TubeNet

Hi All
Played tuba in HS and after starting a family and a career, I'm back after 15 years playing the tuba. As I am contemplating my first tuba purchase, I need to justify which tuba to buy. Given this just a hobby I can't travel to the specialty shops and play different models. My best idea has been to go to TubaChristmas' in either Madison or the Twin Cities and politely ask to play the various models that others may have, but I don't know if this would be enough playing time to help. Is there anyone near LaCrosse, WI that I could get together with that would allow me to play their horn to help decide? If anyone has any ideas that would be great.
Joel

There's lots of threads on this board discussing that issue in general. Assuming you are looking for a BBb and know your price range (you may or may not want to post your price range - it would result in lots of people emailing you about their horn for sale), the most oft-repeated advice is to get a good condition, used, instrument from a trusted brand.

Roger Lewis on this board, David Fedderly/Baltimore Brass, Bloke/Mid-South Music, Dillon Music, and The Village Tinker are a few examples of places to get good advice.

This page is a good resource:

http://www.chisham.com/shops.html" target="_blank

And, I'd feel very comfortable buying anything on this page, if it was the type of instrument that I was looking for.

http://thevillagetinker.com/horns_for_sale.htm" target="_blank

I'll elaborate, indeed I'll be looking for a BBb tuba. I learned on three valves, but interested in the 4th to aid in lower register. Pretty sure a front action will get the nod and pistons over rotary, but that's not for certain. I mainly play community band and currently working on getting a quintet going with more regularity. I have visited just about all the sites offering tubas and just end up wiping up the drool off the keyboard. I'll also need to first purchase some persuasion for the boss....women like diamonds right?

A lot of different tubas can work just fine and be enjoyable to play and hear. I have not yet seen any use in being overly particular within some broad outlines of personal preference. For a professional, particularity about the instrument may pay, but not for me.

When I came back after 27 years away from playing, I still had a sense for what horns I'd enjoyed and which ones I didn't when I was actively playing in the past. There are a lot more good options out there now, especially if you don't care how much you spend. But what worked then still works now, and what didn't still mostly doesn't. So maybe your memories can be a help?

Smokeytuba wrote:I'll elaborate, indeed I'll be looking for a BBb tuba. I learned on three valves, but interested in the 4th to aid in lower register. Pretty sure a front action will get the nod and pistons over rotary, but that's not for certain. I mainly play community band and currently working on getting a quintet going with more regularity. I have visited just about all the sites offering tubas and just end up wiping up the drool off the keyboard. I'll also need to first purchase some persuasion for the boss....women like diamonds right?

With these plans for playing, I will agree on the 4 valve version if you go for a BBb. I like big contrabasses, but they are not the easiest to handle neither musically nor transportwise. The 5-tet element also points towards something medium sized.

I don’t own an old-style King 2341, but the one I tried, after my intake of tubas basically had been stopped, was a very pleasant experience. Very easily played. They are kind of old fashioned with their detachable bells, but I wouldn’t hold that against them. The benefit of the recording bell ones is, that they are not the ones most sought after. If you can find a well playing one of these, the price may still be manageable.

Klaus

If you can make it out to Chicago sometime next week and wouldn't mind investing a little money into your research, the Midwest Clinic is probably one of the best events (other than ITEC and the army tuba conference) to try a pile of horns all at once. If it's feasible at all, I would go, try out horns, and write your impressions down in a notebook. Granted, they probably won't have some of the older models like the Reynolds already mentioned (although I've played the upright bell version before and was not that impressed...), but it should give you a much clearer picture for what you're looking for.

Plus if you go the right day you could catch some pretty sweet concerts.

http://www.midwestclinic.org/" target="_blank

Thanks all for the help.
I am one of the many K12 students who had band instructors who were great teachers of the fundamentals, just didn't have the knowledge of the tuba, so I feel I didn't reach my full potential. I don't even recall what model of tuba I used in HS other than it was a top action 3 valve with a detachable recording bell. I was discussing this issue with my wife last night that I feel I am a better player know then I ever have been, whether thats my practice regime, equipment, physical abilities, etc...so deciding on which tuba will be a start from scratch for me. I will ultimately decide on a model that feels comfortable to me in both playability and ergonomically, of those that I've played Yamaha 201, MW 10, and my HS tuba, I can say I haven't found it yet. The MW 10 is close but the top action just doesn't let me 'get in' to the tuba.

My short list of those I'd like to try are:
King 234(1 or 0)
Jupiter 482/582
Reynolds
Schiller American Heritage

Smokeytuba wrote:Thanks all for the help.
I don't even recall what model of tuba I used in HS other than it was a top action 3 valve with a detachable recording bell.

In case you're curious, I'd bet you a Diet Coke it was a Conn 20J (although there are other possibilities).

Uncle Buck wrote:

Smokeytuba wrote:Thanks all for the help.
I don't even recall what model of tuba I used in HS other than it was a top action 3 valve with a detachable recording bell.

In case you're curious, I'd bet you a Diet Coke it was a Conn 20J (although there are other possibilities).

Uncle Buck,
After looking at some pics, I'd think I owe you a Diet Coke.

I've gotten a lot of good advice, think I'll be planning a trip to WI Rapids and Stevens Point (perhaps Appleton also) to do some shopping. Ultimately I'll wait until after Christmas to make the purchase (Give the 3 boys a good Christmas and make sure mom is taken care of as well). I'll let everyone know what I've decided on.
Joel (Smokeytuba, Forester + tuba player = Smokeytuba)