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Ok folks,

I just want to know the opinion of those who've used these small horns and what they really think of 'em. Pros, cons, the whole nine yards.

Thanks in advance.

For a one horn college student, i think it would be an excellent choice.Price tends to be right too...

I had one. I sold it. Now, I wish I had it back. For me, it was not a good primary CC Tuba because it is too small. But for quintets and most other real world gigs it is a great horn.

I have a 3J CC in silver. It is a great small horn. It plays very well in tune and is wonderful for quitet and small group work. It will almost hold its own in a band or orchestra situation but I also have a Miraphone 1290 for band, orchestra and other large group work. I have used the 3J for recording because it has a very good sound and the intonation is great. This horn also works well for solo work. It is a good horn for a college student.
Unfortunatly even though it has a large bell it will never sound like a BAT.
Go for it, Phil

I played on a 3J all through college (undergraduate and graduate). I used it for lots of solo playing, band, and orchestral playing. It is an incredibly "player-friendly" instrument in terms of response and intonation.

The only place it ever limited me was in orchestral playing. I borrowed a larger school-owned tuba when we did Planets, and Prokofiev's 5th.

On everything else, though, the 3J was more than adequate for the (large) orchestra. When I had conversations with my tuba professor (who owned a 2J) about the issue, his opinion was that for the most part, college orchestras aren't the Chicago Phil. Of course, every music major in the country thinks "their" college orchestra is the greatest thing since sliced bread. In my opinion, unless or until you hit the professional scene, a 2J or 3J is adequate for most ensemble situations.

Incidentally, in my very limited experiences, the 2J can be a slightly better horn than the 3J.

I've known several former owners who had sold them - all of whom regretted having done so.

I bought a 2j demo for my first horn right out of college and had it for 20 years or so. It played wonderfully in tune and very easily. That being said, I'm not an inherently loud player and had problems being heard in some situations. I ended up trading horns with a big guy that was a blaster who had an older 184 and we both had what we needed. He still owns the horn, along with a great sounding 56j. The 184 is long gone and was followed by a parade of various Miraphones and others(now with nice older piggy).

Ike