What is your instrument history?

[DonShirer]

So many years...so many memories...
Elementary and Middle School:Bb trumpet (Dads silver Conn)
High School:Bb trumpet, Double Bell Euphonium, Eb Helicon (Dad almost disowned me!)
College: BBb tuba, BBb Sousaphone, Various percussion instruments in orchestra
1952-82: Too busy with work and theatre for band work
1986-1992: Windbreaker, Slide Windbreaker, Slide Whistle, Shower Hose, Kazoo,
             Krummhorn, Recorder etc (accompanying choral groups)
1992-2002: Yamaha 321S Eb tuba (retired and joined a band)
2002-present: Meinl-Weston 2141 Eb tuba

[bearphonium]

My two cents...

Grades 5 and 6: School owned tenor trombone
Grades 7-12: Holton tenor trombone for band
Grade 11 and 12: A very old bass trombone for orchestra
Grade 12: A very old 3 valve Eflat upright that I loved
1st quarter in college: Holton tenor trombone
Next 5 years in college: Old school owned, beautiful double french horn.
1st quarter after college: Old upright, bell front, beat up, three valve BB flat.
Last month: New, knock off Euphonium to play with
Eyes on: Yamaha or Bach 4 valve Euphonium
Time span between college and now: 25 years

Time for an update:
2007: fpoon's Yorkmaster 3 valve bell front tuba
2007: borrowed King sousaphone
2008: Conn 19 I 4 valve non-comp euph
2009: VMI 201, 4 valve upright 3/4 tuba
2011: 1962 King sousaphone from tuba meister Jim Newell
2015: borrowed (long term) Miraphone 186.

Fun resurrection of a thread...

[lmhs1970]

1993-1998 Yamaha student trumpet-now my mother's outdoor/bad weather horn
1998-2001 A variety of Euphoniums on loan from my high school, including a 3/4 Getzen with leaky mechanical water keys, an early fifties Getzen without a second valve slide (previous player lost it), and an Olds Ambassador
1999-2001 A high school owned King 2B tenor trombone mid seventies, killed in a horrible marching accident
1999-2002 A variety of Fiberglass Sousaphones in varying states of repair
2001-present A silver Conn 100H trombone-ultra responsive, but a high maintenance slide presently with Schilke 50 and/or Bach 5GS Megatone
2001-present A silver Elkhart euphonium (vintage) Bach 6 1/2 AL
2001-2002 A Yamaha intermediate model bass trombone (school owned)
2002-2003 A university owned 4 valve Yamaha Euphonium (small shank) I sounded awful on this horn
2002-2003 A university owned 4 valve Yamaha Tuba BBb (the base model, using the stock mouthpiece) I sounded so bad on this I was advised to give up valved low brass and go to trombone fully
2003-present A Bach Strad 36BO Tenor trombone (my main horn for most of this time) presently with Schilke 50 and/or Bach 5GS Megatone
2004-2014 A terrible Cousnon Eb 3v Recording Bell (bought for $200 with the mouthpiece receiver modified for bass trombone mouthpieces. (I thought a bass trombone mouthpiece was a poor choice for a trombone. I had it replaced, badly, with a new receiver for standard tuba mouthpieces to use a Helleberg) This horn had so many air leaks and such a limited range with 3V that it was a foolish purchase, sold for $50. The only horn I've ever parted with.
2004-2014 Whatever loaner tuba I was handed when the regular tuba player in whatever group I was with couldn't show. (the term utility low brass was used more than once)
2015-present 6/4 Bell Up/Valve Front 4V Conn with the Helleberg

From 2002-2004 I was seriously attempting to become a music ed major, first on euphonium and then on trombone. As I wiped out on the first barrier for the second time the tuba professor (different from the first person to suggest I give it up) commented that it was a pity I had failed because if I'd made tuba my primary I'd have a chance of getting through. I have never been so happy about failing something in my life. Getting through a music program just because of a shortage on my instrument would have been unfair to my future students.

I juggled my major to history. Seeking to be a history teacher who taught the occasional novel. I turned enthusiastic amateur playing, seeking to be a trombone player who occasionally played tuba.

I am now an English teacher who teaches the occasional history lesson, and a tuba player who picks up the trombone occasionally. So close to what I wanted a decade ago and yet not. At least I couldn't be happier.

[hduong]

Tubas

Jr High - Yamaha 103, Besson 3v horn I don't remember the model
High School - Yamaha 641, Yamaha 201MS
College - PT-6p, PT-10p, Kanstul 900, Wisemann 900
Drum Corps - Kanstul Grande Contra, Yamaha 202MS, System Blue SB50, King 1151

Trombones

Jr High - Yamaha Single rotor bass
High School - Conn 88H, Conn 72H, Holton TR181
College - Conn 72H, Conn 72H w/ 2nd valve added, Bach 503KL, Kanstul 1585T

[edsel585960]

Grade school Yamaha YBB-???, high school Miraphone 4 valve and Conn sousaphone (not sure of the models). Took a 20 year break from playing. Have had Conn 14 J, Amati Kraslice ABB203, Yamaha 105 and Olds 991 that I have sold. Currently have Conn 20, 22 and 25J's, an Olds 991 combat tuba and a nice 991 too. Also have a 26K sousaphone.

[TubaPresident]

6th-7th Grade - BBb Jupiter 378L 3/4 (3-valve, 3/4)
8th Grade - BBb King UNKNOWN MODEL (3-valve, 4/4 but very close to a 5/4)
9th-10th Grade BBb Accent TU952R (compensating 4-valve, 4/4)
11th Grade - BBb Mirafone 186 4-U (1969)
9th-11th Grade - BBb Yamaha YBB-201M (3-valve, 4/4)

[Davidus1]

Jr. High/High School
Conn (small 3/4, don't remember model)
Miraphone top action piston 3/4 model, recording bell (removable)
King fiberglass sousaphone

Professional
King 2341 (BBb)((old style)
Miraphone 186 (BBb)(several)
Meinl-Weston 25 (BBb)((fantastic old horn!)
Various Conn and King Sousaphones
Cerveny Piggy (CC)
Yamaha 381 (Eb)
Cerveny 693 (BBb) (gigantic horn!)
VMI 3302 (BBb)

Current (after 17 year hiatus)
Mack Brass 200S (BBb)
Mack Brass Euphonium
Conn 15I Euphonium

Trombones/Bass Trombones
Various models over the years: Bach, Holton, Olds, Yamaha

[Douglas]

Elementary School: Bundy trombone
Middle School: Jupiter 3/4 BBb Tuba, St. Petersburg 201N BBb, Fiberglass King Sousaphone
High School: Jupiter 4/4 BBb Tuba, Miraphone 186-5U BBb, Conn 56J, VMI Neptune(rotary), Karl Ziess F Tuba, Jupiter Sousaphone
Undergrad:VMI Neptune(rotary), PT6, Karl Ziess F Tuba, Miraphone 181(pre Bel Canto) F Tuba, Yamaha 621 F, Yamaha 822S F, Jim Bao Euphonium, Conn Sousaphone
Grad: PT6P, HB2P, Yamaha 822S F, PT15S, Jim Bao Euphonium, Mack Brass Travel F, Unmarked Chinese Bass Trombone
D.M.A.: HB2P, PT6S, PT15S, Besson Imperial Euphonium, Jim Bao Euphonium, Mack Brass Cimbasso, Tuba Exchange 410, Holton Bass Trombone, Bach 42 Tenor Trombone

Current Stable: PT6S, PT15S, Tuba Exchange 410, Mack Brass Cimbasso, Besson Imperial Euphonium, Bach 42 Tenor Trombone

[gudge07]

Middle School:
-King 606
-Conn 5J
-King 2341

High School:
-Yamaha 641
-Conn 20K
-King 2350

College:
-Conn 54J
-Willson 3400

Current Stable:
-VMI Neptune
-Alexander 173
-Willson 3400
-Conn 36K
-Tuba Exchange 2052

[bort]

Middle School -- Bundy trumpet
9th/10th Grade -- some sort of 3 valve BBb. The 3rd valve stem was busted off, so I had to hold it in place and "be real careful" (yup, that's how I learned to play tuba)
11th/12th grade -- Yamaha 105 (marching) and 201 (band)


College:
Olds 99 (the first tuba I owned)
B&S/Sanders PT-3 (school owned, nice tuba)
Conn 20K (game day horn)
Conn ?? Naked Lady (practice horn, old, ugly, and much better than the 20K!

After college:
VMI 4-valve CC (basically an MW-30)
Miraphone 1291 CC (w/1292 leadpipe)
Cerveny 653
Marzan CC
Miraphone 188

Whoa... I've been playing tuba for almost 20 years now?

Additions to the bottom of the list:

Rudolf Meinl 4/4 CC
VMI Neptune
Willson 3050RZ

[TubaZac2012]

This should be fun to remember.
Middle School(7th-9th grade)- King 1241 three valve recording bell still one of my favorite horns I've played, Yamaha Sousaphone, and then I sometimes toyed with a Getzen three valve Euph.
High School(10th-12th)- Miraphone 1291 CC, nice Jupiter bass for jazz band, a Conn 20K Sousaphone one of the new models humina humina, and sometimes a 24J whenever I didn't want to play my personal Miraphone.
College and up until now- Willson 3050, PT-18P MRPF, Mack Brass 410, York 91, oh and whenever I was in marching band at school I marched with a Conn 20J. An old one my first year and then a newer one my second year.

[apsapienza]

Miraphone 191 BBb
Besson 995 CC
Miraphone Firebird 5+1 F
B&S PT-6P
B&S MRP F
B&S MPR CC
Adams Solo F Piston

The last two horns are my current set up

[tclements]

4th grade - King Eb sousaphone
5th grade - Conn Plastic BBb sousaphone
7th & 8th grade - Conn 3 banger, short action bell up (don't know the number)
9-11th grade - Reynolds Contempora, 4 valve bell front
12th grade through 1975 - Meinl-Weston Bill Bell Model
At CSU Northridge, switched to Mirafones: 186-5UCC - 183-4U Eb - 184-5U CC - Yamaha YEP 321S euph
With San Jose Symphony: 184-5U CC, 188-5U CC, Hirsbrunner HB2P, Rudy Meinl 5/4 CC & a whole SERIES of F tubas, MOSTLY Mirafones & Alexanders
Currently, CC's: Nirschl York, MW Tuono, Hirsbrunner HB2. F's: MW 2260RA, Yamaha 822S & 621S, Hirsbrunner HBS389, Gronitz FZ-127

[tubamonster]

Prior to 6th grade: whatever the predecessor to the YBB103 was
6th grade: YBB 103
7th, 8th, 9th grade: YBB 641-different one every year
Occasionally used a fiberglass Bundy Sousaphone in 7th and 8th grade
10th, 11th, 12th grade: Miraphone 191student model
Often borrowed various Miraphone 186's when my 191 was broken or for jazz band

College
Freshman year: YBB 321 then a Miraphone 187

I also used a King 2350 in high school and through my first semester of my junior year in college

And finally, the first tuba I actually owned and currently have: Miraphone 191 5 valve

[mikalengen]

The wandering years:
1984-1987: Yamaha Electone electric home organ

1987-1988: Yamaha e-flat tenor horn

1988-1989: "God knows what type" Mellophone (the version wich looks like a right handed, piston valved french horn and has a convenient part of tubing for changing between e-flat and f tuning.)


The tuba years
1989-1993: Yamaha YEB 321 (School band)

1993-2001: Besson Sovereign 981 (Primary horn for wind band, brass band, quintet, first three years of college. Still owns it but very little used)

2000-2006: R. Meinl 4/4 CC (Primary C-tuba for studies and military band work, Still owns it but now demoted to practice-at-home-horn.)

2001-present: Melton 45 SLZ f-tuba (Primary tuba for solo, quintet and old style wind band first tuba parts)

2006-Present: Meinl-Weston 2000 CC (Primary tuba for wind band and symphonic work.)

2004-2010: B&S 4/4 CC (For outdoors and marching)

2011-present: Rudolph Meinl 3/4 CC (For marching)

2005-present: Yamaha 862 F-tuba (Secondary horn for quintet work)

For the record: The Meinl 3/4, Yamaha F and Meinl Weston CC are owned by the military band I work for.

[Matt G]

Resurrection for smileatom.

I’ll put acquisition years only. I don’t remember when I sold them...

1991: Mirafone 186-4U BBb
1994: Yamaha YCB-822S
1996: Mirafone 188-5U
1996: Yamaha YFB-621S
1998: Miraphone TE 186-5U CC (was on loan to me)
1999: VMI Mel Culbertson Neptune - Piston
2001: Meinl-Weston 32 CC
2001: York stencil Eb
2002: Holton/Mirafone 6/4 frankenhorn Chuck Guzis put together
2003: Besson 994

...sold everything off by 2007...

-hiatus-

2019: Conn/King Dillon CC built by Matt Walters
2020: MW 2165

[anotherjtm2]

Resurrection for smileatom. ...

That's so thoughtful

[RyanSchultz]

JR High
various piston valve BBbs including the upright Yamahas

HS
rotary Meinl-Weston BBb
Bach Bass Trombone

Lawrence
bought PT3 CC
bought 1st F -- rotary Rudolf Meinl

West Coast (I Corps, WA) Army Band
PT3
their Miraphone BBb
their King BBb Sousaphone
their Yamaha Euphonium
their Bach and Edwards Bass Trombones

Orchestra Auditions
PT3/later PT6p
Meinl-Weston 45SLP

Freelancing, recording, Seattle Symphony and Opera and at my jobs until circa 2010
PT6p
Yamaha Bass Trombone (freelance orchestras)
Yamaha 621 F

Currently (used at Auburn Symphony and Pacific NW Ballet Orchestra. . .)
Meinl-Weston CC 3450 ("Sassy")
customized Miraphone F Petruschka

I also play a Yamaha (student model) Euphonium and a Bach Bass Trombone (in lessons only these days).

[CaptainNemo]

5th-6th grade: Yamaha Euph 3v
7th-9th grade: Yamaha 321 4v BBb
10-12th grade: Yamaha BBb/F/D bass trombone + King BBb sousaphone
10-11th: Yamaha 621 BBb
11th-present: King 4Bf Bb/F trombone
12-present (undergrad): Miraphone 188 5v
8th-present: Conn Director model Cornet and Trumpet (1960s-ish)

[kathott]

• INSTRUMENT USAGE TIMELINE •

Middle School
2X B&H Eb Imperial (3 valve & 4 valve); Conn "Naked Lady" Eb Sousaphone

High School
Boosey BBb "Solbron" circa 1922; Mirafone CC-186

College
Mirafone 186-BBb

(fast forward past 35+ years worth of horns bought and sold)

Instruments used on extended loan periods: Alexander BBb (Peru);
Hirsbrunner CC-4 valve/mid 1970's prototype; Yamaha Eb-YEB 321S; Holton 345 BBb;
Mirafone BBb contrabass trombone

Current Professional Use
CC Mirafone 186 (mid 60's, still tickin'); CC Mirafone 188, circa 2011;
Yamaha 621 “F”; F Meinl Weston "Trolley Tuba" with plug & play fifth valve;     
EEb Besson 981 (mid 1980's); B&H Eb Imperial (1970’s)
BBb Besson 225 "Recording Bell" (mid 1970’s); B&H Euphonium "New Standard"

Instruments I must have before I leave this Earth: Holton 345 BBb; Alexander CC;
B&H F tuba (1960's); Bach Mount Vernon bass trumpet