Our school has a recording bell King 2341 (?) 4 piston BBb currently on loan to a former student. The recording bell makes the instrument quite loud and pointed, providing a great (relatively) sound, but a little overpowering with a strong player behind it. we are looking at possibly trading or buying an upright bell for it or replacing the tuba. Everything about it is in quite good shape for a 30 yr old instrument. Very few (and minor) dents--the extra padding this student has put into the case has helped quite a lot. Everything moves well and it plays surprisingly well in tune.
If you have played or sold an instrument like this before, I'd like to know what a good asking price would be? We will take it into music stores in the area to have it appraised, I just thought I would appeal to the all-knowing and overtly infallible tubenet community All kidding aside, thanks for your help!
I've been playing a 2341 for the past few years. Mine is silver plated, bell front and from the mid-80's. About 3 years ago I paid $1650 and it came with both cases in fair condition. I have heard that these horns can be both good and bad depending on the horn. I believe that my horn is one of the good ones and I seem to be very comfortable with it. (Although the notorious spit-valve issue will always nag me!) For a high school I would imagine these horns would be perfect unless there is money to burn. "Strong players" as you called them need to learn to control their sound... A different tuba will not change a bad habit and an upright bell will only put the sound in the rafters!
harold wrote:buy another bell for it.
Harold, in another post you said that OBerloh had two of these bells??? I sent an email awhile ago and called about a week ago and got no response from either... I know you guys are busy but I must be on the black list of customers! Are these bells still available? Lacquer or silver? Give us some details...
Those recording-bell Kings last forever, even in a high school. But as soon as you put an upright bell on one the kids start plopping it down a little more hastily each day until the bell is completely caved in. My advice is don't do it unless it is to be in the hands of one very responsible student and nobody else. Instead of spending the $ on the bell, spend a little time teaching the student to play with restraint. Tubas can be played more softly than any other instrument in the band, even with recording bells.
Art Hovey wrote:Those recording-bell Kings last forever, even in a high school. But as soon as you put an upright bell on one the kids start plopping it down a little more hastily each day until the bell is completely caved in. My advice is don't do it unless it is to be in the hands of one very responsible student and nobody else. Instead of spending the $ on the bell, spend a little time teaching the student to play with restraint. Tubas can be played more softly than any other instrument in the band, even with recording bells.
There were two upright bell sizes made for this model. One was about 22.5" in diameter and while visually impressive, is a bit much. The other is a more restrained 19" and that'd be the one that I'd look for.
thedeep42 wrote:If you have played or sold an instrument like this before, I'd like to know what a good asking price would be?
I've done both. If it sounds good and is resonant (which some are not), it'll go for $1600-2400 with an upright bell, depending on condition. I'm assuming it has four valves.
Finding a used upright bell would be worth the trouble--it will add more than it costs to the value of the instrument.
thedeep42 wrote:Our school has a recording bell King 2341 (?) 4 piston BBb currently on loan to a former student. The recording bell makes the instrument quite loud and pointed, providing a great (relatively) sound, but a little overpowering with a strong player behind it. we are looking at possibly trading or buying an upright bell for it or replacing the tuba. Everything about it is in quite good shape for a 30 yr old instrument. Very few (and minor) dents--the extra padding this student has put into the case has helped quite a lot. Everything moves well and it plays surprisingly well in tune.
If you have played or sold an instrument like this before, I'd like to know what a good asking price would be? We will take it into music stores in the area to have it appraised, I just thought I would appeal to the all-knowing and overtly infallible tubenet community All kidding aside, thanks for your help!
If you are thinking of selling to replace it, don't. Why sell this for around $1500 and then spend $4-5000 on a new tuba? You will end up spending more money for little to no incremental value in sound or playing ability. If you really wany an upright bell you should be able to find one. They are much more available than upright bells for other tubas because so many of these were made. Even if you spend as much as a thousand on it, you will have spent significantly less and have a good horn. They don't make them like that any more.
I got to play a King tuba my senior year of high school when the school finally was able to get tubas for concert instead of having to double up with the marching sousaphones, which is 27 years ago. DON'T MESS WITH IT. DON'T SELL IT. DON'T TRY TO "FIX" WHAT IS NOT BROKEN. THEY'RE GREAT FOR HIGH SCHOOL AS THEY ARE. TEACH THEM HOW TO PLAY IT PROPERLY INSTEAD!!!!!!!
Sorry to shout. Now, let me tell you how I really feel....
All kidding aside, thanks for your help!
Are these bells still available? Lacquer or silver? Give us some details...
