Long version -- I'm considering selling my tuba around the 1st of the year to free up some cash (and then I would buy a lesser, and less expensive, tuba to hold me over until a point in my life where I'm able to play more often). It hurts to consider selling this, it's strictly a money thing. I really really really like this tuba.
The tuba is a rare rotary Willson 3050RZ CC, and it is truly an outstanding instrument -- extremely easy to play, a HUGE sound (when you want it), quick response, and solid intonation. There is one nickel-sized spot of plating wear from some kind of work done by a previous owner, and there is one small ping on the top bow. Otherwise, there are no dents and very few signs of wear -- I think it's stunning. Build quality is what you would expect from the Swiss.
It was built in 2000, and was professionally used for most of its life before recently, when it has changed hands here on TubeNet a few times. Before I got this tuba, it was fully serviced and had new (Miraphone) linkages installed. After I got this tuba, I bought a new Götz gig bag for it. Both the tuba and gig bag have left my house exactly once.
My opinion (I've heard this from others too) -- this is NOT just a piston 3050 with rotary valves. Many people complain about a dead and unresponsive sound on the 3050, and that the "feel" for the player just isn't there. I don't think the 3050RZ has that problem at all, and the response and feel are just great, and is just like any other tuba I've owned... except better.
There are only a few minor complaints I have about this:
-- The 5th valve lever should be slightly longer, to make it easier to reach. It's never held me back, but probably something I would have modified at some point. I'm sure it's an easy mod.
-- It's heavy, about 25 pounds. Not a huge problem, and really just a few pounds more than other tubas. But it is a little heavy.
Apart from that, it's just "too much" tuba for me right now, both in terms of physical size and in terms of its value (a brand new one costs nearly $18k).
I have had several unsolicited (and solicited) emails and PMs about this tuba over the past few months, and I have to admit, I've completely lost track of all of them.
Let me know if you might be interested in this great tuba.
The price is $8,000 for the tuba and the gig bag. It's worth mentioning that the gig bag alone cost me almost $450, two months ago.
....but I am very happy right now...