Page 1 of 1

VMI C Tuba Charity Sale

Posted: Sat Oct 30, 2004 4:09 am
by stardude82
I actually physically checked out the horn in this listing:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... RK:MEWA:IT[/url]

Apparently, this organization takes horn donations and distributes them to needy schools. The story was that this horn was donated by some one who had played it through school and then moved on to bigger things. After its donations, there wasn't a band director of its beneficiaries wanted a C horn. So they put it on the auction block.

It's a VMI 4 rotary horn in C, I think it's their 3/4 model. In really good shape with the exeption of some odd laquer wear and scratches on the bell section. (Laquer is about 95%) Rotars are great. Can't say how it plays since I didn't have the chance to play on it.

So help out school bands and make sure this horn goes at a fair price.

(I have no affiliation whatsoever with the seller.)

Posted: Sat Oct 30, 2004 11:52 am
by Chuck(G)
Without a detailed closeup, it sure could be one of those Chinese 3/4 Cb tubas--I've played one of these too and was unable to make it play anywhere near in tune--iwth the tuning slide pushed fully in, the open middle-of-the-staff C was about 40-50 cents flat on the sample I saw.

Posted: Sat Oct 30, 2004 3:01 pm
by Normal
bloke wrote:
btw: No money goes to any particular school...Rather (according to the auction), it goes to the "Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation".
I don't know anything about the finances of this group or how much of a donation actually goes to schools. I do know an individual and two schools that this organization has helped in Oregon. The individual is a very talented musician that used the help to attend a music school they never could have afforded. My daughter is in touch with this person so I can verify he is actively making good use of the help.

The two schools I know of had their music budgets cut so they have not been able replace some woefully old beat up instruments. In fact my community band has also donated instruments to one of these schools. We saw a teacher working hard to keep a program running so we did what we could to help.

I guess that before we allude to money donated to this organization not going to schools, that we learn a little about this organization. My experience is that the organization is for real and helpful. I guess that the question to be asked is "is the seller actually Mr Hollands Opus Foundation?".

Posted: Sat Oct 30, 2004 3:32 pm
by Chuck(G)
The seller looks like they're indeed the Mr. Holland's Opus foundation--I've sent an email and will report back if the return email address looks fishy. But they've been on eBay since 2000 according to the ID profile.

I think the larger concern was the pedigree of the horn. I've asked them about certain indicators that would verify the VMI parentage.

Posted: Sun Oct 31, 2004 12:34 am
by stardude82
I actually saw the tuba at the foundation's headquarters. I go to school at UCLA so Sherman Oaks is just over the hill so to speak.

I have no idea how the lady who handles the instrument donations missed the teutonic eagle with the VMI under it. I came ill prepared to take more pics since I just decided to stop by on a whim after class to check out it out and maybe make an ID.

I agree it needs better pics, but it looks fresh out of the box with the exception for some scratches and laquer wear on the bell section.

Posted: Sun Oct 31, 2004 12:42 am
by stardude82
Also, about the Key... I have no actual proof that is isn't Bb, I didn't actually test it out. My guess it could have been cut... I didn't see any signs of this though. I could be what ever band dirrector who tried it out was just wrong and it actually is a Bb instead of a CC.

Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2004 5:36 pm
by Chuck(G)
The seller sent me this image of the bell engraving. It's a VMI all right:

Image

Second Chance Offer

Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2004 3:46 pm
by Gongadin
I bid on the instrument and lost (I wasn't prepared to bid a lot on an instrument I wasn't familiar with) and today I received a message through eBay that the Seller wanted to present me with a Second Chance offer...I could have the tuba for my bid price!
The Seller was not the same one from the actual auction, and the location of the Seller was Singapore, and not California.
I forwarded the message to the REAL Seller....hope she reports the imposter!

Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2004 3:30 am
by stardude82
Anybody on the board, win the auction. I want vindication damn it.