How many tubas should one own?

[Peach]

A most important question!
Responses may be used and quoted when persuading significant others' you need that other horn...

Also, how many horns DO you own? If you have pictures, great.

I'll set out my stall first...
A keen player who turns out in a range of settings ought to have the following as a minimum:
1 x Contrabass tuba
1 x Bass tuba
1 x Sousaphone
1 x Cimbasso
1 x Euphonium (or Tenor tuba if you want to be a posh so-and-so)
1 x Bass trombone

Anyone got a good argument for "requiring" more horns?? Do tell.
I know some folk make do with one tuba. You have my sympathy.

What do I have?
1 x C tuba
1 x Bb Tuba
Quite a lot of Eb tubas (more than 5 but less than 10)
1 x Euphonium
1 x Bass trom
No Sousa (for now at least)
No Cimbasso (for now)

Thanks,
Malcolm

[Bill Troiano]

Holy crappola, Malcolm. You opened up a can of worms on this one! Many well-known famous players made their living on one horn. Of course, this is a different era. Many players today want the BAT and the F. What are you going to use it for? If it's for pleasure and you have the $$$$$, then have fun with it. Otherwise, unless you play in a large ensemble (that pays), you don't need it a BAT. If you're not entrenched in the solo lit, you don't need an F. It could be fun, but you don't need it. So, a lot of it depends on what kind of stuff you're playing and/or if you're young and aspiring to grand tuba gigs in the future.

My needs have changed over the years, but I could have easily done everything I did, on a 4/4CC. Personally at this stage of my life, a large CC (doesn't have to be a BAT) and maybe an F (although I hardly use the F) would take care of things. However, I play most of my gigs on a small CC and most of that is playing trad. jazz. Who wants carry around a large tuba playing jazz? It all depends on the stage of your playing life and musical (tubical) development and what you aspire to do. I think I made up a new word.

[Pat S]

"Should" will get different responses than "want to", partly depending on what you plan to do with the horn(s).

[tylerferris1213]

I'll start by saying I own 4 tubas, 2 euphoniums, 2 tenor trombones, bass guitar and a sousaphone.

I have a really nice Getzen 4/4 CC that I use for 90% of my playing. I own a decent F tuba that I use for solos. I use the sousaphone for marching and alumni band functions. My BBb is a 3/4 King 3 valve tuba. I keep it because it was the first tuba I ever bought. My 4th tuba is an Eb that is fun to bring to Tubachristmasses. It's not the prettiest horn, so I don't have to worry about getting a few extra dents! I have a nice euphonium that I play when the director doesn't need an extra tuba. The other euph is a project horn that I'll be posting about soon. The bass guitar is for jazz.

Since it has been mentioned, would I like a BAT? Yes, but do I need one? No. I am looking to buy a bass trombone in the near future, though.

[hbcrandy]

Lots!

[weops]

6

[DonShirer]

When they begin to own you, it's time to cut down.

[T. J. Ricer]

This isn't original, but my answer whenever my wife asks how many tubas I need, my response is always "Just one more!"

T. J.

[Bob Kolada]

I've got two Eb's, one big F on loan from the government, a similar Yamaha 882 tenor trombone, two euphs, one bass trombone, a cheap small tenor trombone, a small bore custom "value" chimp I never play, and a bass guitar that just reappeared mysteriously. You should have seen what I used to own...

All I play nowadays is F with a little bit of bass trombone and euph. I'm not sure any of that answers your question...

[bort]

I think you shouldn't have more tubas in the house than people. If you have more tubas than people, it's time to sell some or make more people.

[TubaTex91]

I have two and that's not enough. I'm young and just started my collection though. I want a Sousa, baritone, valve trombone, a cc horn, and a Eb horn. Until then, I'm happy with my Conn 10J and Mirafone 186!

[TexTuba]

[jeopardymaster]

A plethora?

[THE TUBA]

t=j+(w/i)

Where t=number of tubas one should own
j=number of tubas you need for your job
w=number of additional horns you wish to own
i=disposable income

[Donn]

The second term should be proportional to disposable income, not inversely proportional. Also, note that one may own more tubas, for a given disposable income, if the tubas tend to be less expensive.

[MackBrass]

2 f tubas, alex and b&s
3 c tubas
2 b flat tubas

My favorite is a turn of the century Cerveny giant helicon f tuba just acquired from Germany.

wish list is a alex or Miraphone tenor tuba and an older Alex cc.

I am lucky to still married as they are difficult to hide. My wife says as long as they are tubas and not other women I am safe

[Bandmaster]

I guess that depends on what you want to do with them! I have a bunch right now because I like to see things fixed up and used again. I only have big money invested into one tuba so far, my Holton 345. I have two York's sitting in Dan Oberloh's shop waiting to become one really fine York Model 712 BBb tuba. I bought them cheap, about a grand a piece, but when Dan is done I'll have something special. The York-Master with it's front facing bell comes in handy at one venue at which I perform. I rescued an old Besson 226 from Pasadena City College that I will fix up a little and eventually sell. Also an old Miraphone 186 and an old Olds 3 banger. I will only hang on to one old horn to be a practice horn that I can take with me to our ranch. The Conn 38K sousaphone and the Martin helicon are fun to use for special occasions. The two E-flats are fun to tinker around with, plus the Keefer has earned it's keep as a tuba to collect donations at concerts for the two community bands I play with. It's taken in over $10,000 in donations over the last 5-6 years.

1966 Holton 345 4V BBb
1955 York-Master 4V BBb
1939 York 716 4V BBb
1940 York 702 3V BBb
1968 Besson 226 4V compensating BBb
1962 Miraphone 186 4V BBb
1967 Olds O-99 3V BBb
1923 Keefer 3V EEb
1895 Conn 3V Eb
1927 Conn 38K BBb Sousaphone
1919 Martin BBb Helicon

[Peach]

........
I am lucky to still married as they are difficult to hide. My wife says as long as they are tubas and not other women I am safe

Tom, your wife is a good woman! I'll sure be quoting this one

And folks, this is all for fun.
I'm really asking "How many horns do you have?"

[AndyCat]

Neo BBb
Imperial BBb 3v (you know this one Peach!)
Bass trom
Tenor trom
Access to Euph in house!

[Donn]

My favorite is a turn of the century Cerveny giant helicon f tuba just acquired from Germany.

A photograph or two would not be amiss, I think. Along with a more detailed account of playing characteristics. At your convenience.