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In my years of teaching so far, I've only been able to purchase 1 tuba, a 3/4 top action used Besson. I believe I paid $1000 and it was well worth the cost for my small 2nd year student to use. I much prefer the 103 front action style and for a horn such as you've described and posted a picture of, I would like to say $1500, but there are too many factors out of my hands to give a solid answer. I had one school that would not allow me to purchase used instruments, no matter the depth of the refurbishment done, where another trusted my judgement that the instruments I put on PO's were quality and would be a good value to the school.

Left up to me and me alone, I would stand by my price of up to $1500 for a used/refurbished tuba that had been gone over by Bloke, Dan, Lee, Taylor Music, or any other reputable shop such as these.

Would retired band director work for you? If so, I will tell you that I always tried to buy good, reliable, brand-name instruments over new ones. Much better value every time. Sometimes I was able to just that, but much of the time, the state bid list required 3 quotes on the same instrument make and model, almost impossible when dealing with used. Much of the difference had to do with where the funds came from: some were flexible, some the state list. A lot has to do with the boss, how much he/she trusts your judgment and how willing they are to work a little harder to arrange the paperwork properly to get value.

Since the local stores here are asking about 3k for a new Yammy 105 (the top action one), I think a "bloked" 103 with case should easily fetch 1500 dollars. Were I in need of a good small tuba for my school program, this would be my choice of instrument and I think the price is more than fair.

The last time I bought from you, if you remember I ended up getting 2 Weril 4 valve BBb 3/4 horns, If my school had given me the option, I would have bought 3 or 4 used Yamaha 103's. My experience in larger schools is that new is better than used, even if I preferred the used option.

In the little school I'm at now, the used option is the only option.