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I've been looking at it as well.
Thought if the big Conn couldn't have it's flat play solved I might have to invest in it for my son.
Still not sure I shouldn't invest anyway.

I have played enough Martins to know that the Martin does not have that problem. However, I would hesitate to recommend this particular instrument for a school boy...

Bloke, my particular school boy (although only 13) stands 6'1" and weighs in at over 145 pounds.
Would that make any difference?[/quote]

...unwieldiness, non-conformity, lack of a 4th valve (if you're buying a tuba...), a "poofy" sound - no matter what (which could mask faulty tone production in a student player), (in spite of their size) not the world's greatest low register on these...more?

Oh, Would this apply to the Martin, or would a 3 front valve King (on ebay) hold the same problems?[/quote]

If you are refering to this king:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 71447&rd=1

I would say no, it wouldn't have the same issues. This is a King model 1240, a 3 valve version of the horn that became the 2341. The risk with buying an older horn, like this, on ebay is that you don't have a chance to play it. I would count on having to have the valves replated and fit at a cost of around $400 or more. The bell rim also looks a little rough, although it's hard to tell in the photos. If this was in good playing shape I would say that it's one of the better model horns you could go with.

This one is better:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 17202&rd=1

but he's asking too much for a 3 valve horn in my opinion, even with 2 bells.

Here one at a more reasonable price:

http://www.1800usaband.com/htmls/itemen ... tryid=8266

I think you would be better off buying something like this:

http://www.1800usaband.com/htmls/itemen ... tryid=4846

It will cost a little more, but would be a good horn for a middle school, even into high school student.

I know what you're saying, but that seems to be about the, non-eBay, going rate these days for even a 3 valve used tuba in this condition. I think he'd be hard pressed to find a playable horn for that much less, even with only 3 valves, from a reputable source.

On the other hand, there is the similar Conn 11J available here (scroll to the bottom:

http://www.wichitaband.com/used2.html

or for a little more the Walter Sear here:

http://www.dillonmusic.com/Used_Instrum ... tartPos=25

Either way he'd be getting a horn from a shop that will stand behind what they sell, and will give the real story about the condition.

You guys are all over me on knowledge.
Thanks.