will get not having to worry did you get the best horn for YOU that day. Besides, you'll gain knowledge that you could never get from the FedEx guy

rascaljim · Post by **rascaljim** » Sat Mar 19, 2005 1:51 pm

you know... south bend has an airport... the money that you would save by going down there instead of getting it from your music store would more than cover the round trip.
Jim

Dan Schultz · Post by **Dan Schultz** » Sat Mar 19, 2005 2:51 pm

rascaljim wrote:you know... south bend has an airport... the money that you would save by going down there instead of getting it from your music store would more than cover the round trip.
Jim

Yeah... but then you would have to trust your new tuba to the airport gorillas unless you want to spring another couple of hundred bucks for a seat.

Here's the plan...

Take a vacation day and leave late Thursday afternoon. Split your drive into two days... so you can arrive at WWBW before Noon on Friday.... refreshed and ready to play the heck out of a bunch of horns. Spend all afternoon/evening Friday and go back Saturday morning for some more experimenting. Guaranteed... Roger Lewis will find some time for you. Pick out your horn and head back late Saturday afternoon/evening. Finish the drive on Sunday and arrive back at home refreshed.

TIP... Budget will rent you a Ford Focus station wagon for the weekend rate of $29.95 a day with unlimited mileage. Take a friend/wife and enjoy a couple of nights in a hotel and some descent meals. Make the trip an enjoyable weekend. It will be money well-spent.

Randy Beschorner · Post by **Randy Beschorner** » Sat Mar 19, 2005 4:04 pm

TubaTinker has a great idea. Experiencing the tuba room at WWBW is a definite plus, plus WWBW has the resources for you to try other tubas in case reality doesn't meet spec driven expectations.

Call Roger and make and appointment so you can get the adequate time there. That way he can plan ahead and have horns pulled from inventory.

On the two day trip, check the web site for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra to see if there's anything going on worth listening to at the end of Day 1. I just got a copy of their new concert season and saw some excellent Mahler and Bruckner listed.

Hope you enjoy the experience and have Doc's reaction to his 1291

Randy

adam0408 · Post by **adam0408** » Sat Mar 19, 2005 4:19 pm

Doc wrote:
All you have is a ten hour drive. Don't complain. If I drove, it would take me 8 hours just to get out of Texas. 10 hours to Okla. City. I'll fly. You?Save gas and hotel $$$ and go. Rent a car if your hooptie won't make it. You might find something you like better than the 1291. Saving money sucks, but you'll be glad you did.

Doc

Yeah, I really can't complain too much, and I know what a pain it can be getting out of texas. A bunch of my friends and I DROVE to S. Padre last year for spring break. Now that was a drive that makes me complaining about this one look like I'm a baby.

Thanks for all the help guys, I really appreciate your input. Now it comes down to my parents lending me a car that works and kidnapping someone and making them come with me.

Oh and I might have a free place to stay in Chicago! That would make things a lot more nice.

Mark · Post by **Mark** » Sun Mar 20, 2005 11:25 am

rascaljim wrote:you know... south bend has an airport... the money that you would save by going down there instead of getting it from your music store would more than cover the round trip.
Jim

You may find it is cheaper to fly to Chicago, rent a car and drive to South Bend.

TubeNet

Buying a Tuba, ordering V. Going to the store

Buying a Tuba, ordering V. Going to the store

Re: Buying a Tuba, ordering V. Going to the store

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