biding one's time...

[iiipopes]

My motto for purchasing instruments, where possible:
tried and trued, slightly used.

[pierso20]

I could never afford to purchase anything when it's new and fresh.

I think this is the key, right?

Some people are just into the "flavor" of the year.

I also agree, the 1291...great horn. However, we hope as tuba's continue to get built and makers learn more, newer horns will be even easier to play than the previous. The easier the horn, the less work we have to do as players which means more focus on the music, etc. This is probably why 1291 players made the move to other horns. Or possibly just that their "taste" in sound changes.

Sometimes a good 1.0 version can come out, but most new horns are an improvement on at least SOME other model. I can't think about any horns right now off the top of my head that are a complete new and different design than another. This is good because the tuba is still a very young instrument and the makers are still really learning how to make them. There is a tendency for the horns to get better (not always!) as time goes on so it's always worth it to at least try a new horn.

Someday...maybe...I'll be able to buy a NEW NEW horn.........but I'd rather wait a few years for someone to sell off that one minus $3k the orig. price

[Wyvern]

When I chatted to Bob Tucci last year I learned that the B&S PT models are also being continually improved. Often this fine tuning is small and does not result in a publicized new model.

Some on your list, notably the M-W 5450 and 6450 are surely new models, rather than improvements, even if they may incorporate some components from previous models (the usual practice I believe is to use existing components where possible to keep down development costs). The 6450 is noticeably smaller than the 2165.

[peter birch]

the danger is that if you wait for the next best thing, you will never commit to anything, it the same with cars, computers, kitchen gadgets and tubas.
I have my instrument and play it now, and love it, but should I put up with a beat up old instrument whilst waiting for Besson to bring out its Prestige tuba, or Yamaha its Xeno, in case they are better? It just doesn't make sense.
A tuba is a big financial investment (probably the biggest after a house, a family and a car) and the decision should be taken seriously, but it should be taken, and taken in the here and now, if you wait for something better you will wait forever.

[Wyvern]

I think the important point here is to buy a tuba (or whatever) because it is really required and after evaluation of options and not just because it is the latest thing.

I have just bought a new digital camera because I need for photography on a safari holiday. The model I got happens to be the latest model, but I got it because it does everything I require and at a reasonable price - not because it is the latest model.

It is fine to buy used if you can locate what you want, but someone has to buy it new for it to be available in the first place

[jeopardymaster]

Per Neptune: "It is fine to buy used if you can locate what you want, but someone has to buy it new for it to be available in the first place."

All too true. Many thanks, guys, for helping to make this cheapskate's life just a little easier.