TubeNet

Starting in September I will be an assistant in Germany for a year. I will be helping out with students in their dorms, with English, Latin, math, music, and anything else they ask of me.

So my question is, does anyone have advice for what to do with my tuba while I'm gone? My options are:
1: bring it with
2: sell it
3: lend it to my school for other students

Option 1 will be expensive, but then I would know that I'd have access to a tuba while I'm there as I would want to continue playing. Option 2 would earn me some money, but could cost more in the long term if I purchase another tuba when I return to the states, and option 3 is the simplest, but I'd still not have guaranteed access to a tuba, plus I wouldn't have extra funds from selling the tuba. I would, however, be doing something nice for my music department, but at the risk of a student damaging it or something.

I'm not a professional musician, nor would I even consider myself much of an amateur, but I've been playing and taking lessons at my college for the past few years and would like to continue to play.

So TubeNet jury, any advice?

I would avoid bringing the tuba across the pond twice. Partially for reason of the costs of transportation, partially for reasons of security for the instrument. And then there is the potential bad situation coming from bad paperwork that first Germany and then the US will collect duty, import taxes, and VAT at the entry and reentry in the said countries.

If you are happy with your tuba don’t sell it and don’t give it out for a school to use. If at all possible store it in a safe and dry place after oiling and greasing it thoughly.

Try to become a member of a local German band that will loan you a tuba. Could even be a band at the school where you are going to work. Start planning for that option already now.

Klaus, who is not even a so-called jury member

Dubby, I have no recommendation to you regarding whether you should bring your tuba to Germany. However, you will have no need to worry about customs tarifs or taxes if you fill out CBP Form 4457, Certificate of Registration for Personal Effects Taken Abroad. This form must be filled out in person at any customs office with the items in your possession for inspection by a customs official. The form needs to be filled out only once and is valid for any number of trips for as long as you own the items listed.

I have used this form many times with commercial photography equipment and it is a routine procedure.

Hup

This is an opportunity to by a tuba in Europe and take it back with you.
Don't lend out your tuba to a school unless you don't care about it.

bloke wrote:I might suggest asking to leave it in the attic of a trusted friend's home.

Consign it to a music shop with a ridiculous price on it.

It will still be there when you get back!!

Thanks for all of the advice. I think what I will end up doing is selling it prior to leaving. I love the horn, but it's a Mack 410 that isn't uncommon. I wouldn't expect trouble selling it and then if I don't find something in Germany, buying another one when I arrive back.

In what area of Germany are you going to teach?

Retail selection also in Germany is very unevenly distributed.

Klaus

Klaus, I will be in Windsbach near Ansbach in Bavaria.

I can’t tell precise distances from Google Earth, but it looks like Treppendorf isn’t too far to the north of Winsbach.

There you will find Thomann, which is said to have the largest selection of brass instruments anywhere on this planet. They mostly do web sales, but also have a large retail section, where instruments may be tested.

Aside of a pBone I haven’t bought brass instruments from them, only plucked strings instruments. They are not the cheapest sellers in everything related to musical instruments. But if you go there with a cunning friend, you should be able to find something reasonably good.

Klaus

My germany experience is in the late 90's-2012. The chinese tuba's were in germany before they were in the USA, so they are easy to find over there, and, there seemed to be a decent supply of run of the mill B&S BBb and 4 valve F tubas under all of the names we know, 'Weltklang' was the one I had but there were many around. Also, and especially in the area you may be near, were a lot of community bands that owned tubas. When I lived in Dresden in 99, I just played the horns they had at the band and left mine at home. When I left Germany, I sold my Cerveny and my 'Weltklang' and brought home my B&S perantucci PT 20 which was my horn for 10 years.