Age, Weight, Plastic, Brass

[MN_TimTuba]

I guess this is our quintessential old-man horn - viewtopic.php?f=4&t=94026" target="_blank
Looks to be a beauty, which of us will snap her up?

[jperry1466]

I agree and identify with all the comments and have even considered a move to a 3/4 CC horn, until I met this guy, the newest member of our community band and now the 4th member of our tuba quartet. He moved to an assisted living facility here from Phoenix where he played with a community band, dixieland band, and brass band. He is 88 years old and plays this 4/4 Orpheus tuba that he bought from a former member of the Coast Guard band. If I can even say the word "tuba" at 88 it'll be an accomplishment. He plays quite well, by the way. Compared to him we are all wimps.

[tbonesullivan]

Nice! Sadly, a 74 year old who I just started playing in a group with passed away this Friday. But he still managed to bring in his nice silver Mahillon top action tuba (Howard Johnson Style) in an MTS rolling case. Every week, never needed help, and never missed a rehearsal. Until now unfortunately.

So, keep playing as long as you can! RIP John Bilyk.

https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/north ... =194234010" target="_blank

[Leland]

A professional tuba player (who stood up and played a large percentage of the time) had such a bell made specifically (the best I can surmise) to alleviate a bit of weight. I believe I've noticed that same tuba player has retreated to using an (albeit: smaller) all-brass instrument.

Would that change have been because of availability, or because of evolving preferences?