(CC Tuba) Modified Demo Model Campbell & Mundheim CMCU-540
Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2020 2:07 am
I am posting a self-branded instrument that was delivered from the factory with a minor issue that has since been fixed. However, because of this issue, I am not able to sell it as ‘new.’ Because it is also technically modified from factory condition, I can properly sell it as B or C stock, either. Please let me know if there is an issue with me listing this here. I don’t intend to make a habit of this.
The factory sent it to me with a 4th valve tuning slide that was too long. I had it trimmed, and that’s the end of it. It’s a great tuba, and (new feature!) plays in tune! Photos are in google drive.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/ ... OfGFmCYlIU" target="_blank
This CC tuba is as 4/4 as they come! I’ve compared it favorably in the past to a B&S PT-606P.
This tuba should, quite frankly, satisfy any CC tuba player. The intonation and tone are both excellent; this CC tuba is as professional as any other.
So what, then, is the difference? Materials and build quality. Will this tuba still be kicking after 50 years of consistent use? Probably not. 15-20 years? You bet ya! The silver plating on this tuba is also lower quality than many name brands. One of the effects of this is that the finish will tarnish, and, eventually, wear off quickly compared to name brands.
Most professional tuba players will be more than satisfied with this tuba! Ideal for medium sized ensembles, this model is also ideal for incoming college students. 3-4 tubas of this size in a large university wind ensemble is sure to please!
This tuba has hardly seen any use; it really should be listed as ‘New.’ I am listing it as used because this particular tuba had an issue with the fourth valve tuning slide being too long (which has since been corrected). Here is a message I wrote recently to a customer that inquired about this instrument:
“Hi,
Here’s a little more info on that tuba.
This is a 4p + 1r CC tuba that’s similar in size to a B&S PT 606. Say.. 4/4 to 4/4+ size. Very flexible, good this and that.
I started a business with my uncle around 2.5 years ago called Campbell and Mundheim. We primarily sell used low brass instruments, but around a year ago we released a line under our own brand.
The company is not necessarily active currently.. my uncle had to undergo a series of treatments for his cancer this past Fall, and then Coronavirus hit.. so that may be a clue as to why you haven’t heard of us.
Anyway! This was our ‘show horn’. We showed this horn at the Texas Bandmasters Association convention last July, and got great feedback.. mostly.
One man was so enamored with it that he asked if he could play it in a concert.. happening in just one hour! He was clearly a stand up gentleman and a professional tuba player (not to mention a potential buyer). We let him borrow the horn for the concert.
He came back with an apologetic look on his face. He told us flat out that he could not buy the horn in its current condition. He loved it when demoing it in front of our booth.. but he opened the first piece of the concert with a D below the staff.. and it was way out of tune (I imagine it was much more noticeable when playing it as a long note with the ensemble than when he was playing it alone). It turns out that our factory made the fourth valve slide almost two inches too long.
Immediately once we were back in town, I contacted the custom instrument guy that I knew best, but we was too busy at the time to accept the job. This instrument was neglected for the next several months while I worked on other projects.
Just recently, he finally started on the job, and now the tuba is supposed to be done tomorrow.
I’d like to get $2,750 + the cost of shipping for this tuba. That’s roughly the amount of money that I have invested in it. I have some pictures, but I could probably also get you a video if you’re interested.”
******************************************
Original Retail Description:
Remarkably Versatile full size CC tuba! The Campbell & Mundheim CMCU-540 is very flexible in all registers, with a particularly solid low F. This instrument is great for college students or particularly advanced high school students that are looking to get a head start learning CC tuba.
Specs:
- Bore size: 0.775” (19.7mm)
- Bell diameter: 17.625” (448mm)
- Size: 4/4
- Height: 34” (864mm)
******************************************
I have added new pictures taken in better lighting. All of the outside pictures shown here are after I thoroughly polished the instrument.
The factory sent it to me with a 4th valve tuning slide that was too long. I had it trimmed, and that’s the end of it. It’s a great tuba, and (new feature!) plays in tune! Photos are in google drive.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/ ... OfGFmCYlIU" target="_blank
This CC tuba is as 4/4 as they come! I’ve compared it favorably in the past to a B&S PT-606P.
This tuba should, quite frankly, satisfy any CC tuba player. The intonation and tone are both excellent; this CC tuba is as professional as any other.
So what, then, is the difference? Materials and build quality. Will this tuba still be kicking after 50 years of consistent use? Probably not. 15-20 years? You bet ya! The silver plating on this tuba is also lower quality than many name brands. One of the effects of this is that the finish will tarnish, and, eventually, wear off quickly compared to name brands.
Most professional tuba players will be more than satisfied with this tuba! Ideal for medium sized ensembles, this model is also ideal for incoming college students. 3-4 tubas of this size in a large university wind ensemble is sure to please!
This tuba has hardly seen any use; it really should be listed as ‘New.’ I am listing it as used because this particular tuba had an issue with the fourth valve tuning slide being too long (which has since been corrected). Here is a message I wrote recently to a customer that inquired about this instrument:
“Hi,
Here’s a little more info on that tuba.
This is a 4p + 1r CC tuba that’s similar in size to a B&S PT 606. Say.. 4/4 to 4/4+ size. Very flexible, good this and that.
I started a business with my uncle around 2.5 years ago called Campbell and Mundheim. We primarily sell used low brass instruments, but around a year ago we released a line under our own brand.
The company is not necessarily active currently.. my uncle had to undergo a series of treatments for his cancer this past Fall, and then Coronavirus hit.. so that may be a clue as to why you haven’t heard of us.
Anyway! This was our ‘show horn’. We showed this horn at the Texas Bandmasters Association convention last July, and got great feedback.. mostly.
One man was so enamored with it that he asked if he could play it in a concert.. happening in just one hour! He was clearly a stand up gentleman and a professional tuba player (not to mention a potential buyer). We let him borrow the horn for the concert.
He came back with an apologetic look on his face. He told us flat out that he could not buy the horn in its current condition. He loved it when demoing it in front of our booth.. but he opened the first piece of the concert with a D below the staff.. and it was way out of tune (I imagine it was much more noticeable when playing it as a long note with the ensemble than when he was playing it alone). It turns out that our factory made the fourth valve slide almost two inches too long.
Immediately once we were back in town, I contacted the custom instrument guy that I knew best, but we was too busy at the time to accept the job. This instrument was neglected for the next several months while I worked on other projects.
Just recently, he finally started on the job, and now the tuba is supposed to be done tomorrow.
I’d like to get $2,750 + the cost of shipping for this tuba. That’s roughly the amount of money that I have invested in it. I have some pictures, but I could probably also get you a video if you’re interested.”
******************************************
Original Retail Description:
Remarkably Versatile full size CC tuba! The Campbell & Mundheim CMCU-540 is very flexible in all registers, with a particularly solid low F. This instrument is great for college students or particularly advanced high school students that are looking to get a head start learning CC tuba.
Specs:
- Bore size: 0.775” (19.7mm)
- Bell diameter: 17.625” (448mm)
- Size: 4/4
- Height: 34” (864mm)
******************************************
I have added new pictures taken in better lighting. All of the outside pictures shown here are after I thoroughly polished the instrument.