Lotta F's for sale....

[tclements]

What're ya buyin' to replace what yer sellin'?

[ShoelessWes]

What're ya buyin' to replace what yer sellin'?

Most of the people I know that are selling F's are buying food with them.

Lots of people buy them and things don't turn out like they plan, and it is hard to keep a 10k+ tuba sitting in your living room when you are a band director and not in any ensemble's or situations requiring it. A lot of these guys felt pressured into purchasing F's by their other studio members or professors, and it wasn't a very wise investment.

Wes "this isn't a commentary on band directors, as many can play me under the table"

[bort]

The problem could be, but isn't always money. It seems just as likely as any other key or type of instrument to be the search to find the ideal tuba, and match your preferences and what you like and don't like about a tuba.

When we get around to picking up the F tuba, we've gotten to a pretty good level with a BBb or CC tuba. We know what we like, what we don't like, and what we're trying to find (if we haven't already found it). But I think it's unreasonable to make those sorts of decisions at the same time as trying to learn new fingerings, and effectively, a new instrument. I don't konw about other people, but I can only do one of those at a time.

I'd actually be surprised if someone who bought their first F tuba held onto it long-term. Trying before you buy is only enough information to tell if you should buy it. You need some solid time with a tuba to decide whether or not to keep it.

And for the really high-end stuff, I'd expect the same reasons as any other key or type of instrument (changes to meet personal preference).

[eupher61]

I bought my first F 27 years ago, use it constantly. I did learn on "one of those Besson things that Arnie sounded good on" for a couple months before buying, though. I'd love to have one of those things, too.

[bort]

I bought my first F 27 years ago, use it constantly. I did learn on "one of those Besson things that Arnie sounded good on" for a couple months before buying, though. I'd love to have one of those things, too.

Heh, well, I'm wrong from time to time too! Curious though, what is your F tuba?

[Rick Denney]

I bought my first F 27 years ago, use it constantly. I did learn on "one of those Besson things that Arnie sounded good on" for a couple months before buying, though. I'd love to have one of those things, too.

Heh, well, I'm wrong from time to time too! Curious though, what is your F tuba?

I recall that Steve has a B&S with a magic dent.

Rick "whose B&S doesn't seem to need a magic dent" Denney

[cjk]

Tony must need yet another tuba.

[pierso20]

I sold my Cerveny F to buy:

23" Toshiba touch-screen all-in-one desktop; i5 processor and 3.0ghz with speed boost
FInale 2012 (AMAZINGLY better than the previous versions...seriously..for all you Finale haters!)
Garritan Orchestra 4
(soon to buy...) - New keyboard

[Lukowicz]

I'm currently shining my Willson F to post for sale.

[MartyNeilan]

I sold my Cerveny F to buy:

23" Toshiba touch-screen all-in-one desktop; i5 processor and 3.0ghz with speed boost
FInale 2012 (AMAZINGLY better than the previous versions...seriously..for all you Finale haters!)
Garritan Orchestra 4
(soon to buy...) - New keyboard

The Cerveny F tuba will keep its value or appreciate, once the initial "new tuba" depreciation has taken place.
In a few years, you may actually have to pay somebody to recycle the computer, as it is illegal to dispose of them due to toxic chemicals.
Just food for thought

[pierso20]

I sold my Cerveny F to buy:

23" Toshiba touch-screen all-in-one desktop; i5 processor and 3.0ghz with speed boost
FInale 2012 (AMAZINGLY better than the previous versions...seriously..for all you Finale haters!)
Garritan Orchestra 4
(soon to buy...) - New keyboard

The Cerveny F tuba will keep its value or appreciate, once the initial "new tuba" depreciation has taken place.
In a few years, you may actually have to pay somebody to recycle the computer, as it is illegal to dispose of them due to toxic chemicals.
Just food for thought

While what you say is correct: Money is tight and composing pays some of my bills. Can't say that the tuba has payed any bills. At some point, the composing will pay for the new tuba; how about that!? If you spent even 3 minutes trying to write music with my old computer...you would understand why I did this! (Though, it'll take twice that time just to load up!)

[k001k47]

I bought my first F 27 years ago, use it constantly. I did learn on "one of those Besson things that Arnie sounded good on" for a couple months before buying, though. I'd love to have one of those things, too.

I didn't know he played the tuba!

[TheHatTuba]

The person I bought mine from got something bigger (Meinl 2250).

[Karl H.]

Bort,

I'm another of those guys that held on to the first F they bought. It was an Alex F, and I bought it in 1984 (hmmmmmm, also exactly 27 years ago! Must have been a lot of horn swapping going on that year, too.)

Could be that I got lucky with my horn choices, or I could have been well-advised and cautious. Or I could just be an old skinflint: I've never sold any of my horns. I used my Alex F and an Alex CC (bought in 1976!!!) for everything until I joined my current ensemble, and I still use them both on various other gigs. Used just the CC on a big-blow brass ensemble concert recently, and used the F exclusively on a local regional orchestra's Christmas concert (and yes, there were lots of the dreaded low Db/C/B notes!).

Or maybe I'm just old: like a favorite pair of shoes, I'm comfortable with the imperfections of my horns, and I know how to get around most of the difficulties.

I bought them because I needed them and they were great deals (esp. the CC: you wouldn't believe me if I told you).

I keep them because they've been good to me, and I love their sound.

Karl "still keeping my wife after 23 years too; and you should hear about HER imperfections" H.

[ckalaher1]

To TheHatTuba-

I bought my PCK from the same person that you bought your Firebird from (I think). I played that horn, loved it, and if possible would have bought it when it was offered to me. The 2250 must be amazing. Congrats on a really fine Firebird.