Deciding on a tuba...

[MartyNeilan]

A player don’t pick the tubas. Mmm-mm. Tubas pick the player. It’s a mystical bond between man and machine.

[Wyvern]

Although I have grown up in the land of Eb tubas (UK) and have that sound in my blood, I still have no hesitation in saying a CC makes a better all-purpose tuba.

In most works, tubas should provide a solid foundation to the ensemble and a CC is without doubt better than an Eb at providing that, while still being good for solo playing.

I would only suggest going for an Eb if you want to also play in brass bands, then go for a Besson 981, or similar.

[MaryAnn]

Well...I'm guessing you're playing on a school-owned BBb?

If so, and you are *accepted* into a performance major program, a) find out if the school has a tuba you can use, that is decent, and if so, just wait a year; b) talk to the actual tuba teacher, not other high school kids on Tubenet, about what you should do; and c) all else failing, get a 4/4 CC. Used. One you can sell in two years for what you paid for it when you find out that it is not really what you wanted. Your chances of being one of the very few who picks the pefect tuba for life on the first try, are quite slim. Unless you're really lucky and/or smart, every tuba you buy/sell is going to cost you money. The longer you wait, the better chances of your getting *a* tuba that will work for you for at least a few years.

Of course if you're just asking to hear your head rattle, you'll get plenty of rattling material from the TNFJ.

MA, who was one of the lucky few in terms of tuba-picking, but she had excellent advice from pros, and actually took that advice.

[pierso20]

Well...I'm guessing you're playing on a school-owned BBb?

b) talk to the actual tuba teacher, not other high school kids on Tubenet, about what you should do; and c)
MA, who was one of the lucky few in terms of tuba-picking, but she had excellent advice from pros, and actually took that advice.

I'm hoping that this isn't what you meant, but are you saying that we are all high school kids offering advice???????

She is giving you completely valid advice. The important thing to do is to get good advice.

I would also say that the key is to KNOW you will probably sell your first horn. You could get an AMAZING $20,000 wonderful horn and want to sell it in 4 years because you either changed what you wanna do in school or because the horn WASN"T A FIT....and that's the thing...it will really take you a while to learn what is nice for YOU and what isn't. I've played horns that very good players have played and sound great on, but I didn't like the horn. That's because different things for for different people...(I'm not saying I didn't sound good on the horn(s)...just that they wern't my cup of tea as far as sound, ergonomics etc...)

well, girlfriend is calling... gotta go

Again, the key is to get good advice from the right people.

Cheers!

[MaryAnn]

Nope, not ALL of the people giving advice are high school kids, but I bet SOME are.

Just not like ALL posts like this are from trolls, but I bet SOME are.



MA

[tubacrow]

I would suggest you wait for a couple reason

1. while I am sure there are some very fine tuba players on here, but none of us have heard you play nor know you personally. We cannot tell you what horn is right for you unless we have that information, and hear you on a given horn.

2. While you can afford to buy a horn it does not mean you have to buy one right now. My horns were not this first ones I have played, and honestly I do not believe many people would recommend my horn, but it does not mean it is not the horn for me. I know because I have played several horns and would not trade my CC Cerveny for any of them.

I wish you luck on finding a horn, but I would say play several horns in front of many people before I decided on such a large purchase. ITEC is coming up. This might be a good place to talk and play tubas. I know I will be there, and would let you toot a couple notes on mine.

[TubaSailor]

First: I'm not a high-school kid, Pro, or troll..... So FWIW:

There's some good advice here already - the one horn you're going to use more than any other is the contrabass - and you'll probably sell the first one you get, no matter how good it is- simply because you're going to want, and should take, the opportunity to try others. Don't sink a lot of $$ into your first horn, & consider its resale potential (St. Pete’s don’t seem to bring a very good % on resale) - I have a large CC, BBb, and a large F - and the horn I miss having is a smaller CC. I think it would be more versatile and useful than any of the horns I currently own. Best advice I have: listen to everyone – especially your instructors who’ve seen and heard you play, run it all through the common sense filter, play a lot of horns, (the fun part), and try to find the one that will allow you to grow the most before it limits you. (Note: this doesn’t necessarily mean choose the horn that’s easiest for you to play at this stage of your development. – Your instructors can help you find a horn that’s BETTER than you are now – something to grow into!) Good luck -

[k001k47]

A player don’t pick the tubas. Mmm-mm. Tubas pick the player. It’s a mystical bond between man and machine.

Me and the Meinl Weston 2141...
Just don't have the money.

[k001k47]

Well...I'm guessing you're playing on a school-owned BBb?

If so, and you are *accepted* into a performance major program, a) find out if the school has a tuba you can use, that is decent, and if so, just wait a year; b) talk to the actual tuba teacher, not other high school kids on Tubenet, about what you should do.

I've spoken to the professor about this and know that there are tubas to use...

[iiipopes]

It's not necessarily that the horn you buy as a freshman won't be the one you "like" as a senior, but as much as there is still physiological development going on between 18 and 22, so there will be fitting issues along the way as well.

About the buying now and selling two years from now -- 186.

[J.c. Sherman]

I will differ from my collegues, and recommend an Eb.

I grew up on BBbs, but my first tuba purchase was my Eb Imperial. It's still my main horn. Why? It is utterly reliable, in tune, nimble, has some decent weight, and can support most professional ensembles (most of the time, few of us are playing with a 110 piece orchestra). I've even used it with large orchestras.

Your sound, clarity, and perfection are what you will be judged on principally as a player. I believe a large Eb is the best do-all. Yes, my own teacher performed almost exclusively on CC. And I know I have a minority opinion. And I do own a BAT for those - I think - rare situations where that sound is absolutely necessary; but I believe it is not as necessary as many tubists want it to be.

Most colleges have a BBb somewhere, and there is no reason it cannot be a good contrabass for you. But while I think it's perfectly good to get a VERY nimble CC, I just will put in my $.02 for the Eb. Compensating is less complicated too

J.c.S.

[k001k47]

I can't believe I posted this, but not as much as I can't believe reading through some of it thinking "what a stupid topic" without even realizing I was the OP. Eerie the way some pointless searching and poking around the forum led me full circle back to this. A lot has changed in these two short years.

I wonder where that satin finish B&H imperial I was looking at back then wound up. It sold from Dan's -tubatinker- shop.

[katietes]

So after all that, what did you end up doing? Give us an end to this story!!

[k001k47]

So after all that, what did you end up doing? Give us an end to this story!!

I wound up getting myself a YCB 621.