market

[DaTubaKid]

Obviously, whatever horn Carol Jantsch is playing will rise in price, making it seem like the prices on all other horns are going down.

[Rick Denney]

In your opinion, are there any brand new models of tubas (released within the last year or so) that play so well that they will lower the resale value of other recently-released (within the last five years or so) models of tubas?

Maybe not in the last year.

But it has happened many times. The Conn 52J made the Getzen G50 a little less hot. The Miraphone 1291 edged a few competitors out for a little while. The new-style King 2341 has significantly reduced the resale value of the VMI 3301. I'm sure the Gronitz PCK, with the boost provided by Mr. Baer's successful audition run, did its part to depress resale prices on other Yorkophones.

Of course, it doesn't make those other instruments work any less well than they did before, so the loss of resale value only hurts those who are compelled to sell and buy something new. And dealers have to be careful, but that's always been true.

When people buy on the basis of heat instead of buying what works for them, they make themselves vulnerable to the vicissitudes of the market.

The trick is to buy tubas with lasting value but that are not currently "hot", if you care about resale value.

Rick "whose tubas are worth at least what was paid for them" Denney

[WoodSheddin]

Not this year. I think it started when Meinl Weston introduced the 2165 which was considerably less expensive than the other 6/4 CC tuba of the time. It continues today with the Miraphone and Meinl Weston F tubas putting pressure on the more expensive B&S stuff.

But not when it comes to searching for the silver bullet that will win the audition without you even in the room, or getting sick of buying and reselling over and over lesser horns when you know what you REALLY like. The top end horns will continue to push into the obscene price ranges as long as people are willing.

BTW, this brings up a pet pieve of mine. Don't try to justify a $30,000 tuba price by comparing it to a violin or bassoon. Apples are not oranges even if they are both fruits.

I would consider buying a $30,000 tuba if it was perfectly in tune, effortless to play, ergonomically delightful to hold, AND had the sound throughout its range which I have in my head. Since I do not make a living playing the tuba, it would also have to usable in nearly all playing situations to justify its extreme cost.

[Chuck(G)]

Good point, Joe!

In particular, why someone who spends most of their in-vehicle time stuck in 30- MPH traffic jams on dead-level roads would buy a car with a 300+ HP engine defies logic. Yet it happens all of the time--because people fall into the pit of confusing who they are with what they own. The idea being that somehow having a very expensive item will make them more appealing or do wonders for their self-esteem.

As it goes with cars, so it also goes with houses, tubas, wine and electronics gear. There's a tendency to fall into the trap of saying "what will people think of me (and what will I think of myself) if I own..." instead of "will this do the job for me".

A flute teacher here once told me that she sometimes has new students showing up with instruments that surpass the price of the Yamayork. She said that in general, these are the students who practice the least.

[Chuck(G)]

I'll agree on the vehicles and tubas, but wine? OK, maybe you can find a nice $20 bottle as opposed to a $200 bottle. What about beer? I don't like domestic beers, save for a couple. Of course, I don't need them, but when I have some, it WILL be what I like. If I continue to indulge in select German imports, am I going to Hell?

Boy, wouldn't you know that I'd get attacked for wine and not tubas.

I humbly submit that most folks couldn't tell a positive difference between a good $20 bottle of wine and a $500 one--and might actually prefer the $20 one.

I will readily confess to having a strong preference for real beer (particularly stouts and porters) over what passes for beer on the mass market--and I purchase accordingly. Fortunately, there's not the wide price range on beer that there is on wine. But I can tell the difference between Bud and Eight Ball stout with my eyes open or closed.

As far as Hell, well, if that gets you through the day, it's fine by me--whatever floats your boat.

[Chuck(G)]

..there is one edible product for which I pay TEN TIMES the amount of the cost of any substitutes. This product is called butter.

Must be a local thing. Out here, oleomargarine is sometimes more expensive than butter.

[windshieldbug]

My wife can drive my car

That's funny; my wife can hammer on my tuba (but doesn't, often; does that make her a "gentlewoman"?)

[cjk]

PCK is done. Two or more high profile players now have decided that they are no longer completely satisfied with them (one has had their's for sale for a couple months now w/o a sale).

One of those two was a rep for another marque when he bought the Gronitz and bought it anyway. He has evidently moved onto another marque which actually does make 6/4 tubas, probably a good deal for him.

The second of those two also has a Yamayork which I'm sure he feels is a better instrument.

I'd hardly say that means the PCK is done.

[tubamirum]

Does anyone have some Lambrusco?

[anonymous4]

The second of those two also has a Yamayork which I'm sure he feels is a better instrument.

The person you are refering to in the above statement just bought a "Thor" from Brasswind. I'd say the latest fad has arrived.

[windshieldbug]

... and I predict that there will be even less YamaYorks sold next year than our distinguished leader's approval rating

[cjk]

In your opinion, are there any brand new models of tubas (released within the last year or so) that play so well that they will lower the resale value of other recently-released (within the last five years or so) models of tubas?

If you believe so, please offer specific examples.

While not a tuba, acquisition of new models of such devices pictured below will drastically reduce the resale value of the Miraphone 1291 CC.

[windshieldbug]

... if you do not have the following optional equipment to apply to it...

[Tubaryan12]

In your opinion, are there any brand new models of tubas (released within the last year or so) that play so well that they will lower the resale value of other recently-released (within the last five years or so) models of tubas?

If you believe so, please offer specific examples.

While not a tuba, acquisition of new models of such devices pictured below will drastically reduce the resale value of the Miraphone 1291 CC.

That's harsh