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Sentimental Tuba.....

Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2016 5:34 pm
by AndyCat
So, my local Dealer has just had this battered Yamaha 321 traded in
OldYam.jpg
It was my very first tuba. This exact one. I played it 1985-87. I have the option to buy it, but not sure what it's worth (besides the sentiment....).

I'd have to get rid of my 3v Imperial BBb (for financial AND family reasons....), but if this is heavier, then that's then an issue as I have the Imperial for marching/standing..... Anyone any idea of weights?

Anyway. Help......

Re: Sentimental Tuba.....

Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2016 8:27 pm
by imperialbari
According to a 1977 BESSON (sic!) leaflet the 3 valve BBb comper weighs 11.134kg.

According to a 1994 Yamaha catalogue the YBB-321 (4 valves) weighs 10.5kg.

Klaus

Re: Sentimental Tuba.....

Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2016 3:53 am
by AndyCat
DP wrote:
Curmudgeon wrote:Buy it.
Andy why didn't you tell us their asking price?
It's not been confirmed yet, but possibly towards $1000 with the original case.

Re: Sentimental Tuba.....

Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2016 8:05 am
by Three Valves
AndyCat wrote:
DP wrote:
Curmudgeon wrote:Buy it.
Andy why didn't you tell us their asking price?
It's not been confirmed yet, but possibly towards $1000 with the original case.
Curmudgeon wrote:Buy it.
:tuba:

Re: Sentimental Tuba.....

Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2016 9:50 am
by Donn
No one but you can really gauge the sentimental value, but ... got rid of it once already, after a couple years? Battered? YBB 321?

You'd have to sell the Imperial BBb - what happens when it shows up for sale, will it need you to rescue it?

Maybe some young person of your acquaintance who needs one will buy it, and then you can share your past with someone else.

Re: Sentimental Tuba.....

Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2016 10:03 am
by AndyCat
Donn wrote:No one but you can really gauge the sentimental value, but ... got rid of it once already, after a couple years? Battered? YBB 321?

You'd have to sell the Imperial BBb - what happens when it shows up for sale, will it need you to rescue it?

Maybe some young person of your acquaintance who needs one will buy it, and then you can share your past with someone else.
The tuba belonged to a band, I've never owned it myself. The Imp is just a tool.

Re: Sentimental Tuba.....

Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2016 3:20 pm
by Tom Coffey
Get it, but never sell the Imperial--you will miss it as soon as you do.

Re: Sentimental Tuba.....

Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2016 3:36 pm
by bort
Don't buy it.

If it's purely for sentimental reasons, maybe go and say "hi" to it... but if you prefer the equipment you own now, then don't change from it.

Frankly, I'm not sure that I'd re-buy any of my old tubas if they were for sale again. Maybe the Miraphone 188, but even with that, I'd probably end up remembering why I sold it in the first place.

Re: Sentimental Tuba.....

Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2016 3:41 pm
by Three Valves
If I saw "Betty" in a store somewhere, I'd buy her.

(My High School Conn Naked Lady)

Re: Sentimental Tuba.....

Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2016 5:01 pm
by JaxBen_20J
I feel your pain. Late last year, I found my exact college horn on eBay for $3500, two owners removed from me, but couldn't quite bring myself to pull the trigger. Eventually, the seller transferred it to Tuba Exchange, where it now sits for sale for much more (they did a fair amount of maintenance on it):

http://www.tubaexchange.com/used/used-k ... c-tuba-830" target="_blank

It was a great playing horn, but for my level of usage and getting back into playing after over a decade off, I couldn't really justify the expense. It may now always be the one that got away, but it served me well while I had it.

Re: Sentimental Tuba.....

Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2016 5:12 pm
by sousaphone68
The very first tuba I ever played went to a music college in Cork when the band that owned it folded.
Every other tuba that I played after that 3 valve BH Imp I either still own or have access to through the bands I play with.
I would love to have a toot on that Imperial again but not enough to want to own it.