*Sold* B&S/VMI 101 "Sonora" BBb with gig bag $2195

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WakinAZ
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*Sold* B&S/VMI 101 "Sonora" BBb with gig bag $2195

Post by WakinAZ »

*Sold* B&S/VMI 101 "Sonora" 4v BBb tuba with Protec gig bag $2195

This is a VMI 101 stencil horn made in East Germany, probably back in the 1960s or 1970s. I bought this from Dan Schultz, and he converted the old worn 'S' linkages to the nice DuBro setup.
Very nice raw brass patina. There are a couple patches on the tubing but overall it looks very nice. Virtually dent and ding free. There are some solder joints that show, but it just kind of adds to the vintage look.

Cosmetics aside, this is the best playing example of this style horn that I have played.
Scale is great, usual adjustments one needs to make for a rotary valve BB flat tuba.
Low end is great, as are the middle and high.

Valves are quick, have a good compression, and relatively quiet for a horn that's probably about 40-50 years old.
Takes an American shank mouthpiece. (This is like a Bach shank or Conn Helleberg shank.)
I have been using a PT88 'S' shank with good results.
Everyone who sees and hears this horn just loves it. Classic German tuba sound. My conductor and other non-tuba players are always like "what is that horn?" "oh cool, yeah sounds great."

The Protec gig bag is in excellent condition. Probably only a year-and-a-half old or so.

Pictures here:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/scZiF2b1cDaNMJh19

This tuba has a 16.5 inch bell, .750 in bore, and is approximately 43-44 inches tall. The last picture in the Google album shows it next to a Rudolf Meinl 5/4 BB-flat, so you can see it is a full size tall 4/4 tuba.

$2195 OBO, $175 ground shipping by GPX to CONUS only. Tuba will be shipped in an old crummy hard case that is good basically just for shipping. I will ship the gig bag separately by USPS ground.

Payment by PayPal only.

This tuba is located in Tucson, Arizona, USA.

Selling because I just bought a new horn, and being a community band duffer, I really don't need two tubas.
Last edited by WakinAZ on Mon Jan 28, 2019 8:51 pm, edited 5 times in total.
Levaix
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Re: B&S/VMI 101 "Sonora" BBb tuba with gig bag $2395

Post by Levaix »

Major deja vu!!! I bought my (nickel plated) Sonora from WakinAZ years ago. Complete with Pro-Tec gig bag and crummy hard case! The fact that he got another one should tell you all you need to know about these tubas. (Dan Schultz was also the one who advised me to jump on the last one.)

Is that the Rudy that was for sale in NC? Either that or an Alex is just about the only thing I would consider "upgrading" to at this point. And it's mostly just for having something bigger. Handmade East German tuba for under 2500... You really can't do better than that.
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WakinAZ
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Re: B&S/VMI 101 "Sonora" BBb tuba with gig bag $2395

Post by WakinAZ »

Glad you're still enjoying your Sonora, Levaix.
The Rudy was on loan from a colleague, not sure where he got it.
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Re: B&S/VMI 101 "Sonora" BBb tuba with gig bag $2395

Post by WakinAZ »

Bumps-giving..
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Re: B&S/VMI 101 "Sonora" BBb tuba with gig bag $2395

Post by WakinAZ »

Anyone?
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Re: B&S/VMI 101 "Sonora" BBb tuba with gig bag $2195

Post by WakinAZ »

Bump for price drop. I'll keep this up a couple more weeks and then it's off to the auction $ite. Please spare us both the extra expense and indignity of dealing with the auction site.
Happy Festivus.
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Re: B&S/VMI 101 "Sonora" BBb tuba with gig bag $2195

Post by WakinAZ »

Bump for Bobby..
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Re: B&S/VMI 101 "Sonora" BBb tuba with gig bag $2195

Post by dobiefeld »

:-)
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Re: B&S/VMI 101 "Sonora" BBb tuba with gig bag $2195

Post by alexballantyne1 »

still available?
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Re: B&S/VMI 101 "Sonora" BBb tuba with gig bag $2195

Post by alexballantyne1 »

Really hoping its not at some auction house!
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Re: B&S/VMI 101 "Sonora" BBb tuba with gig bag $2195

Post by WakinAZ »

Yes, this tuba is still available. P.m. me if you need more information or would like to discuss purchasing it.
**If this horn becomes unavailable, I will update the ad.**
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Re: B&S/VMI 101 "Sonora" BBb tuba with gig bag $2195

Post by alexballantyne1 »

PM sent
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Re: B&S/VMI 101 "Sonora" BBb tuba with gig bag $2195

Post by WakinAZ »

PM replied, thanks.
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*Sold* B&S/VMI 101 "Sonora" BBb tuba with gig bag $2

Post by WakinAZ »

**Sold**
Danke,
Eric
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