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Hello. I'm a new member and a (hopefully) returning player after a 30 year hiatus. I need a horn just to play just for fun: etudes, solos, Tuba Christmas. Because of my short torso and senior citizen status I can only handle a small 3/4 tuba. Front action valves also are much preferred for ergonomics.

My previous tuba was a Bach Mercedes 3 valve, which I understand is an Olds 099 clone. I like old horns but there are new models I have no experience with: Weril, Jupiter, possibly others.

My budget is around $1000 but I can stretch that a bit. A beautiful Weril J681 CC recently sold for $1500 may have worked for me. Please give me some suggestions. I have no preference as to key.

Thanks.

I'm two years younger than you are and recently changed tubas, so I can give you a few thoughts. First, as important as the tuba is how you will get it. Whether you are open to buying something and having it shipped to you, or want to try to find something local enough to you that you could go and try it and bring it home, saving $75 to $100 in shipping and the possibility that it might be damaged in transit, but spending the money on gas to go to the tuba. You are close enough to Mack Brass in Virginia to go and try his horns, or possibly to go to Baltimore and try horns at Baltimore Brass. Tuba Exchange in Durham, NC is also reachable. You can see online what these guys have that might be in your price range.

At under $1000, you'd probably be limited to a BBb 3/4 three valve or an Eb three banger, I'd think. Either of these would be small enough to meet your requirements. Ebs can be as light as about 11 lbs, while a 4/4 BBb like the King 1241 would be 21 lbs. You should consider whether it's possible that you'd end up in a Community Band and whether that might mean a larger size Eb or a full size BBb would work best for you. I ended up with a used Chinese 186 clone that weighs 18 lbs. It is a little unwieldy because of the size if you have to carry it through doorways, but certainly not too heavy for me to hold. If you get a hard case with wheels, getting into any handicap accessible building with ramps should be easy.

In the range between $1000 and $1500 are used Chinese clone 4/4's, new Chinese clone 3/4's and possibly some older full size BBb horns. To get a King 1241, a rather efficient full size BBb, you'd probably need to spend about $1600 to $1800, but that would be a great horn if you could handle the extra size and weight. At about $1000 or maybe less, a B&S clone might be found. . .but these are also full size horns. . .

Maybe some of our experts will chime in and tell me how wrong (or right) I am. . . you'd be welcome to drop in in Knoxville and try out my 186 clone or my 1913 Keefer Eb 3 valve, if you get over this way. The tryout comes with free beer, wine or coffee if we know you're coming.

Pm sent.

royjohn, thanks for the info. Looks like you have given this a lot of thought.
The Tuba Exchange has a King that I might go try out. Who knows? My wife and I need a Road Trip so I may take you up on your hospitality.

First off welcome to the forum and back to playing. You will find all kinds of folks here from some of the best pros on the planet to students and all kinds of players in between Secondly the discussion can range from very serious to way off the beaten path.

Something you may want to consider is a playing stand. It makes playing a large instrument much easier. They can be quite small and for instance the Baltimore Brass version will fold up and fit in your bell for transport. It depends on a variety of factors. Sometimes older folks don't have a problem carrying a 4/4 size instrument back and forth -it is the holding of the instrument. In other cases carrying the horn is an issue. Even that can be dealt with these days either by using a hard case with wheels, a cart or a gig bag that you can carry or carry on your back like a backpack. You will find many more options in the 4/4 market if you can consider that.

Also you want to keep in mind the angle of the pistons or rotors. For many folks it isn't the size of the horn that is a problem it is the size of the pistons and/or the angle that causes grief.

Miraphone 186's are very popular horns with good intonation and are very light - around 18 pounds. A used one retains it's value well and they are pretty easy to lug around and hold. Good Luck!

I would say either Miraphone 186 or King 2341, but for the budget limitation.

With the budget, a 3-valve King, Reynolds or similar.

Check the Craigslist for Houston TX. There was an O-99 on there a couple of weeks ago for $600.

Here it is. http://houston.craigslist.org/msg/3776123415.html" target="_blank

Thanks to everyone for their input.

For several months prior to placing this post I have wrestled with the question "What to play - Tuba or Euphonium". I have much more experience on euph than tuba and have more knowledge of euphoniums. Both are FUN and I think, in the long run, I would be better on tuba.

But there's the weight consideration. Also the cost. I now realize that a more portable instrument is more appealing to me as I don't have the strength to wrestle a big horn. After all, I need to feel comfortable with the horn.

For these reasons, I think I will look for a euphonium. Having owned and played several different brands and models, I feel comfortable deciding what to buy. In the future I might reconsider playing tuba and I will use your advice to guide me in the purchase of one.

Thanks again.