buying a tuba overseas

[TubaRay]

This sounds as if it might be a topic of general interest to many of us. Please share any information on the open forum.

[tubiker]

This works two ways..............

I went to the U S of A from the UK and came home with a Meinl 2145 from Baltimore Brass - bear in mind before you consider a trip to Europe the basic economic fact - the size of the American market in Tuba's is huge as compared to the whole of Europe - thus you have the economies of size - because of the volume of sales you would probably get a better deal buying stateside(and almost certainly you would have better choice).

In my case, even shipping the beastie with ups and thus getting clobbered for 20% duty plus shipping, it was on balance for me a better deal than getting in my car and driving halfway across Western Europe to pick up a single horn.

As for shipping - I flew with United to and from Chicago and was told before I left the UK that I would probably not be able to get the hooter on the plane as oversized luggage as this is a discretionary thing and that when I was flying the flights were full (week before Christmas) - but I could book it as cargo (no thanks...... a 4 hour wait in pick up). And, the weight allowance for Transatlanic flights has been reduced (at least on United) - I was told at O'Hare that it was only because I had booked before a specified date that I had 32kg's per item, otherwise some of my luggage would have been bumped off. However........ I heard of a guy who flew in and out during off peak and had no problems.

If you are still up for buying this side of the pond, all you need is a credit card to buy from most of the dealers and then either they ship for you or you walk out of the shop Tuba under arm.

Can of worms..........



Andrew Murray

[LARSONTUBA]

in 2000, before 9/11 and all the increased security at airports and what not, a colleague of mine bought a Hirsbrunner tuba in Europe. I'm not sure exactly where he bought it from, but he got the measurements for the horn and had a custom flight case made for it. He left the USA with an empty case, arrived in Europe, picked up the horn, turned around and flew back to the USA with a tuba in his case. Customs asked him what he had done in Europe and he claimed he was on his way back from a gig. Total time of the trip was probably 3 days.

If you can find a horn that is cheap enough for this method to save you money, I say go for it and have a vacation out of it. Take an extra day and go on a tour of Switzerland or Germany or something.