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My 43 y/o self would like to learn to play the tuba, and I’m in need of your expertise in instrument selection. I played sousaphone for three years in middle school and trumpet for a couple of formative years before that some 30 years ago. Currently I poorly play the bass guitar and pedal steel guitar.

I don’t aspire to greatness. Instead I would like to eventually play with a quintet or a small local group of players. Maybe with the Salvation Army during the holiday season. Even with a Mexican music group could be fun.

We will end up retiring in Japan and I’m looking for an instrument that will work well in small groups, has great sound if possible, and one that’s fairly light and easy-ish to carry on the bus and train as driving in Japan isn’t always the best option. I would like an instrument that I can grow with and that if I give it up, that will resale for roughly what I have into it. Something that will take a mute well too as not to drive my wife or neighbors away. I’m unsure of what key would work best for my above goals and I’m open to used or new, lower cost options.

Thanks in advance.

Aaron

I'm no expert, so others will chime in with, perhaps, better information. 8 months ago I bought my first tuba. I bought a Mack Brass 410 CC. I have played in small groups and community bands ranging from 25 to 80. I taught choirs for 15 yrs about 30 yrs. ago but never learned an instrument until 3 yrs ago with a euphonium. I wanted to switch to tuba and I picked the 410 because of price and do-it-all nature. I've been able to play all music thrown at me.
If I were in your shoes and wanting something smaller, I don't think you could do better than the Mack Brass MACK-TU355L. It's got everything you need and at a price of $1,695, I don't think you can go wrong. If you can spend a bit more, the Wessex "Oregon" at $2,995 would be a good choice.

KKORO

I'm no expert on Tubas I've only played a handful of different models, but I've played with a variety of ensemble sizes with a used Miraphone 186 CC (the BBb model would probably work just as well). I've played several small ensemble church gigs, as well as in a 60 member concert band as the only Tuba and it's worked well in both situations. I've seen used 186s in pretty decent condition selling for about $3,000. I'm pretty sure I could sell mine for what I paid for it without too much problem, but I"m not selling. An Eb or F Tuba might also fit your needs well, but I've got no experience with them, so I"m sure someone else will chime in with recommendations along those lines.

johnsonad wrote:I would like an instrument that I can grow with and that if I give it up, that will resale for roughly what I have into it. Something that will take a mute well too as not to drive my wife or neighbors away.

You might be pretty optimistic here. If you're going to pick a tuba with middle school sousaphone for experience, and little concrete idea what you're going to do with it - I'd say, build some flexibility into this plan. Get something cheap and plan to give it away, might be a better bet.

I'll leave the mute business to someone else who's actually used one. I thought they were pretty much limited to orchestra use where the arrangement calls for it, not because tuba players never wish for a way to practice quietly but just because they are big, expensive and some trouble to use.

bloke wrote: > If you really would like to get the most possible tuba for the least possible money, buy an old NOT-worn-out/NOT-beat-up 4-valve detachable bell King, put up with it's awkward size, and put up with the fact that - when assembled - it probably won't fit in any carrying bag.

This same model is also produced as a 3 valve without the 4th valve for way below the staff which you probably won't miss. It can be much cheaper.

Bloke recommends the older King 2341. The 2340 (3v recommended above) is also solid. Newer 1-piece versions of these exist, and are decent also if you can find one used.

An old Conn 4J or 5J are also usually reliable. Those can be found pretty cheap when they show up. They usually have easy intonation. I think this horn would meet most of your requirements the best in that it’s easy to play, durable, and rather compact.

I owned a 186. I liked that horn for what it was. It’s a taller tuba, however.

The old Olds/Reynolds 3 and 4 valve front action horns are similar to the 4/5J. Also a solid deal when found.

Most of these tubas don’t look “cool” like the newer ones do. Aesthetics matter when it comes to pricing.

Edited to Add:

https://www.hornstash.com/shop/Used-Bra ... 083554.htm" target="_blank

I have no affiliation with the above seller, but that is representative of what can be found of the used 4/5J market. A little bit of cleanup and tech work from a competent repair person will give you a horn that is hard to outgrow.

Thank you for the replies so far.

Don, that's not a bad idea either. Any recommendations for a cheap beater that could be a throw away?

Portability on crowded trains is important. Weight is important to me me. If it could weight sub 20 lbs, that would be helpful when I get older. For the guys that recommended the detachable bell King, it would need a great case and be easy to transport by hand. They seem awkward at best.

Matthew, thank you for the recommendations. From my limited reading, I wondered about the 5J. I will keep an eye out for the others you suggested. Looks are not my primary concern.

For the newer Chinese offerings like the Mack Brass 3/4 and Westrex that were suggested, are there any that stand out for reliability, tone and for me, portability? Also, would a YBB-103 fit the bill?

Thanks

The YBB-103 is a decent tuba on a chassis that has proven to be good in other iterations. It’s been a long time, but I don’t remember the 103 having a strong false tone register, although my memory has faded since it’s been a darn long time and I wasn’t an owner of one. I owned the F tuba on the same chassis, and remember it needing all five valves because a low open Bb did not exist on my example.

Otherwise, it’s a good little horn, ok intonation, and quite “portable”. I think there is a Jupiter based on similar specs built with 4 valves, but I have no experience with it. There is a YBB-621, but they cost $9k now and I’d never met an owner of one. Maybe these exist on the used market? No idea.

Based on my limited experience, a used BBb tuba would probably be the best place to start, and it would correlate well to your previous experience. You can pick up relatively nice used BBb tubas with 3 of 4 valves at places like Baltimore Brass and Dillon Music. They will also have much better resale value compared to the stencil horns, aside from being cheaper to begin with. Currently they both have options under $2000.

I managed to pick up my used (emphasis on used) Amati 221 BBb for $600. I had the valves refurbished because whoever had it last reaaaaaaaally had their way with them and messed them up good. That didn't cost me too much and now I have a useable horn that is pretty decent for cheap. I'm not saying you'll have the same luck I did, but you might.

bloke wrote:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1r-wHX8ax18

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1r-wHX8ax18 wrote:Chug-chug-chug. Heave-ho, my lad; be a Big Toot - just like your Dad.

I loved that story when I was a kid. My grandmother called me Big Toot and my sister Little Toot. I never knew if it was from that story or not.

So far, most recommendations have been for older US made instruments.
1. Olds O-99-4 and retooled models
2. Conn 4J and 5J
3. King 2341

I appreciate the recommendations for Baltimore Brass and Dillon Music. As far as music stores goes such as these listed, it there a general trust that the instrument will be serviced to a minimum standard? Is there a standard list of questions to ask when considering a older used instrument?

How about new Chinese tubas?

Thanks

johnsonad wrote:I appreciate the recommendations for Baltimore Brass and Dillon Music. As far as music stores goes such as these listed, it there a general trust that the instrument will be serviced to a minimum standard? Is there a standard list of questions to ask when considering a older used instrument?

How about new Chinese tubas?

Baltimore Brass's owner is a tuba player, and they really are the go-to place on the east coast for all things Tuba. They are very up front about condition, and you can always email or get on the horn to ask for more specifics. As with all used instruments, the condition is taken into account when pricing them. They have world class brass techs on hand to help with any serious issues the instruments might have.

Dillon music is pretty much the same, though their strong point is trombones (Steve Dillon is a trombonist). They do however have tubas, and are equally good at describing them. Definitely email or call with questions. They also have great in house techs to examine and service any serious issues with the Tubas.

Both companies do not sell "junk horns" and they will be functional and have all been play tested. They probably don't give them a full servicing and cleaning when they get them, as those are somewhat costly, and also something many players simply do themselves periodically with water, soap, and a bunch of snakes and brushes. You can always ask what the inside is like.

Regarding the horns made in China, they can be trash, or they can be close to professional level. You get what you pay for, so I would definitely stick to companies like Wessex, Mack Brass, John Packer, and others who work with factories that take quality control seriously. There are some used ones available, but one of the issues with that is that a lot of the tubas never really get exposed to the same term wear that the older used tubas have, so no one really knows how long they will last.

A used U.S., Japanese, or European made tuba (like a Miraphone 186) will maintain value better.

Thank you for the reply Tbones, that was very helpful. Is there an equivalent to Baltimore Brass on the west coast? I'm currently living in central California.

I appreciate you taking the time to respond.

You could try a completely different approach.

Look around at your local community bands. Join one that has an unused tuba sitting in the cupboard. Join them and use their tuba. Put the money saved into lessons. After 12 months you will have a better idea of what your ability is and you should have a good relationship with a teacher. Then look at buying if you want to keep playing.

I'd be happy to help. Call me sometime. (I have a FB page)

Thanks Tony, I sent you a PM via Facebook. Thank you Patrase for the recommendation.

For travel on public transport (especially in Japan) get the smallest tuba available.

A "Tornister" style instrument, based on the back-pack tubas used by the Austro-Hungarian army, may work for you. I think Wessex offers one as "The Mighty Midget" (??)

There was one at Tuba Christmas this year. The owner said it's good for strolling, jazz, and small ensembles generally, but he doesn't use it for bands or orchestras (he has bigger instruments for those jobs - horses for courses).