bottom bow, so as you'll see on the picture that it's been fixed. So they took the bell off to fix it, hence the relacquered portion where you can take the bell off. And there are few other minor scratches around the horn due to use. And there's a minor dent on the bell. And a small ding on the leadpipe. As much as people can complain about the condition of the leadpipe, I promise you it doesn't affect anything at all. I've played this horn for a year and had no problems with it. You can see the minor ding towards the right on the first picture.
To me, the lower register was stuffy when I first played the horn. But after a month of playing it I got used to it and could project on it. And actually my teacher, Norm Pearson (tuba player of the LA Phil) said if I do false tones from low F, that it sounds just the same out front and projects more so I started doing that. But then that was me. I had 2 other guys that tried my horn for the first time, and it wasn't stuffy to them at all. So, it may not be a problem for you.
As far as the rest of the register, Mr. Pearson said that he hasn't heard a CC tuba with so much color in the mid register in a long time, which I agree with. It's very easy to play, the upper register sings with color as well.
Pitch I don't have to say much. The only time I have to move slides is for the low low D and Db I pull out the 4th valve slide. Rest of the notes on the horn is right on. Of course, as with all horns, it may not seem like it when you play it for the first time, because it all lines up after time of getting used to blowing throught he horn. That's how it was for me. Then it just lines up, and no slide moving.
As far as shipping charges go, if we do it through Amtrak or Greyhound I can't imagine it being more than $100. So that'll be added with the $5400 which will also include the MTS hardcase w/ wheels. It's a good case.
If you have any more questions on details, feel free to ask. I am located in southern California but the tuba's currently in Atlanta, Georgia at Lee Stofer's.
-W
