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So I've got a little bit of a disposable income and have been window shopping tubas for a few weeks... I haven't tooted a horn in roughly 10 years, though I still buzz on a mouthpiece from time to time. While being somewhat taken aback by how much German tubas have appreciated in the last 10 years, I'm equally surprised and somewhat thrilled with the variety and purported quality of the sub-2k offerings nowadays. Ideally I could end up with a CC tuba as that's what I've played the most (those $1,800ish Miraclones are downright appealing), but I've been out of the game so long I don't know that it would really matter what key I end up with.

I won't be taking any orchestral auditions, I just want something I can have fun with and maybe make a little bit of music out of. Got the spousal "OK" to spend $1000, and I'm strongly considering picking up one of these underdogs:

1) "Bubbie" chinese F/Eb tuba, ~$980 shipped. I've read and watched all the reviews, I get that it's not a great horn. The common criticism that it sounds more like a trombone than a tuba is part of what attracts me to it. I work in a recording studio and feel like it would be a great tool to have on hand to put down impromptu horn lines, working on arrangements, etc. Also good for busking and a fun gimmick to add to my ambient improv act, moreso than a large tuba would be.

2) "Tiger" plastic BBb tuba, ~$1300ish. I like the novelty factor of plastic, wouldn't think twice about taking it out to busk, I find the weirdness of it oddly inspiring, and if I get a performance itch it's probably more practical than the Bubbie. Slightly above the budget, but I think my wife will be ok with that if I let her put bumper stickers on it.

My original title for this post was <"Tiger" plastic BBb tuba vs. "Bubbie" F tuba? No, seriously.>, but I'm open to suggestions. There are several sub-$1k 3v Eb's on the Baltimore Brass website that I suspect could fill the same niche as the "Bubbie", and I'm sure there are other options out there that I haven't considered. I'm also not opposed to getting a sousaphone, though I don't know what to make of all the weird chinese and indian stuff on eBay. Thoughts appreciated, especially from anybody who has actual hands-on experience with the horns mentioned above, or leads on a CC horn in my price range.

My hunch is that for your one and only tuba, some normal contrabass tuba will do you better.

Under $1000, that would be very used, and probably BBb. There's a lot of good stuff in that category. What do think you might be doing with this tuba, eventually?

https://www.dillonmusic.com/p-23422-olds-99-bbb.aspx" target="_blank

You wrote that the understand the Bubbie is "not a great horn". Then don't spend even one dollar on it! Save and buy something that's not crap. I've played the Meinl Weston travel tuba and also a Bubbie. The MW is problematic; the Bubbie is junk in comparison.

A plastic tuba sounds like fun, but it doesn't seem like a long term durable purchase to me. That's a lot of money to throw at a disposable instrument. I have not played one, but I've played plenty of plastic trombones. They can do the job, but they just don't resonate well, and are tiring to play.

There's not a lot to be had around $1K for a tuba player that's decent. But keep looking and keep saving. You can find better.

-F

Bob Kolada wrote:https://www.dillonmusic.com/p-23422-olds-99-bbb.aspx" target="_blank

^
This.

Donn wrote: What do think you might be doing with this tuba, eventually?

It's tough to say- I'm very active musically as a bass player and work as an audio engineer at a recording studio/performance venue, so the options are pretty wide. The appeal of the Bubbie is largely its small size and portability, I'm looking at it as more of a solo gimmick than an all around performance horn... that said, once my chops are back up to par I'd jump at the opportunity to join a community band or some type of chamber group. I don't have any strictly defined goals at this point beyond "relearn to play the tuba", so all leads and insights are greatly appreciated!

Ferguson wrote:I've played plenty of plastic trombones. They can do the job, but they just don't resonate well, and are tiring to play.
-F

Can you elaborate on what you mean by "tiring to play"? Thanks!

Regarding Tiger plastic tubas -
Of the three plastic trumpets being made (Tiger, pTrumpet, and Tromba/Allora) the Tiger is generally considered the worst due to its valves. (Tiger uses an aluminum valve that requires special oil. pTrumpet is all plastic. Tromba uses a fairly standard valve material of nickel or monel with a brass cylinder sleeve.)

The Tiger tuba has rotary valves which is something new. Who knows how they will behave in the long run.

Also -- resale values on a new Tiger or a new Chinese horn will be terrible, should you decide that the instrument is not for you. If you pick up a used instrument around your price range it should hold its value well. There are some currently in the For Sale section that should fit your requirements.

That Olds is what you're looking for, the just right size that satisfies. See one in the For Sale section here.

This one!

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=67445&hilit=sonora" target="_blank

funkcicle wrote:

Ferguson wrote:I've played plenty of plastic trombones. They can do the job, but they just don't resonate well, and are tiring to play.
-F

Can you elaborate on what you mean by "tiring to play"? Thanks!

When I play a real live metal brass trombone it goes Zowee!!!1! and it's fun and nimble and zippy. ...And then I play a plastic trombone...and it's dull and not lively and it's scratchy and ordinary, and I stop caring after I play it a while because it just doesn't vibrate the same way. Yes I've played a couple of gigs on one for a lark, but I missed my regular horn. Knowing the difference, I can't imagine playing a plastic instrument all the time. $1300 is some real money. If that's your entire instrument fund, don't throw it all at a Fisher Price tuba.

Even a Jupiter 378 is a bit over $2K USD new, so a used one might be in your price range. The 378 is a decent 3V tuba, but as the other poster linked, there are even better deals if you look further.

-F

There's also a Wurlitzer 3-piston BBb at Baltimore Brass, offered at $995.00. It has a very warm, singing sound- I would probably have bought it if it had 4 valves.

I have a bubbie which I use for playing French horn parts on occasion. I have used it for practice and when I need portability. It does have a different sound. I don't think I would say trombone like, but definitely not full. It is easily over blown and the sound deteriorates. I think it might serve the purposes as originally described but would not be very welcome in most community bands. I would not suggest one as an only horn if you want to play in a wide variety of settings. Besides its F or Eb, that is not a C by a long way. Maybe one of the travel C tubas would work.

I have this for sale:

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=68066" target="_blank" target="_blank

A plastic tuba over this one? Really?

The Olds has great valves. It is ready to play. I can get it shipped to you by Greyhound for $1200 total. Plastic? Really?

From one who knows...

I assume you are not necessarily in a hurry, and buying a tuba should never be about timing. Long term success requires you do the following:

- Determine what it is - as exactly as possible - that you really want/need (don't buy anything until you do this - even there is something out there you can already afford)
- Play better tubas than you can afford so you can determine if the horn you can afford is good enough or if you just need to save more money.
- Save up sufficient cash. Continually revisit the first two steps while you do this.
- Don't be talked into a tuba that is not what you want/need (this includes the voices in your head)
- Wait for that tuba to come up in the used market. Talk to other owners and don't be afraid to make respectful offers.

I managed to acquire an unbelievably good horn this way. It took me about 6 months and any number of occasions where I had to resist other offers and temptations.

Good luck in your search.

lost wrote:You mean you are finding it hard to believe the bubbie and tiger tuba are the leading candidates for a serious return to the art of tuba playing? I think i agree.

I'm actually planning a not-so-serious return to the art of tuba playing like I said in the first post, something to toot on and maybe make some music out of in my studio, I'm treating this purchase like a sort of 'stepping stone' towards something more serious, if I decide I want something more serious afterward. I've never been afraid of 'underdog' tubas- my two horns in college were a Cerveny Piggy and a frankenstein F tuba that started as a Weril CC- despite their many quirks (and believe me, they had quirks!), I was still able to progress through the standard curriculum of undergrad tuba repertoire with relative ease... So I look at those gimmicky horns with an open mind as something that could be fun, for not a ton of money- my most likely short term use of the horn will be dressing up as a bunny rabbit and playing for children, if that shines any light on the appeal of those two particular horns

That said, I appreciate all the feedback- especially the leads on those Olds tubas, which is exactly the kind of info I was hoping to find in this thread... I've always liked those 2J-style small piston horns, and they are very strong contenders. It's been a long time since my daily routine consisted of checking all the online used tuba marketplaces, so I'm completely out of touch with the market and letting you guys help me navigate it- and I really appreciate the help! I hope to buy something by the end of October, and it's possible my budget will grow a little bit as I consider my options. Cheers

Actually I was going to suggest a piggy if you can find one.

I don't know about the rest of you but I draw a huge distinction between a piggy and a bubbie or plastic tuba. Worlds apart... Piggies are great in the studio also.

Yeah I'd love another Piggy, I don't know that I could find one in my current price range though.

funkcicle wrote:That said, I appreciate all the feedback- especially the leads on those Olds tubas, which is exactly the kind of info I was hoping to find in this thread... I've always liked those 2J-style small piston horns, and they are very strong contenders.

Well, there you go, as you may know, rumor has it that the 2J was actually an Olds - serial number and all - with "Conn" engraved on it.

aside from cosmetics, are there any other factors that might make a $2,000 2J a better deal than the $1,000 Olds 99 that Bloke posted? Thanks