TubeNet

Hi Tubenet,

I'm looking for a beginner horn for one of my students. We're looking under the $2000 range! Whatcha got?

Conn 11J
http://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-CONN-11J-T ... Sw5l5ZnjaP" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank
Conn 48J?-being sold by a forum member
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-1923-CG ... 0011.m1850" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank
Conn 12J
http://www.ebay.com/itm/CONN-12J-3-4-SI ... 0009.m1982" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

Miraphone 186
If you want something a little more high-end; I don't know how much a beginner needs a 186 but even fixed up this would probably come out to less than $2k for playable condition, even nicer. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Repair-Man-Spec ... 0009.m1982" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

pm sent

Give a little bit more information about your beginner.

Some tuba beginners have a few years experience on another brass instrument, usually a trumpet but not excluding the other brass instruments.

Others are starting from scratch with no experience reading music, counting notes and making sounds that are in tune. This kind of beginner needs a competent horn which actually can be played in tune (no leaks, worn valves) and fits the player's ergonomics. If possible, a small player should have a small horn. One of the Chinese 3v, upright valve BBb would be good as well as a King 1140 and whatever the equivalent horn is by Conn or Yamaha.

If interested, I have an older Miraphone Standard Perinet which is a BBb 3 upright valve instrument. It is in good shape and plays well. It is about the same size as the other 3 upright valve BBb beginners horns from the other namufacturers.Compared to the Chinese horns and even the King horn, this is an overbuilt instrument. It has extra ferrules at the ends of the slide tube and small guards and reinforcement in various places which out make it much more expensive new than the other horns. Miraphone has not built them for a number of years and I would guess the reason why is that they could not sell them for a price competitive with the other brands because it is too expansive to make. It was also built in a 4v model that is occasionally seen. You would get a appropriate mouthpiece but no case. I could supply it in the $500 range plus shipping. I am in the general Seattle, WA area. I hadn't considered selling it until I saw your request so don't have any photos at the present time. If you are interested, I can take some photos and send them to you. Send me a PM here.

largobone wrote: Conn 12J
http://www.ebay.com/itm/CONN-12J-3-4-SI ... 0009.m1982" target="_blank

Sorry, this is a cockroach which would cost way too much to repair to be financially be a good idea.

Miraphone 186
If you want something a little more high-end; I don't know how much a beginner needs a 186 but even fixed up this would probably come out to less than $2k for playable condition, even nicer. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Repair-Man-Spec ... 0009.m1982" target="_blank

Another cockroach. They are asking $1200 for this beater. It cannot be repaired to reasonable usable condition for $800. Maybe $2K if the shop owner doesn't throw you out onto the sidewalk for bringing in such a cockroach and expecting the shop to work on it. That would be a total cost of $3200. Don'r underestimate the cost of a complete overhaul for an instrument which has been thrashed to within one inch of its life. A decent used 186 can be had for about $2000-3000 with maybe only a minor repair or two needed. One of the 4/4 Chinese clones can be bought as low as $1800 and they are new with a warrantee.

I have two reconditioned B & S 'Sonora' four rotor BBb tubas for sale. Dent free raw brass. No cases. Very good horns for about any level of playing. $1,800 each plus shipping.

The beginners dream horn. Conn 10J's are so easy to handle and are very in tune and are capable of a surprisingly bigger sound over the 12J due to the .695 bore.

$400 no major dents
http://m.ebay.com/itm/Conn-10j-Tuba-/18 ... Ciid%253A1" target="_blank

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=83219" target="_blank YBB 103. Big sound for the size. On the more expensive side but a great horn. MW 20 viewtopic.php?f=4&t=83537" target="_blank St. Pete 202. Good horn for the price. viewtopic.php?f=4&t=83431" target="_blank

"The beginners dream horn. Conn 10J's are so easy to handle and are very in tune and are capable of a surprisingly bigger sound over the 12J due to the .695 bore.

$400 no major dents"
http://m.ebay.com/itm/Conn-10j-Tuba-/18 ... Ciid%253A1" target="_blank" Ditto! 10J's are great student horns. :tuba:http://www.ebay.com/itm/CONN-BBb-TUBA-L ... 2763.l2649" target="_blank" This 10J has a case with it.

Here's a good looking Conn 5J 4 valve that appears to be all there even though the seller lists it as "parts only". A good going over by a repair tech would have this thing playing perfect.

http://m.ebay.com/itm/Conn-5J-Series-4- ... iid%253A11" target="_blank