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My son will start high school in August and he will need a practice tuba (since transporting a tuba to and from school daily would make him carpool-ineligible). Based on teacher recommendations, we prefer a four-valve rotary full-size tuba. Functionality, sound, and condition are primary concerns over appearance and cosmetics. Favored manufacturers include (but are not limited to!) Miraphone and Yamaha. We prefer to avoid Asian-manufactured horns.

Since this will be used primarily as a practice instrument for our incoming ninth grader, we have budgeted up to $2,000.

We would love to trade or sell his King three-valve 1135 in functional playing (but not beautiful!) condition.

Please reply if you have a tuba or know of a tuba for sale that might work for us. Thank you!

She's in Florida.

Take your time; play the 3 valve horn and play it like nobody ever played a three valve horn. You will find what you're looking for if you're patient. The cost of a playable instrument seems to be going down gradually anyway.

Here are some options:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/King-BBb-4-Valv ... OSwPc9Wx4R~" target="_blank" target="_blank
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-1960s-K ... SwAuNW7HTL" target="_blank" target="_blank
http://www.thevillagetinker.com/horns_for_sale.htm" target="_blank" target="_blank (King 4 valve)
http://www.mackbrass.com/4_BBb_Tuba_5ROU.php" target="_blank" target="_blank BBb tubas

I dont think you csn get a miraphone or yamaha with 4 rotary valves for $2000

Neither are 4 valve or rotary but these are 2 of my horns I have for sale. Both play great. The Olds is in almost new condition. The 3rd listing on here is not mine but is over in the Miami area. I remember seeing a miraphone on here or ebay up around Orlando. http://fortmyers.craigslist.org/lee/msg/5524612813.html" target="_blank" http://fortmyers.craigslist.org/lee/msg/5494734825.html" target="_blank" http://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/msg/5468827542.html" target="_blank" I do have a good Cerveny 861 4 valve rotary I might consider selling. It is not a pretty horn (but not the worst I've seen) but I have gone through it, knocked out the bigger dents and it plays well. Found it, here is the Orlando Miraphone. viewtopic.php?f=4&t=69625" target="_blank

Thank you all for sharing potential tuba options!

Miraphone and Yamaha have been the most frequently recurring names that have been recommended to us, but we would consider purchasing from any manufacturer. The sound, condition and play-ability of any particular horn would be key.

Our son has been playing a four-valve piston tuba that we have rented through his school for the past three years. His current band director as well as his (soon-to-be) high school director prefer a BBb four-valve rotary practice instrument. We do realize that our budget amount may not mesh with our preferred tuba specs. Sure, we would like to get the best sounding horn in great playable condition. Finish, dents, dings, etc. are not important as long as they don't affect how the horn plays.

I'm not sure about suppliers near you, but a new Tiger tuba would be in the price range you're looking at. I have played one, they play fantastic, lightweight and durable, and the inner workings are all made of stainless steel. For a practice instrument at home, a great option.

Try a google search for tiger plastic tuba.

dasanchezr wrote:I dont think you can get a miraphone or yamaha with 4 rotary valves for $2000

Schlepporello bought an ugly but very playable Yamaha YBB-641 (4 rotor valved BBb) at a local thrift store where he lives. That was a fluke, but bargains are where you find them. Let your friends who frequent thrift shops and pawn shops know what you're looking for. You never know what might turn up.

S.G.F. wrote:I'm not sure about suppliers near you, but a new Tiger tuba would be in the price range you're looking at. I have played one, they play fantastic, lightweight and durable, and the inner workings are all made of stainless steel. For a practice instrument at home, a great option.

Try a google search for tiger plastic tuba.

If you go this route I have a Tiger I'd sell for $800 in FL.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/201558493093?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT" target="_blank

I have a couple that might be right for your son:

http://galvanizedjazz.com/tuba/4sale/TubasForSale.html" target="_blank

-Art-

Art Hovey wrote:I have a couple that might be right for your son:

http://galvanizedjazz.com/tuba/4sale/TubasForSale.html" target="_blank" target="_blank

-Art-

That Meinl Weston would be a GREAT practice horn. They are built like tanks too. I have a friend with one similar to Art's and it has a wonderful sound. I'd buy it but I don't want the other half to shoot me.

I live in Bradenton, Fl. I have a BBb, 4 valve (piston) Amati 4/4 tuba for sale. Asking $1200.00. Plays good, has a few dents. Comes with a nice "gig bag".

Thank you to everyone who has responded to our need for a tuba! We have located and purchased a great tuba.

Thank you, TubeNet!!