TubeNet

Ran across a "Caravelle Commuter" BBb tuba on daBay.

It's a small, student 3v toploader with a detachable upright bell. No case and no 'second' bell.

The idea with these was to keep one bell at home and one bell at school. The body would be carried back and forth from school, lessons, whatever.

Looks pretty good for what it is. Lacquer is pretty worn but no big whangs stick out. I suppose a second bell could be made from an old Eb or a baritone. It might be good for someone at $499 Buy it Now.

http://cgi.ebay.com/TUBA-1-2-SIZE-GETZE ... m153.l1262" target="_blank

Remember my 'fish-pond fountain'? Well... that was an old Holton Eb. I dug the tuba out of the pond and fashioned a bell for one of these 'commuter' tubas. Originally, they came with a brass bell that could be kept at school for concerts, etc. ... and a plastic bell that could be kept at home for practice. The body was carried to and from in a case that resembled a small suit case. Here's the one I had:

I posted this because it might fit a need for someone. And, at $500, it's affordable as a beginner tuba. If kept in good shape, it should still be worth that much if a kid stops playing or wants to upgrade to a 186 or whatever.

Fiberglass is not that difficult to work and maybe someone could the bell as a mold for a second fiberglass bell. And, of course, a bell from a former potted plant could be adapted.