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Might be a pig in a poke, but I'm going Tuesday to hopefully finally pick up a tuba, not obligated and if its not as advertised all I'm out is the drive but I've wrestled with this for almost a year had some almost deals before. So hopefully all goes well.

JJ

Well, just a heads up, tubas are like potato chips, you can never have just one.

thattubaguy wrote:Well, just a heads up, tubas are like potato chips, you can never have just one.

Lol don't tell my wife, and that was a lot of what I wrestled with was narrowing down the models that interested me as well as fit my budget and trying to stay practical. I still have to play test and make sure the sound I want is there, I may still come back empty handed wouldn't be the first time...

JJ

thattubaguy wrote:Well, just a heads up, tubas are like potato chips, you can never have just one.

FWIW, I would rather have just one or two good horns than a dozen mediocre ones. I have never understood the people who have ten old high pitch 3-valve Eb tubas and a couple beat up 3/4 student BBb tubas proudly lined up across their living room. It seems like they could sell all those horns and buy one decent used 4/4+ 4 valve horn that plays in tune.
Back to topic, best wishes on your tuba purchase, Jerry Lee. Maybe we can get together some time.

MartyNeilan wrote:

thattubaguy wrote:Well, just a heads up, tubas are like potato chips, you can never have just one.

FWIW, I would rather have just one or two good horns than a dozen mediocre ones. I have never understood the people who have ten old high pitch 3-valve Eb tubas and a couple beat up 3/4 student BBb tubas proudly lined up across their living room. It seems like they could sell all those horns and buy one decent used 4/4+ 4 valve horn that plays in tune.
Back to topic, best wishes on your tuba purchase, Jerry Lee. Maybe we can get together some time.

Thanks Marty it's gonna be a long day but hopefully worth it...

JJ

MartyNeilan wrote:FWIW, I would rather have just one or two good horns than a dozen mediocre ones. I have never understood the people who have ten old high pitch 3-valve Eb tubas and a couple beat up 3/4 student BBb tubas proudly lined up across their living room. It seems like they could sell all those horns and buy one decent used 4/4+ 4 valve horn that plays in tune.
Back to topic, best wishes on your tuba purchase, Jerry Lee. Maybe we can get together some time.

As someone who has owned a lot of old tubas I agree, to a point. I made sure I had a good 4/4 4 valve "player" horn before I bought other things. It isn't an either or. I still have that same 4/4 "main" horn and a 4 valve compensator Eb. All the old horns I have owned (only 1 old 3 valve Eb) I have bought because there was something unique about them, and there was at least some scenario under which I would play it. That includes a Martin top action BBb BAT, Conn BBb raincatcher sousaphone, 20J, 22J, 28K, 40K, 20K, King 1291 (Bill Bell Rotary), 1250, raincatcher Eb sousaphone, York Monster 4 valve EB, Jumbo sousaphone, to name a few. Of course I only bought things with money that I didn't need to live on when I was getting those big financial industry bonuses. Now that I am in my "retirement" career and downsizing I'm down to 5 horns, two of which are still my main BBb and Eb. Fortunately I broke even or made money on almost all the tubas I have owned.

Yes, there are lots of cool old tubas that I find can be addicting, but unless you are good at buying those that need work and selling refurbished at a profit, it can be dangerous. We can't all be Mike Lynch.

And good luck with it Jerry. Let us know how it goes.

Lew wrote:

MartyNeilan wrote:FWIW, I would rather have just one or two good horns than a dozen mediocre ones. I have never understood the people who have ten old high pitch 3-valve Eb tubas and a couple beat up 3/4 student BBb tubas proudly lined up across their living room. It seems like they could sell all those horns and buy one decent used 4/4+ 4 valve horn that plays in tune.
Back to topic, best wishes on your tuba purchase, Jerry Lee. Maybe we can get together some time.

As someone who has owned a lot of old tubas I agree, to a point. I made sure I had a good 4/4 4 valve "player" horn before I bought other things. It isn't an either or. I still have that same 4/4 "main" horn and a 4 valve compensator Eb. All the old horns I have owned (only 1 old 3 valve Eb) I have bought because there was something unique about them, and there was at least some scenario under which I would play it. That includes a Martin top action BBb BAT, Conn BBb raincatcher sousaphone, 20J, 22J, 28K, 40K, 20K, King 1291 (Bill Bell Rotary), 1250, raincatcher Eb sousaphone, York Monster 4 valve EB, Jumbo sousaphone, to name a few. Of course I only bought things with money that I didn't need to live on when I was getting those big financial industry bonuses. Now that I am in my "retirement" career and downsizing I'm down to 5 horns, two of which are still my main BBb and Eb. Fortunately I broke even or made money on almost all the tubas I have owned.

Yes, there are lots of cool old tubas that I find can be addicting, but unless you are good at buying those that need work and selling refurbished at a profit, it can be dangerous. We can't all be Mike Lynch.

And good luck with it Jerry. Let us know how it goes.

Thanks lew,
After a lot of phone calls yesterday I feel more confident in the condition of the horn because a handfull of members here know the guy that's got it and says he's trustworthy. As much as I try to believe everyone is, the fact is some are just out to make a buck and I now feel this is not the case.

JJ

OK Jerry, please tell us about the horn! We are all very curious now!

TubaMusikMann wrote:OK Jerry, please tell us about the horn! We are all very curious now!

It's a new style king 2341, I looked and talked to several members here and thanks to you all for being very patient and informative. I'm a little OCD ok a lot OCD and tried to balance want/need/budget and hopefully didn't come across as pestering with all the questions. And bottom line was I had two choices work within my current budget and start playing now, or keep saving holding out for bigger and better. So I chose to start playing now.

JJ

Jerryleejr wrote:holding out for bigger and better. So I chose to start playing now.

Definitely the right choice IMHO.
There's always bigger & better, well at least bigger & more expensive
As long as you find a good playing horn, I think you will be very satisfied for many years to come.
When do you go to check out the horn? Let us know how it goes & some pictures would be cool.

Craig

TubaMusikMann wrote:

Jerryleejr wrote:holding out for bigger and better. So I chose to start playing now.

Definitely the right choice IMHO.
There's always bigger & better, well at least bigger & more expensive
As long as you find a good playing horn, I think you will be very satisfied for many years to come.
When do you go to check out the horn? Let us know how it goes & some pictures would be cool.

Craig

Driving up tonight, to check it out first thing in the morning.

JJ

Ok boys and girls up and at em, gonna take a tour of the eastlake facility while I'm here.

JJ

Take the horn with you if you can. As good a place as any to get a gauge on its condition than there.

Tubaryan12 wrote:Take the horn with you if you can. As good a place as any to get a gauge on its condition than there.

I'm gonna try but it's a gray area and I don't want to put the tech in an akward position. I have a couple back up plans on the way home to get the horn checked out. (Dan) lol

JJ

Jerryleejr wrote:

TubaMusikMann wrote:OK Jerry, please tell us about the horn! We are all very curious now!

It's a new style king 2341, I looked and talked to several members here and thanks to you all for being very patient and informative. I'm a little OCD ok a lot OCD and tried to balance want/need/budget and hopefully didn't come across as pestering with all the questions. And bottom line was I had two choices work within my current budget and start playing now, or keep saving holding out for bigger and better. So I chose to start playing now.

JJ

I think you're smart to get a horn you can afford now and start playing, used horns that are well cared for don't depreciate much (and some times appreciate), so you can always upgrade later and in most cases get close to what you paid for the horn out of it.

Mission accomplished, headed home with a very fine horn. And thanks so much to one of our own for taking the time to meet me and go over the horn and play it to ensure I wasn't getting a paperweight. Ill post pics when I get home.

JJ

bloke wrote:Those tubas are so good for so many people.

A cut-to-CC version was used in the NYPO for a year or so.

Joe,
Ill be getting with u for some of your magic ninja valve pieces very shortly and thanks for putting up with all the questions.

JJ

I always liked the BBb better.the CC is foggy

Curmudgeon wrote:Congrats! Buying tubas is fun!

AND.............EXPENSIVE!!!