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Hello Tubenetters,
Here is my issue for today. I own two tubas. The first is my HNWhite recording bass made in 1937. It is BBb and has three valves. I have owned this horn for thirty five years and love the way it plays and sounds. Two years ago I decided to to purchase a brand new VMI rotary horn. I have tried to get used to the difference between piston and rotary, etc. I find this horn to be extremely fussy and difficult. I also have had the misfortune of falling with it and creasing the bell as well as taking off a small amount of lacquer. The King is built like a tank and the
VMI is built like a very high strung race horse. My question to the jury is "How much time to you feel is necessary to break yourself and the horn into each other?" I am now at the point that I may be ready to simply sell the VMI and try to recoup at least some of the money I spent on it.
Thoughts and Comments?

sounds to me like you have already decided - are you just looking to others to validate your decision?

Sell the VMI.

Those two tubas are like night and day from each other. If you have regrets later, it won't be all that difficult to find another VMI. Or, use that money to buy something like an old American Eb tuba as a partner for your HN White.

roughrider wrote:Hello Tubenetters,
Here is my issue for today. I own two tubas. .....My question to the jury is "How much time to you feel is necessary to break yourself and the horn into each other?"....

Either a horn works for you or it doesn't. It should not be necessary to struggle to 'learn' a new horn. It should not take more than a few days to make that determination. Those old Kings are hard to beat. If you like four valves... look for another King and sell the B & S.

roughrider wrote:Hello Tubenetters,
Here is my issue for today. I own two tubas. The first is my HNWhite recording bass made in 1937. It is BBb and has three valves. I have owned this horn for thirty five years and love the way it plays and sounds. Two years ago I decided to to purchase a brand new VMI rotary horn. I have tried to get used to the difference between piston and rotary, etc. I find this horn to be extremely fussy and difficult. I also have had the misfortune of falling with it and creasing the bell as well as taking off a small amount of lacquer. The King is built like a tank and the
VMI is built like a very high strung race horse. My question to the jury is "How much time to you feel is necessary to break yourself and the horn into each other?" I am now at the point that I may be ready to simply sell the VMI and try to recoup at least some of the money I spent on it.
Thoughts and Comments?

Read what I just posted under "Center of the horn." I am guessing that your old H.N. White has very wide slots, and the newer VMI much narrower slots. This may be what lends it to seem "fussy and difficult." Perhaps just that understanding will help you deal with the instrument somewhat better.

If you like your King, I'd try to sell the VMI outright or try to trade it for one of the newer fixed-bell four valve Kings.

I'd sell them both and buy a Mirafone 191

What is there to discuss? If there was only one tuba that suited everybody, there would not be so many to choose from, and so many players willing to fall on their swords defending the choices they have made.

I play the instruments that make me happy. It really is as simple as that. Life's too short to fight a toy used for a hobby.

Rick "whose collection reflects the various facets of happiness" Denney

A lot of us have made mistakes in tuba purchases at one time, or another and if one does not suit you, then just sell, rather than fretting over it - will loose some money, but put that down to experience.

We all have different preferences and you sometime need to try something to confirm if really for you, or not.

Jonathan "who has gone through a few tubas to find just the ones for him"

The VMI is a wildly different design than the King. Keep the King and if you want another horn, trade the VMI towards something similar to the King. The newer 2341's are good players. Good luck!

TubaTinker wrote:Either a horn works for you or it doesn't. It should not be necessary to struggle to 'learn' a new horn. It should not take more than a few days to make that determination.

No truer words were ever spoken. Some say it with more of a metaphysical approach, such as, "A tuba finds a player, a player rarely finds the tuba," or such, but the synergy between a tuba player and the instrument is, I think, much more personal than any other musical instrument there is. Period.

Before I purchased my tubas, I had the pleasure, opportunity and privilege to at least try out, if not actually borrow for any period of time from a single gig to a few months, many tubas. Since, I've had the pleasure of trying out whole stables of tubas and souzys, including everything Jeff Rideout brought from Michigan to San Antonio a couple of years ago. Many, many fine tubas, which will all find a happy home. As for me, although one or two tempted me, I went home with the girl I brought to the dance. For me, TubaTinker's comment exactly applies. Many times, it took not a few days, but within a few hours I could tell if the instrument would fit my playing and personal ergonomics.

Thank you to everyone who responded to my entry. I am happy to say that the problem was resolved tonight at our Concert Band rehearsal. I have sold the horn to my seatmate who is a fabulous player and who also needs a new horn. He is thrilled to have a new horn and I am thrilled to have exorcised this from my life. I will continue to play my King at home and am now playing a very solid and old Boosey and Hawkes three valve at our rehearsals. I like horns like me, fat, old, and with a few small dents!
Thanks again,