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I'm looking for recommendations for BBb lap tubas. I play in street band and own a sousaphone but I really don't enjoy carrying the thing on my shoulder. A friend and fellow forum member has been kind enough to loan me a King 1241 with a recording bell that I really enjoy playing. Im looking for other recommendations for BBb tubas that would likely to be in the $1200 or less price range. I don't plan on doing much if any marching with it so it doesn't have to be light weight or anything. I am a new player, however, so I'd like something that's not really hard to play. Thanks.

Edit. I'm playing a 1240. The 3 valve version.

You're not going to find a new BBb tuba for $1200.
Even used, that's a low target price. You will need to get lucky to find something good for that $ on this forum or on the web (craigslist or ebay) that doesn't need repair. I don't think I've seen a used BBb tuba in that price range on the BBC or Tuba Exchange websites for a while.

If you're in the Northeast US, check this guy out, he's selling refurbished instruments in your price range - http://galvanizedjazz.com/tuba/4sale/TubasForSale.html

Not hard to play? That King 1241 you're borrowing is probably about as easy as they come. Having the right mouthpiece helps more than anything else.

Good luck.

I guess I should have mentioned. I've no intention of buying new. The one I'm playing was bought for well under 1200.

Dillon Music currently has two used BBb tubas listed on their website for under $1000. One is a Conn Carl Fisher stencil and the other is a Conn 20J. If you're happy with the King recording bell tuba you're currently on, the Conn 20J at Dillon Music might be just the thing for you.

http://www.dillonmusic.com/p-24174-conn-20j-bbb.aspx

http://www.dillonmusic.com/p-12854-conn-bb.aspx

With time, I'm sure others will come along in your price range as well...likely similar models to the two I've already mentioned, but they're out there.

Look into Mack Brass they have good tubas at really good prices.
http://www.mackbrass.com/Tubas_Z6LX.html" target="_blank

KiltieTuba wrote:

Joemac wrote:I guess I should have mentioned. I've no intention of buying new. The one I'm playing was bought for well under 1200.

So, why not find one of those?

Heck, you can find the 1240/2340 King (the three valve model of the 1241/2341) for cheap prices. Dig through the For Sale board and see what's around, check the auction sites too.

There's one on the board and a guy in Maine has a few. That's most likely what I'll get. I guess I'm asking, since I'm new to tuba, are there others like the King that are possibly better. Just trying to be smart and check my options before I buy.

Olds 99. Easy playing horns. Big sound for their size. 12J conn also is good horn. Once again big sound for their size. both are front action 3 valve horns. There is one of each on ebay right now. I have one of each for sale as well. http://fortmyers.craigslist.org/lee/msg/5494734825.html" target="_blank http://fortmyers.craigslist.org/lee/msg/5538335167.html" target="_blank

Tom wrote:If you're happy with the King recording bell tuba you're currently on, the Conn 20J at Dillon Music might be just the thing for you.

Or it might not! Bigger, heavier, darker sounding, worse intonation, and by a significant margin on each count. That's not unlike what I did - went from a 1240 to a big fat Holton with short action valves and a recording bell - and I love it, but it's a big change and I don't think the results are all in yet, the down side of this thing may catch up with me yet.

There's a King 1241 sitting on ebay forever that would be thrilled to be offered $1200 (hint, offer less). I forget how rough of condition it is, it has a lame title like "no name tuba"

Yamaha YBB-321 is best of the bargain basement tubas. Very easy to play with big sound, and the valves last really well on these so used is less of a gamble. Usually the cheapest 4 valve tuba available. It is top action, which can be okay but with long valve throw and high apehanger reach to the valves it's not the best for Flight of the Bumblebee.

Old Bessons are similar, and with compensating system you get the intonation of 4 valves (or even better) with the price of 3 valves. Not as easy to play as Yamaha, but more interesting tone.

Thanks for all the suggestions. Looks like I've got quite a few options and the King is a good one as well.

for your price the older Kings would be your best bet. they are very reliable and great sounding horns.
three valves with a recording bell are usually the cheapest. Upright bells and four valves will add to the price.
kk

Kings are the most available. But the Olds O-99 is a great choice. There are also Reynolds models from back in the day that will sell in your price range and can really get the job done in that kind of gig.

At your price range, three valves is what you will get, but that's okay for what you are doing, where you can just avoid any notes that don't work.

Rick "who has helped friends buy and sell several Kings of this type within this price range" Denney

Rick Denney wrote:Kings are the most available. But the Olds O-99 is a great choice. There are also Reynolds models from back in the day that will sell in your price range and can really get the job done in that kind of gig.

At your price range, three valves is what you will get, but that's okay for what you are doing, where you can just avoid any notes that don't work.

Rick "who has helped friends buy and sell several Kings of this type within this price range" Denney

I can add a thumbs up for the vote on the Reynolds! I have several of them and they are real players. They have a fuller and provide more foundation than the King's I have played. They are a bit larger, and really can be considered a 5/4 size horn.

Steve

Here are a few. The last one is a shameless plug!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/King-1140-1240- ... Sw2GlXIWPL" target="_blank" target="_blank

http://www.ebay.com/itm/King-bell-front ... SwAoRXFtmx" target="_blank" target="_blank

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bb-Tuba-Conn-12 ... Sw1DtXHAFt" target="_blank" target="_blank
http://www.ebay.com/itm/CONN-20J-3-VALV ... Sw1DtXH6sQ" target="_blank" target="_blank
http://www.ebay.com/itm/yamaha-ybb201-t ... SwJQdXBbOE" target="_blank" target="_blank
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Besson-BBb-Tuba ... Sw~bFWG8hD" target="_blank" target="_blank
http://www.ebay.com/itm/201571260457?ss ... 1558.l2649" target="_blank" target="_blank

Is there a model name or number for the Reynonds? I've seen the olds 99 but not sure about the Reynonds.

Look at this website;

http://contemporacorner.com/other/" target="_blank" target="_blank

Lots of information on the Reynolds horns.

Steve

1958, 1959 Roth-Reynolds catalogs:


The new Reynolds Contempora Recording Bass adds symphonic richness to the foundation of either band or orchestra. Culminating years of extensive research and development, this new model has been immediately acclaimed by noted band directors and symphony players. The larger size of Reynolds Contempora provides practically unlimited possibilities of solid, rich tone ranging in dynamics from a full fortissimo to a faint whisper in all registers. Lightening-fast action of the valves together with easy response make possible the playing of the most difficult and intricate passages with great facility. The remarkable tone control of the Reynolds Contempora Basses is a result of many years of research to obtain just the right resistance in the air column. Of great importance to the audience during a performance is the breath-taking beauty in the greatness and gracefulness of Reynolds Contempora Recording Basses.


The Reynolds Contempora Tuba with its beautiful pipe organ tone creates a full, yet diffused, foundation for band or orchestra. Popular choice of famous symphony artists, the upright (European style) bell has many advantages. Basically the tuba possesses all of the marvelous playing characteristics of model 170 Reynolds Recording Bass for the body sections are identical. The long, graceful upright bell distributes widely the full, rich Reynolds tone and imparts a thrilling sonority which blends with either brass or strings. With the use of interchangeable bells, it is possible to alter the complete tonal color of either symphonic band or orchestra. Further, the conductor may select the ‘non-directional’ sound of the tuba or the comparatively ‘directional’ tones of the recording model. Reynolds Contempora Tubas are designed to rest safely on the bell in an inverted position.

How about a Martin mammoth 3 valve recording bell $1100

There are great deals out there if you beat the bushes. In the last week I purchased a 70's King BBb model 1240 with recording bell and both cases for $500. Missing some lacquer, the mouthpiece and with a couple of small dents, but was recently overhauled. Plays well.

With some consistent searching and a little luck you should find what your looking for. I found mine on Facebook marketplace, give it a try.

I would recommend the BBb tuba, especially if you have played trumpet, cornet or baritone in the past, they have the same fingering.

my 2 cents FWIW...Good luck

saxophyte,

Are you selling a Martin mammoth 3 valve recording bell for $1100? If so, where are you and can you post photos?

There's a very slim possibility you might find him over in the "For Sale" section, where people post about stuff like that, hopefully with photos. But bear in mind, he wrote that years ago.