TubeNet

The best is Dillon Music, a short and easy train ride away in New Jersey.
Peace.
ASG

I'd have a hard time agreeing with the last poster although I'm sure s/he means well. I've found no tuba stuff in the city lately, and, with a car, Dillons can be just as close to Brooklyn as mid town, depending on where you are in Brooklyn. There is an M&M dealer in Manhatten, and occasional used stuff here and there a great repair guy at Roberto's Woodwind and Brass on 46th (Grant Jordan), but I don't know of anything else.
Good Luck.
Peace.
ASG

Dillon

I remember about 15 years ago there was a guy way out in Rockaway Beach (not too far from Brooklyn/part of Brooklyn?) who had a used tuba business out of his house. I took the subway out there, and he must've had 15 or 20 horns for sale. Anybody know his name or if he's still in business?

Another place worth checking out is the Center for Musical Antiquities (I think it's called) in Manhattan (Upper East, if I recall). They are "by appointment" only and, years ago at least, had quite a few Civil War era tubas and even a couple of old serpents.

The guy way out in Rockaway Beach was Jack Nowinsky (may have spelled his name wrong), I don't know if he's still around or not. Great guy though, played great too. Kind of like a Sanford and Son setup he had. I had heard he'd moved around a bit although I can't imagine moving that stock of instruments he had. Hadn't thought about him in a long time. Nice memories. Wish I had bought a horn he was selling.......
Peace.
ASG

There was a piece of junk tuba in the window at Sam Ash for awhile. Probably a trade in. More than likely, a trip to Mannys, Sam Ash and Robertos will yield ZERO tubas.

Rod Baltimore, also on 48th, carries a wide array of used brass instruments, usually in fair to poor condition. There are usually a couple of tubas there, way overpriced. I've been there a dozen times and never saw a tuba I wanted to try.... But you'll never know what you find there.

Dillons is, without question, the place to go. The train ride, even from Brooklyn, is not daunting for someone who has come from overseas. The selection of tubas, both new and used, is WELL worth the trip. It's also a nice, friendly place to be. The staff is great, and Steve Dillon knows more about American brass instruments, particularly Conns, than anyone I've ever met.

Where is Walter Sear when we need him?
Phil

Yet another recommendation for Dillon's

Walter Sear is at Searsound. You can go talk to him, and learn as much about tubas as you can at any store. He doesn't sell them, though.
From Brooklyn to Dillons is about 2 hours on public transportation and 1 hour by car with normal traffic. Oh how I wish it was in Manhattan! I guess the economic realities prohibit a tuba store from operating in NYC. Does anybody know if the Yamaha showroom has tubas?
Last time I was at Rod Baltimore they had a really nice old 4 valve Conn Eb from the 30's. I don't know how much they wanted for it.
My friend at Roberto's tells me they have 2 Werils they're looking to sell. I wouldn't completely discount the 48th St stores.

LIRR might be a good place to start to get you into NYC (Penn Station)

http://www.mta.info/lirr/html/lirrmap.htm

then you can pick up NJ Transit from Penn Station to Woodbridge NJ (home of Dillon Music)

http://www.njtransit.com/sf_tr_schedules.shtml

and then from the Dillon website:
and the train stops just 1 block from the store. Also, every major road in the State of New Jersey intersects in Woodbridge.

Good luck,
hope that helps,
(gosh, I miss NJ)
Bill Pritchard

Call or email Dillon Music and maybe they can give the best option for getting their store. If it help,

http://dillonmusic.com/brass_directions.html

Kenneth wrote:So, if I find one, do you think I can negotiate with them on a price? Or, the price they quote is pretty much fixed? Since I've never shopped a tuba on the U.S., I don't know how the business goes.

This isn't really a matter for public discussion. You'll know whether they will negotiate when you offer less money than they are asking for. I promise you they won't be offended, if your offer is reasonable. A real offer of real money carries a lot more weight than idle chit-chat on Tubenet.

Rick "for whom the right tuba rare and not to be lost because it isn't on sale" Denney