MW Baer

[GJDavis1]

Hey all,

As far as CC tubas go, what is the general consensus on the Meinl-Weston Baer Production and Handmade tubas?
Are they worth the large amount of $$, and what is the aspect that puts them at such a high price tag? Also, on the handmade model, I saw some black looking objects on the valve slides...what are those?

[THE TUBA]

(I think)
The black things are valves are basically to limit the length each slide can be pulled. If you have one or two notes that need adjustment, you can set the length of the string so you can pull the slide out to the exact spot you want each time.

[Peach]

(I think)
The black things are valves are basically to limit the length each slide can be pulled. If you have one or two notes that need adjustment, you can set the length of the string so you can pull the slide out to the exact spot you want each time.

That may be part of it but since the valves are vented those 'strings' also stop slides falling out IF the tuba is on its bell...

[Rick Denney]

As far as CC tubas go, what is the general consensus on the Meinl-Weston Baer Production and Handmade tubas?
Are they worth the large amount of $$, and what is the aspect that puts them at such a high price tag? Also, on the handmade model, I saw some black looking objects on the valve slides...what are those?

The aspect that contributes to the price tag is that Meinl-Weston doesn't make very many of them and they have a right to sell those few to the people willing to pay the most. If they were not worth it, they would not find those people and the price would come down.

I think they are among the best big tubas made right now, not that my opinion counts for much. Apparently, those willing to pay the price agree, at least for the moment.

Whether they are right for any given person, on the other hand, depends on the person, their needs and their budget.

Where did you find a separate picture of the hand-made version? On the picture of the regular 6450, I do see O-rings on the slides, which are there to keep the slide from making noise when pushed all the way in during on-the-fly adjustment. Are those what you are seeing?

Rick "thinking quality and value are different measures" Denney

[Rick Denney]

...what will you be able to sell these lovelies for in the future?

I note that one high-end New York professional has one for sale because he wants to upgrade to the hand-made version.

For the high-end pros, such things are tools of the trade, and they buy according to the formula that suggests the best tool is that which makes it easiest for them to deliver the most marketable product. If enough of those players find the instrument valuable at its price, then Meinl-Weston will be able to sell all they can make. I doubt those players are worried much about the resale price, because the returned value is what they get in use, not when they sell it.

Thus, even if they have zero value in the future, they might have sufficient value for those willing to pay for them to still be a good investment. It's just an investment in their effectiveness as a professional, rather than an investment in their tuba as a collectible. Likewise, an amateur is making an investment in his own enjoyment. For example, if the market for old Bb Holtons suddenly plummeted and mine lost all resale value, that would not bother me at all. I've already gotten my money's worth in enjoy out of the instrument, and continue to reap that profit. It doesn't matter what it's worth--it's not for sale.

Rick "whose tubas have been a better investment than his investments" Denney

[David Zerkel]

I love this tuba. It is the most lively 6/4 I've played... nice colorful sound that leaps from the bell. If I had a need for a 6/4 tuba, this would be the one.

Cheers!
DZ

[The Big Ben]

The thing that worries me about these tubas is the price. If you have to pay $20,000+ for just the tuba...no m.p. or case included...what will you be able to sell these lovelies for in the future? It's one thing to pay $8000 for a new horn and, provided it is cared for, sell it 10 years later for,say $5000. It's quite another to buy a tuba for $22,000 and try to sell it in 10 years for $12,000. That's quite a loss if that is the used value in 10 years.

It's all relative.

If you *need* something that is new which has not been touched by another owner, that's the price you gotta pay.

If you are the guy who is paying $12K for the used, 10 year old horn, it may look like a heck of a deal. That's why, in most everything, I've bought used.

I don't know if a Baer is available used. Earlier in the thread, it was mentioned that a pro was selling his machine-made Baer to get a hand-made Baer. That horn might be available for that hypothetical $12K. You might get lucky and stumble onto a great deal.