Little horn advice

[dmeacham5]

Hello, I am seeking for some advice because I'm looking for a 5 valve CC horn, I am still saving my money but currently I can 3300 to go toward it. I think I would prefer pistons over rotors but will settle for either. I would like to know what horns you would recommend for my price range I think I will go up to 4500$ for a horn. I am located in Ohio if that helps and I am planning on doing a double major on performance and education at Kent State University.
Thank you for any advice
Dennis

[TheHatTuba]

Miraphone 186

[Lukowicz]

I've had a few students do well with the Mack Brass 186 copy. If you're looking pistons, save up and get a Big Mouth Brass 4/4 CC tuba…great horn.

[bort]

Just to be clear... are you looking for "a little advice," or "advice on a little horn"?

[eupher61]

Find someone with a used Piggy for sale. Easily within your budget, although normally only 4 valves. You won't miss the extra. An old 186, vintage late 60s, would be my second recommendation (possibly out of your price range, though). Bloke's is probably good, with his imprimatur on it. Then, the BMB. If you have no capability of travel to try out horns, or can't find the used ones, the BMB.

Check out DIllon's, Tuba Exchange, Horn Guys, Baltimore Brass for their used stock. Talk to Tom at Mack Brass (all these, and bloke, are sponsors here).

Don't get so hung up on 5 valves that you pass up a gem of a 4 valve. If it plays well in tune with 4, you won't need the 5. I promise.

[DPlander]

Kanstul 902/5C. I play on the 902/4C and wish I could have bought the 5 valve version. Best horn I have ever bought/played on.

[bigtubby]

I've had a few students do well with the Mack Brass 186 copy. If you're looking pistons, save up and get a Big Mouth Brass 4/4 CC tuba…great horn.

Probably some good advice. Lots of suggestions in this thread but Tom McGrady (Mack Brass) has stepped up to the plate and suggested that you try this horn with zero risk. Half of your budget, 1/3 price offered for used ... what do you have to lose?

[Ace]

I've had a few students do well with the Mack Brass 186 copy. If you're looking pistons, save up and get a Big Mouth Brass 4/4 CC tuba…great horn.

Probably some good advice. Lots of suggestions in this thread but Tom McGrady (Mack Brass) has stepped up to the plate and suggested that you try this horn with zero risk. Half of your budget, 1/3 price offered for used ... what do you have to lose?

+1

Ace

[dmeacham5]

Just to be clear... are you looking for "a little advice," or "advice on a little horn"?

To clarify I meant "A little horn advice"

Sure, take the advice from the forum, but decide for yourself by physically testing a bunch of tubas at a store that has them. There's no use in buying some tuba without first figuring out what you are looking for.

I am trying to find a store that is feasible for me to go to, does anyone know of the closest music store to Kent Ohio that would stock tubas that would be worth traveling to test them to see what I would like more, I'm to the stage where I want to test and see what I like the most.

Miraphone 186

cough-cough...

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=58695[/quote

Bloke, beautiful horn, but I think it is out of my price range, if I could afford it (and try a 186 before hand) I would love to buy it

Thank you for all your replies and they have been helpful