Inherited Tuba (VMI 5 Valve C Tuba) SOLD

[eric25usmc]

I recently inherited a VMI Manufaktur C Tuba. It has 5 valves. I believe the model number is 274924. It is engraved on the mouthpiece receiver. I was wondering where I could find more info on this horn and maybe what it is worth?

[bort]

Can you post a picture? VMI is the same as B&S, so it is a very high quality instrument.

[Heavy_Metal]

The number on the mouthpiece receiver is actually the serial number.

[hbcrandy]

What a stupid place to put a serial number. Do you mean, if I steal a VMI tuba, all I have to do is solder on a new mouthpiece receiver to make in un traceable?

[eric25usmc]

Can you post a picture? VMI is the same as B&S, so it is a very high quality instrument.

[Chuck Jackson]

Count your blessings kid, that is an awesome piece of machinery you were gifted.

Chuck"WOW"Jackson

[bort]

Cool! I used to own the 4-valve version of that (also branded as VMI). I bought it from Baltimore Brass, it was previously owned by another board member here. Mr. Fedderly described it to me as being a Meinl-Weston 30 body and bell, with a VMI valve section. Apparently, there was still some distinction at that point...?

Either way, a solid tuba, and one I wish I could have kept as I moved on through the other tubas I've owned. Rough guess, you could sell it for between $3,000 and $4,000.

[Tim_Loehr]

I never thought I'd see one of these again.

Here's what it's worth to me:
$3,500 ....... right now.

____ T-man

[eric25usmc]

It has a hard case and a soft case. It probably just needs to be clean. I am asking $4000 plus shipping.

[bort]

I never thought I'd see one of these again.

Here's what it's worth to me:
$3,500 ....... right now.

____ T-man

It's really *almost* the same thing as a Meinl-Weston 32, and they do come up from time to time. This one is in really nice condition though. I like the thumb ring placement on the VMI better as well, instead of the typicaly MW setup.

If I were the seller, I'd take your $3,500 offer and be done with it right now.

[toobagrowl]

Nice tuba. Looks to be made with (mostly) Meinl-Weston parts and a few B&S parts. The thumb ring/flange, mpc receiver, bracing is B&S/VMI; everything else looks M-W. Not surprising since G.Meinl owned/operated both M-W and VMI (B&S).

I'm thinking that - over the years - I've bought-and-sold two-or-three of those...but (at least in the picture) that one looks "chubbier" than I remember those being...

...somewhat like the "188 vs. 186" thing.

bloke "I'm probably wrong. It's probably the same model. Those are good."

I think most VMI tubas are made with all B&S parts. This one definitely looks like it was made with a Meinl-Weston tuba body & bell, ferrules, and rotor paddles. I agree with Bort -- Looks similar to the M-W 32, with a few B&S parts. Very good all-around tuba

[bort]

In the past I have owned both the MW 32 and the 4 valved VMI equivalent. Personally, I preferred the VMI. Maybe that was strictly those 2 instruments, but the VMI seemed to have a slightly larger sound with more character.

IIRC, you and I owned the exact same VMI (it went from you to Baltimore Brass, and I bought it from there).

When I bought it, I tried it side-by-side with an MW-32 at BBC, and I liked the VMI better. I won't lie thought, having having a 5th valve on the MW-32 made life easier. But I liked the sound of the VMI bette, and it played better. Plus, I like the "normal" kind of thumb ring, as opposed to the "behind the tubing" style on MW's, which I've never really liked.

The description of "MW bell and bows and a VMI valve set" was the description that David Fedderly gave me. In my mind, that makes it a fact, not a "looks like."

[toobagrowl]

The description of "MW bell and bows and a VMI valve set" was the description that David Fedderly gave me. In my mind, that makes it a fact, not a "looks like."

Nice pot shot at me. I said "looks like" because we are going off pictures here, and this VMI is not the typical "all B&S parts" VMI --- this one looks ( again: pictures ) to be made with M-W AND B&S parts.
Either way, this is an all-around quality tuba.

Btw, not all M-W rotor tubas have the thumb ring under the 3rd tubing slide....

[tofu]

Could somebody clarify for me what model this horn actually is? Is it a 30 or 32 or was it some type of limited modified production run that never had a model designation?

[toobagrowl]

Could somebody clarify for me what model this horn actually is? Is it a 30 or 32 or was it some type of limited modified production run that never had a model designation?

It's the VMI equivalent of the M-W 32 (5 rotary valves). Really, it's a M-W 32 with a few B&S parts. The model 30 is the 4 rotor version, I believe.

The 5th valve tubing on this tuba is exactly like the 5th valve tubing on some (VMI/B&S-made) 'Musica' CC tubas.

[bort]

The description of "MW bell and bows and a VMI valve set" was the description that David Fedderly gave me. In my mind, that makes it a fact, not a "looks like."

Nice pot shot at me. I said "looks like" because we are going off pictures here, and this VMI is not the typical "all B&S parts" VMI --- this one looks ( again: pictures ) to be made with M-W AND B&S parts.
Either way, this is an all-around quality tuba.

Btw, not all M-W rotor tubas have the thumb ring under the 3rd tubing slide....

It wasn't meant as a pot shot -- if anything, it's just confirmation that you are correct. Anyway...

[eric25usmc]

Price reduced to $3600 plus shipping.

[imperialbari]

image.jpg

Not beautiful, but an attempt of making the serial # readable.

To me this looks like a one-off or short run model rather than a production model, as the main tubing slide appears being quite exposed.

The 5th loop looks like lowering the open pitch a major third with its inverted W double slide. Maybe the crooks can be rearrangered for a shorter long whole step loop, but I cannot be positive from the not very high resolution photos.

Klaus

[eric25usmc]

On hold! Pending payment.

[bort]

GOOD!