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[itai]

Hi all, First of all I would like to introduce myself.
My name is Itay, a 16 year old Tubist from Israel, Playing in a Concert Band, Different Symphonic bands and sometimes in the Israeli Wind Youth Band. Oh, and I solo of course.
I have been playing Tuba for 7 years and counting, On my school's Cerveny 3/4 683 BBb, with a Yamaha Roger Bobo Golden Symphonic mouthpiece.
Before I start, Please note that I am new to this forum and this is my first post, and I don't really know where to post, but this section looked most logical. (I am truely sorry if this is in a wrong section.)

The Tuba in Israel is a very.. Very tough insturment to buy for your own use, Unless you want to flight to the US or Europe etc'. My grandparents told me that they would like to buy me a proffesional tuba, after alot of searching, I have met this very nice person, which is selling a B&S 4198 GL (Neptune) from about 1995. He offered me to take the tuba on a trail, So I took it for 3 weeks and simply fell in love with it. I have not tried many tubas before, but this one, in my opinion, is a very good tuba, but like I said I'm not a big pro like you guys.
I would like you readers to help me out and tell me if this is a good buy.
As you guys know, the Neptune is a grand orchestral 6/4 C tuba. I havent played anything larger than 4/4 in my life, but after a few weeks it seemed like I was getting pretty used to the size. But my parents are worried that it's too big for me. I already mentioned I'm 16, and my height is approx. 1.8m if that matters. The seller tells me that this Tuba has a different metal than the original Neptune, and another Trigger (It has 2, for the first and second valve). After some researches, this insturment should be around 60k NIS (that's our money here), and he sells it for 32.5, however, it is around 15 years old. It looks like it passed alot, but its condition is good. Here's abit of it:



As you can see, I marked in a red circle the places of the dents on the valves, and the 4th valve repaired. It has a few dents on the bell and on the lower tube, but I don't really care about it. After all, I love its sound.

I really want to buy it but I wanted to take an advise from you guys. Finding another 2nd hand Tuba in Israel, and in this good condition, should take me a long while, and maybe there are even none.

I know my english isn't perfect, after all it's my second language.
Thank you guys, so much, in advance,

Itay

[The Jackson]

Hello and welcome to TubeNet, Itay!

I have never played the Neptune and am not very familiar with it, so I can't help you when it comes to the price. I will post a quick conversion (courtesy of Google), though.

60,000 NIS = $15,557.76 USD
32,500 NIS = $8,427.12 USD

You mentioned that your parents are worried that the horn might be too big for you. Unless you have some kind of medical condition that would somehow weaken you physically, I don't think the horn's large size will be a bad thing for you. There are always ways to get around that. I wouldn't exactly feel comfortable playing a 20J or something like that on my thighs for a while, but a playing stand really helped.

Good luck!

-Jackson

[itai]

What's with that stand? I know how it looks.. but is it like you sit and the stand is right next to you with the tuba on it? Like I'm not holding it on the laps or something? And yeah.. I know Tubas are much cheaper in USA, but there is an 20% tax for those insturments here. That's why I think buying a second hand is smart.

[The Jackson]

A stand would be mainly to help hold the tuba up, should you need it. If the tuba's size, height or anything else makes it uncomfortable to hold while playing a playing stand may help. One would just fit right between your legs when you are on the front part of your chair with a platform to rest the bottom bow on. I like using a stand because my tuba is very small compared to my height, so it makes having good posture much easier to maintain.

It's just a thought and might not even be necessary for you.

[itai]

I see. Thanks for your help. When I had this tuba on trail it really depended on the chair, there were chairs that I couldnt play the tuba on. And there's no tuba stands here, so I'd have to purchuse one without checking..

[scottw]

Welcome, Itay!
This was a very concise and thought-out post. Don't worry too much about your English--there are all too many native speakers who are far worse. Yes, a large horn like that would be a candidate for a playing stand to hold the weight and provide stability for you. As always, I recommend the stand from one of the sponsors here, Baltimore Brass, which sells in America for about $90. This should serve you for many years.
Jonathan, from England, is a Neptune player: perhaps he will chime in?

[termite]

Hello Itay

60,000 NIS = $15,557.76 USD
32,500 NIS = $8,427.12 USD

Off the top of my head this seems like a reasonable price. You might keep it for many years, you might keep it forever.

If your 1.8 metres tall at 16 then I think you're big enough to play any tuba you like.

If you LIKE this tuba then I think you should buy it, especially if there is nothing else around.

Regards

Gerard

[Douglas]

That's not a bad deal. I have a neptune up for sale for $7,000 USD that's in better condition if you want to pay the shipping from the states.

[jeopardymaster]

Welcome Itay. I own a Neptune and greatly enjoy it. I'll let someone who knows repair issues comment on how readily those "knuckle dents" can be remedied, but they appear likely to degrade the horn's playing, so I would want to get them fixed as soon as practicable. I think you'll get some consensus on this site that the Neptune rotary valve horn is very consistent in quality. I also think you'd be wise to look further at Douglas' horn unless you know you can get those dents fixed for a reasonable price. I don't know if you'd have tax or duty issues buying from an individual in the US (?) - maybe that plays into the equation, but I think it's worth checking. By the way, I'm 1.8 meters tall (well, OK, 5'11"), weigh well over 100 Kg, and I'm not a wimp, but I think the Neptune is heavy as hell. I use a stand I bought from WWBW and wouldn't consider NOT using one.

[imperialbari]

In the US players often buy tubas from sellers out of their own state. In Europe players often go to other countries to buy tubas. There are no markets for tubas in the countries around Israel.

I don’t know about how easy access you have to repairmen in Israel, but there should be no lack of competent musicians, even tubists, who could help you evaluate the instrument both by playing it and by inspecting the dents, the wear, and possible other damages.

When I calculate the price I will pay for a used instrument, then I consider the inherent costs of repairs needed. In that light I find the price suggested being on the high side.

Klaus in DK

[itai]

I have already went to a repairman when I had the tuba for an inspection, and he said that the insturment is in a pretty good condition and it doesnt need fixing.

Thanks for the comments guys.

[Wyvern]

Jonathan, from England, is a Neptune player: perhaps he will chime in?

Hi Itay! That sounds quite a reasonable price for a Neptune. One in worst condition would cost more in the UK, although I know they are cheaper in the USA (as are most things!).

If you have tried the Neptune and enjoy its great sound, then I think you would be wise to buy. I am about your height and do not have any problem handling the Neptune. Although a large tuba, it does not require exceptional effort to play to make a superb sound. A playing stand would be a good idea, not only to make easier to handle, but to improve tone. That is something you can easily order from the USA, or Europe.

If those dents do not worry you and do not seem to cause bad intonation, then I would not be too concerned.

Good luck and I hope you enjoy the Neptune as much as I do mine!

Do email me if you require any further information.

[itai]

Thanks alot guys. I've decided to buy it.

[Wyvern]

Congratulations Itay!

You will have to tell us how get on with it. From my experience, you are likely to receive a lot of compliments on the Neptune's tone

[Wyvern]

but I think the Neptune is heavy as hell.

You need to spend a week lifting around Conn Jumbo sousaphone, 2xJ tuba and Martin Mammoth like I just have. After those, my Neptune now seems LIGHT

[itai]

I have purchased the horn. Thank you, people of tubenet.

[nimrod480]

המון מזל טוב איתי,
תתחדש (=,

לא ציפית לזה, אה...

translated -
lots of congrats,
have fun.
you didnt expect to someone write you in hebrew, ah?

[jeopardymaster]

Actually, Jonathan, I owned a 25J that was heavy as heck too. Sold it to another tubenetter - and now he has back trouble. Go figure.

Unrelated - I'm having a George Carlin moment - like when he wondered why you park on a driveway and drive on a parkway. When you enter those Hebrew characters, do they appear on the screen scrolling right to left? Or do you have to write "backwards"?

[Wyvern]

Actually, Jonathan, I owned a 25J that was heavy as heck too. Sold it to another tubenetter - and now he has back trouble. Go figure.

I wonder if that is who I think it is? If so, small world

My point was simply that there are even heaver tubas than the Neptune.

Jonathan "who is wondering if the handmade Neptune he has on order will be lighter"