How long should a horn take to pay for itself?

[MartyNeilan]

During the relatively brief time I have had my Schillaphone, I have probably made a little less than 1/3 of its cost in strictly tuba-related income. (Close to 1/2 if you count the shipping damage reimbursement I am supposed to be receiving.) Wife says it has not paid for itself; I will most likely sell it if I can get Camp Kirkland to loan me his tuba. In the real world, what is the expected length of time to break even on a horn? (I strongly doubt it is a couple of months.)

[The Big Ben]

More of this, huh?

Humans need food. Tuba players need tubas.

[MartyNeilan]

Just looking for a ballpark answer for when a guy who actually makes a living playing fulltime (definitely not me) buys a horn: - 3 months, 6 months, 2 years, etc.

More of this, huh?

Humans need food. Tuba players need tubas.

Nobody NEEDS a tuba. Even someone at the pinnacle of tubadom like Big Gene doesn't NEED a tuba - the CSO owns the holy grail.

[iiipopes]

NOT AGAIN! AHHHHHHHHH!

[Dan Schultz]

If I had to think about amortizing the cost of a tuba over how many paid gigs I needed to have.... I would most likely never own a tuba. I certainly wouldn't have the horn collection that I have.

Most folks can't justify owning an automobile, either.

Now.... if you want to have a little hedge against inflation.. and make it easier to recover your investment if you ever decide to sell the horn.... buy something besides a no-name clone (was Schiller). Maybe a used Mirafone, King, Conn, or Yamaha.

Marty... Note that I have edited my post. I have no axe to grind with any brand of instruments. I fix 'em all. Buy whatever makes you happy and don't ask for the opinions of others.

[Bob Kolada]

Dude, you gotta put your foot down about your wife and you owning at least 1 tuba (if you listen to her, next it'll be your bass trombone!).

[MartyNeilan]

Now.... if you want to have a little hedge against inflation.. and make it easier to recover your investment if you ever decide to sell the horn.... buy something besides a Schiller. Maybe a used Mirafone, King, Conn, or Yamaha.

Well, every horn I have sold in the last few years I have gotten at least what I originally paid for it; often a few hundred to one thousand more.
Say what you want about the Schiller BBb you worked on (based on my informal research the "Schillbrunners" ALL play very sharp; copied from an A443 Euro pitch horn), but my current CC plays as in-tune as a 186, responds well in all registers, has zero valve issues (unlike a handful of the BBb's), and holds together better at volume than some vintages of the 'phone. I paid under two grand, including shipping. Got a few hundred back due to (readily fixable) damage during shipping. Shouldn't be too hard to get $1600-$1700 for a pro level 5 valve 4/4 CC with great intonation, should it?

[Donn]

Shouldn't be too hard to get $1600-$1700 for a pro level 5 valve 4/4 CC with great intonation, should it?

Could happen, I guess, but the point is, it has to sell on its merits as a player, virtues that you have discovered in it that someone else would not necessarily expect based on the name. That's good for you now, because you have a tuba that works well for you at an economical price. It will work the same way for the next owner, too, because you won't get a lot for it - you can't have it both ways.

[tubatooter1940]

My pathetic (albeit good player) 1940 King paid for itself in three gigs. I will never sell it. I have requested to have it buried with me.
toots

[Steve Marcus]

if you want to have a little hedge against inflation.. and make it easier to recover your investment if you ever decide to sell the horn.... buy something besides a no-name clone (was Schiller). Maybe a used Mirafone, King, Conn, or Yamaha.

Strictly considering the long-term financial value, how would you rate a custom built/cut/grafted/created tuba vs. a no-name mass-produced clone (aka "stencil") and a well-recognized high quality brand name? (Musical and/or sentimental value may be substantial, but as the TV commerical says, a tuba can be considered "priceless" for those reasons. But those attributes are not part of this inquiry.)

[bort]

Tuba is my hobby, I haven't made a cent off of it yet.

How much would you pay for your hobby? $100/month? Then $1,200/year. $50/month? Then $600/year. Etc, etc...

So just decide about your hobby budget, and take it from there...

...but that's just me. It's my hobby and I haven't made a cent off of it yet. Maybe one day...

[Donn]

Tuba is my hobby, I haven't made a cent off of it yet.

You have - you're just not seeing it. How much would have to pay the group you're playing with, to be allowed to sit there and hum the bass line instead?

I'm sure you're thinking `I wouldn't pay them that money to hum the bass line instead!' Of course not - because you have a tuba! And that's how much money it saves you - quite a lot, I bet!

[bort]

Tuba is my hobby, I haven't made a cent off of it yet.

You have - you're just not seeing it. How much would have to pay the group you're playing with, to be allowed to sit there and hum the bass line instead?

I'm sure you're thinking `I wouldn't pay them that money to hum the bass line instead!' Of course not - because you have a tuba! And that's how much money it saves you - quite a lot, I bet!

Huh? I don't get it...

[TubaRay]

Tuba is my hobby, I haven't made a cent off of it yet.

How much would you pay for your hobby? $100/month? Then $1,200/year. $50/month? Then $600/year. Etc, etc...

So just decide about your hobby budget, and take it from there...

...but that's just me. It's my hobby and I haven't made a cent off of it yet. Maybe one day...

An excellent post! Those of us who actually get paid to play are among a very fortunate crowd. We get paid to do what is among our top favorite activities in this world.

[Kayla]

I use my tubas to keep my scholarship, which I am guessing they got paid back in a year. I struck really good deals on both, and didn't take loans out for them.

[ken k]

I think you can deduct depreciation for 7 (?) years as a business expense. From a business perspecitve, it is a capital expense not a recurring one, so it can be spread out over many years. Like I said I believe it is 7 years. I believe the first year you declare 10% of its value, the second year 9%, the third year 8% etc. so it may be 10 years,I forget. I think you can even deduct the full cost of the horn in one year (But only against your music generated income. not sure I am not a tax expert). That would significantly lower your taxes.

How long does it take a plumber to play off his truck?

You have to look at it as a long range capital expencse however not a short term expense like rent or maintenance.

[rocksanddirt]

I think you can deduct depreciation for 7 (?) years as a business expense. From a business perspecitve, it is a capital expense not a recurring one, so it can be spread out over many years. Like I said I believe it is 7 years. I believe the first year you declare 10% of its value, the second year 9%, the third year 8% etc. so it may be 10 years,I forget. I think you can even deduct the full cost of the horn in one year (But only against your music generated income. not sure I am not a tax expert). That would significantly lower your taxes.

How long does it take a plumber to play off his truck?

You have to look at it as a long range capital expencse however not a short term expense like rent or maintenance.

Exactly. If you were running a business, you would figure the 'useful life' and expected maintenance costs, and amortize the cost over that time period to get a monthly or quarterly 'expected income' to cover the capital investment cost. Since the useful life of a decent tuba is upwards of 10 years.....the payback time should be fairly long.

[bort]

Or, the smart-*** answer...

Once the horn turns 18, it's gotta start paying for itself and move out of the house. No more free-rides on papa's dime.

[Bob Kolada]

Or, the smart-*** answer...

Once the horn turns 18, it's gotta start paying for itself and move out of the house. No more free-rides on papa's dime.

What about my 90-year old tubas?

[Dan Schultz]

Or, the smart-*** answer...

Once the horn turns 18, it's gotta start paying for itself and move out of the house. No more free-rides on papa's dime.

What about my 90-year old tubas?

They should be on the 'dole' and Social Security! Probably food stamps and Medicare, too!