looking for my first tuba

[cristinacutts]

I am going to attend Interlochen Arts Academy as a Junior in the fall, and i am looking to buy my first tuba...

I am looking for a smaller rotary valve C Tuba for under $4000. I love the models like the PT-20 (rotary version), the Cerveny Piggy, and the Meinl Weston 186 and 188. I am willing to buy a piston valved tuba, although I definitely prefer the rotaries!

I am hoping to purchase an instrument very soon as I have to switch from Bb to C in the next month or so.

If anyone is selling or knows of someone who is, please contact me! Also, if someone has input on which type of Tuba I should be looking for, or a certain model you have had a great/bad experience, I would love to hear from you- I am totally open to suggestions.

Thanks
Cristina (from Albuquerque, NM)

[Ken Herrick]

Brian has got it pretty well nailed!

Contact a few of the sponsors and shops like Dillons, Baltimore Brass, Oberloh Music and let them know what you are after and have your $$$ ready.
Good chance you can get a good, used 5v 186 Miraphone at that price. Be patient but, ready to act. Thesr come up fairly often and sell quickly.

A versatile, quality instrument which could last you a lifetime and always hold its value.

In the mean time, start "learning" CC by doing the simple 1 step transposition

[Ken Herrick]

Brian has got it pretty well nailed!

Contact a few of the sponsors and shops like Dillons, Baltimore Brass, Oberloh Music and let them know what you are after and have your $$$ ready.
Good chance you can get a good, used 5v 186 Miraphone at that price. Be patient but, ready to act. Thesr come up fairly often and sell quickly.

A versatile, quality instrument which could last you a lifetime and always hold its value.

In the mean time, start "learning" CC by doing the simple 1 step transposition

[cristinacutts]

thank you so much for your suggestions!

also, while im at it, what are some thoughts on the Cerveny 601 C Tuba? One has come up for sale and I was wondering if it is a good horn...

[Todd S. Malicoate]

My guess is that Interlochen has some pretty decent instruments for you to play on. What's the hurry?

My first tuba lessons were there with Dr. Jerry Young at the NMC. He taught me C tuba on a very nice 190 (or maybe it was a 191...it was VERY large!). I also got to play in a tuba-euph choir next to Pat Sheridan that summer, and I was just a dumb ol' string bass player. Fun times.