Just another repairman question about convertion

[bigbob]

Hi everybody, I've been trying to save money for a BAT CC horn but with only a couple of thousand I think it will take me another 4 years to get the kind of money it takes to buy one!! I so wanted that 5 valve holton 345 that went very quickly or that great alex!!! so now that you know I'm broke...<s> I'll ask the question... What is the easiest BAT BBb to make into a CC I have seen some great deals on big martins and 21 and 25 J'S that are in my current price range and I don't have to trade my other horns unless someone wants my 1945 BBb Sousy<s> soooo with the right horn is it cheaper to convert a BBb or should I wait the 3 or 4 years to get my BATCC??? ( of course I'll be 70 by then,<s>) BB

[Lew]

I am not a repairman, but I have bought and sold a lot of tubas. In my experience, unless you are a repairman and can do the labor yourself, it would be unlikely to pay less for someone to convert a BBb into a CC then it would be to just buy one. It would probably also be cheaper to find someone selling a horn that has already been converted than to pay for someone to convert one for you.

[JHardisk]

An even simpler answer would be just play it in BBb. Why the need to cut it to CC? If you're not satisfied with the amount of valves, add another.

[bigbob]

Thanks John,I think that all the time!!! but I have played CC for 30 years and at 66 I feel it would be very hard to try to remember CC and BBb if I felt I could then I have my big sousy I could play or buy one of those BAT ebay horns... EBAY by the way has a beautiful silver Holton 345 for under 6000<s>...................................................BB

[bort]

I am not a repairman, but I have bought and sold a lot of tubas. In my experience, unless you are a repairman and can do the labor yourself, it would be unlikely to pay less for someone to convert a BBb into a CC then it would be to just buy one. It would probably also be cheaper to find someone selling a horn that has already been converted than to pay for someone to convert one for you.

Not to mention cutting a good BBb does NOT necessarily mean it will make a CC. I agree, it might be tough to learn a new "trick" at that age, but why not maybe get over to Dillon's and try a bunch of stuff out, including BBb tubas (of any size). It might not be as hard as you think. Or, it might be exactly as hard as you think (though I hope not!

[bigbob]

It makes my head hurt Bort..<S>but going and trying different horns is something I would love at eather Dillon (I like Matt) or BB... which is closer.. I think I better sell more art work haha............................................BB

[NDSPTuba]

Save your pennies and keep an eagle eye out for a Kalison 2000/2001 Pro. They are the least expensive BAT's out there ( I got my fine playing example for only $3500 ). Best bang for the buck in the BAT category.

[iiipopes]

Bob, hang in there, keep saving your $$. Your artwork is great quality. I hope you can find a wider market for it.

[bigbob]

Thank You,I guess there is no easy way<s>

Bob, hang in there, keep saving your $$. Your artwork is great quality. I hope you can find a wider market for it.

You are Right iiipopes I guess I'm going to keep on saving and be patient!!! BOY I sure wanted that 5 valve holton<s>I hate to say it but I'm still like a kid in a candy store when it comes to these Tubas<s>I'm going to have to find someone to freshen up my web site and raise up from the bottom of search engines and if the economy picks up maybe my client list will grow .. thank you all for the encouragement......................................BB

[Wyvern]

Bob, The situation may be different in the US from this side of the pond, but if you own your house then the best way at your age may be to get some money through equity release on your property to get the CC tuba you really want - maybe even get a bit extra to take the wife away on that holiday she has always wanted (which also sweetens her to the new tuba)

If that is not possible, then just get an old Conn 2xJ BAT (or something similar) which you should easily be able to buy with the money you have. It may seem frightening learning new fingerings, but really it is not that difficult!

I have never understood this cutting of tubas to a certain key - it is a lot quicker, cheaper and easier to just learn the relevant fingerings. Once you realise BBb and CC are a tone apart and use the same fingering patterns you can work out what they are in your head, rather than using charts - I have found that a much better way to ingrain in my memory.

[jstrother123]

Here is a sortof related question: how hard would it be to convert a GG contra bass bugle to BBb? Thanks.

Jim

[TubaTodd]

Bob,

I don't believe anyone has asked this question on this or any other of your threads.

Why a BAT?

Gene Pokorny mentions on his orchestral excerpts CD the Stephen R Covey quote. I'd hate for you to be so psyched for "a BAT" that when you finally have one, you find out it's not for you.

I own a BAT. WHY? It was the right horn at the right time. I had a BAT previously that I didn't care for, which I sold/downsized and kept for the next 8 years. I thought I'd never get a BAT again. When my current BAT came along it made sense.

If you are able to answer the WHY for yourself where you feel that the answer makes sense to you, then you have another question.

What BAT do you want?

Something tells me that any old BAT is not what you are looking for. You must have one in mind that you have played. A Yamayork may not be in your (or my) future, but may have a more reasonable horn in your mind.

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Disclaimer:
I'm in no way affiliated with this horn or the person selling it.
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You may find out that what you REALLY want is not a BAT, but a "larger than a Conn 3J" horn. If that is the case, I would jump all over this horn if I were you.

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=24100

This is a great NSBAT. (Not So Big A$$ Tuba)

Then again....I'm not you. This is just my $0.02.

[bigbob]

Hi Todd, That certainly is a beautiful horn and I would be proud to own a almost 6/4 horn<s> BUT the thing that hangs me up is the old mooola thing<s>I'm not very experienced in BAT's But in DC. I played a few and just loved the Holton and was lucky enough to play that hand made MW the Baer model I think I just love the full sound of that big old Holton CC.There was a all bare brass 2165 I really liked too! The bohm would be great too I guess but since I don't have 5700 and I don't think the guy would trade for a silver1945 King sousaphone and a beautiful 1979 silver Conn3J and some art??blink blink I certainly like its looks and history.. thanks Todd for your input.I guess I'll just keep on a savin haha and keep trying out more bats and almost Bats untill I have money and horn right...........................BB

[UTSAtuba]

I don't think the guy would trade for a silver1945 King sousaphone and a beautiful 1979 silver Conn3J and some art??

Bob,

Just sell your sousaphone and 3J. If you don't like what you have, that's what I would do (trust me, I know).

Joseph

[bigbob]

I don't think the guy would trade for a silver1945 King sousaphone and a beautiful 1979 silver Conn3J and some art??

Bob,

Just sell your sousaphone and 3J. If you don't like what you have, that's what I would do (trust me, I know).

Joseph

hi joseph I've had my 3 J for over 30 years and love it the sousy I don't play very much But for the right horn would give them up soooo the search goes on haha take care.............BB