Tuba for college

[dmeacham5]

i have been looking into getting a tuba for college either a Bb or a CC tuba, i don't have a high paying job or many hours so i have to be in a strict budget of less than 2000$ i have been looking into Schiller models

( http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sacat=0 ... d=Schiller" target="_blank)

and some M&M models
( http://www.tubamm.com/prods-t.htm#mm-tu210" target="_blank )

i want to get the best deal for my money, after collage i want to be a music education teacher and will most likely buy a nicer quality horn, i just need one to get me through college, although i'm OCD about big scratches or dents so i am looking for a either gently used or new tuba.

please help me with my choices i need guidance and anything will be appreciated

[Tubaman2365]

I know a lot of guys on here are anti Chinese horns, but I think this would be perfect for what you are looking for. I had a similar one, mine was a Dillon. If you have a repairman that you can trust to tweak and maintain your instrument, it will serve you through college.

http://www.mackbrass.com/MACK-TU410L_4_4_CC_Tuba.php" target="_blank

[Dan Schultz]

I'm not against anti-Asian instruments. However.... DO NOT buy anything sight-unseen. There are quite a few dogs out there even among trusted brands.

First... check with your music teacher. If you don't already have a music teacher who at least knows what a tuba is... get one!

Then.... only buy a horn that you have played or from someone who has a liberal return policy.

If you continue with music as a career... one thing is for certain.... this won't be the last tuba you buy.

[PMeuph]

Wait until you start college. Use a school horn and shop with guidance of an experienced instructor and the knowledge (and money) you'll gain between now and then.

+1

[PMeuph]

If this is not the last horn you'll ever buy, you might want to look around here to see which tubas seem to sell quickly (for their price) and which ones stick around and have been for sale here for over a year.

It might not be a big factor, but if you decide to change tubas during your degree taking a $400-500 loss might be a pretty big deal for a college student on a budget. Used horns can often be sold for the same price they were purchased for.

Also, if you buy a clone from one of the more expensive vendors, you will not be able to sell it for more than what a new one from a competitor sells for, so shop wisely.*



*(Unless it has significant work done to it)

[bort]

Wait until you start college. Use a school horn and shop with guidance of an experienced instructor and the knowledge (and money) you'll gain between now and then.

+1

If that's an option, then DO IT. That's exactly what I did, and ended up playing a nice old PT-3 all throughout college for "free" (well, tuition )

Also, in the nicest way possible, get over the scratches and dents. Tubas are for listening to, not for looking at.

[Pappajohn52]

Have you picked a college yet? I agree with those here that suggest waiting to see if the college has a decent tuba and play that if you can until you can afford to buy a good one. Your college instructor will certainly have an opinion on what you should be playing in his lessons whether you are a performance or education major. If you buy a tuba to play in college it would be good to see what you college instructor recommends. Any college with a half way decent music department should have decent tubas to play. A school horn may not be the prettiest, but always chose performance over "pretty" (just like a good woman lol!)

[dmeacham5]

i have a college in mind, its Washington and Jefferson collage, i have emailed the tuba instructor in hopes of hearing what i could do but i'm a person who likes to plan ahead just in case, and i would also just like to have my own tuba

the tuba instructor is Murchison, Matthew if that helps

[Pappajohn52]

Wanting your own instrument is always good, but remember to get the most out of your lessons in college it is important to use the best quality horn you can get your hands on. You don't want to limit your progress as a player by playing an inferior instrument. (a good mouthpiece is also very important) Choose how it plays over how it looks if you buy a horn. You can always send a good playing horn to a shop for an overhaul for cosmetics when your finances improve. My everyday tuba is a 1967 Besson that's just been restored, so it's never too late to get a good horn restored if cosmetics are important to you. I bought it for the price and played it as is for a while. I had it restored later when I could afford it. (I like my horns to look as good as they play as well)

[J.c. Sherman]

Buy used.

J.c.S.

Buy Eb

[dmeacham5]

My other option is Baldwin Wallace and i believe there tuba teacher is Yasuhito Sugiyama anyone know if he has any preferences in what instrument his student uses?

[eupher61]

Send him an email and ask.

[J.c. Sherman]

Yasu... if it's a help... owns a Yorkbrunner, a Fafner, Rudy and B&S Fs. His main student at BW plays a PT-606.

I certainly wouldn't recommend any of the above as an all purpose instrument.

J.c.