tizzdizz wrote:I am curious, you wanted the JP179 over the 379? Isn't the 379 supposed to be higher up on the ladder? I tested a 179 in a local shop recently and really was surprised by it. They didn't have a 379 to try though. How was the buying experience overall?
My plan is to get a 3/4-size tuba for strolling, beer tent, and stand-up gigs, and a 4/4 tuba later on for my concert instrument. For a 3/4-size tuba, the 179 looked like the best overall performer for the money.
The buying experience at Laabs was a mixed bag. I called them up to ask some questions and the rep was somewhat impatient on the phone, and wasn't aware of one of the Schiller models I asked about.
I ended up buying mine from them on eBay. That transaction went smooth. The tuba, ordered on the 10th, was at my front door on the 12th.
bort wrote:How much did you pay for it?
Wondering what else you could get for the same money...
I paid just under $1150 for mine, plus $180 shipping. I had a budget of $1500 to work with.
There weren't many good choices.
I watched eBay, TubeNet, and the used tuba listings at Baltimore Brass, Dillon's, and Tuba Exchange for close to three weeks before opting for the Schiller. An 4-valve 3/4 or small 4/4 from Conn, Holton, King, Martin, Olds, Reynolds, and Yamaha that was worth buying never turned up in my price range, and neither did a 3-valve comper from Besson/B&H. A good looking 103 for $1200 from a fellow TubeNet member did come up at the beginning of the search, but I thought I could snag a 4-valve or comp 3-valve horn for $1200 if I just waited. Nope...
I inquired at Custom Music regarding the Sanders Etude, and they are sold out.
I also talked to Matt at Dillon's about the $595 YBB-103 they have there, but it was just too beat up--there were multiple dents on the leadpipe, and that always worries me. It also didn't have a case. With $205 shipping and the cost of adding a case or gig bag, I would've been into that setup for a grand and still would have had dent work to take care of down the road.
The Mack 355L was of special interest. I did phone them and we talked at some length about it. At $1900 delivered, I just couldn't quite swing it.
Ergo, the Schiller.