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WWBW had a great Friday the 13th sale and I almost bought a new tuba. I had two problems - first my wife went hysterical after I responded to her question about how much... and then I couldn't decide if I wanted the 282 for $4400 or a 186 or 187 or 191 all for just a little over $5000. These are tremendously good prices but I guess my wife just isn't used to the idea yet. I guess I have to work on her and will have to wait and catch the next sale...

A tuba is an investment, like a house. If you don't mistreat it you can always sell it in a few years, often for more than you originally paid. If you wait until the model you chose is no longer available it becomes a collector's item. "They don't make 'em like that anymore!"
If you own more than one just never let your wife see both in the same room.

Forget rationales -- one person's rationale is another person's irrationality. Don't bother with explanations -- your friends don't need them, your enemies don't believe you anyway. Unless a purchase is doing serious damage to the household finances, it is easier to get forgiveness later than permission in advance.

True story: a couple of years ago I bought a cheap Besson 2-20 trumpet just to have one to kick around: $77 with case, original accessories, etc., delivered off ebay. My wife started criticising the purchase, we need the money elsewhere, you don't play one in concert anywhere, etc. In the middle of her commentary, I said nothing. I merely picked up the trumpet and my old mouthpiece I've had for over 30 years, stepped out into the hall and (in a slightly lower key than the movies, but still high enough to be impressive) ripped into the opening trumpet line (right after the guitar intro) of the James Bond theme, proceeding through until the point bass picks back up to set up the guitar riff again. In mid sentence she stopped abruptly, waited for me to finish, smiled, said, "Never mind," and that was that.

To paraphrase a famous line from a coach, "FORGIVENESS........ FORGIVENESS, DON'T TALK TO ME ABOUT FORGIVENESS!" I recently bought an Olds O-99 off eBay. Got a decent deal. Been looking for one for years. I got the , "What! You bought another tuba? Why?" response. Somehow she thinks one should be enough. I have been very fortunate over the years of instrument trading by buying low and selling high. I spent four hours documenting each purchase and sale for her. I was pleased with the result. I own Mirafone 184 and Olds O-99 tubas, King 2280 Euph, Besson BE-943R, Olds O-25 and Olds Recording trombones, Kanstul F. Besson trumpet and a Weril sop. trombone/slide trumpet for a total net cost of $1100. When I decide which tuba to sell later this year I will be in negative numbers. She was not impressed. So, I remodeled her kitchen at a cost of $$$$$. Still no forgiveness. This is not an easy game we play.

Today I am kicking myself. What I really wanted was to buy a couple of them so I would have a little moe flexibilty. The 282 would make a good walking around tuba. It would be good for smaller ensembles and even appropriate for church brass gigs. You could even walk through doorways with it if careful. Everybody needs abig tuba for gigs like our 75 pc community band ( http://www.mcsb.us" target="_blank ). I caved in and said I would look for something used. Not what I really wanted, unless... maybe I should jump a plane to Germany and buy that big beautiful 1970's vintage Kaiser!