Help ID'ing VMI Tuba

[byebyetuba]

http://imgur.com/a/FBZdD#rJtXBmt

Hi, I got the above pictured tuba in 1996. Life happened, and now I'm looking to sell this. However, I'm having trouble identifying what model it is and what a reasonable asking price would be. It's in excellent condition, except for the small ding where I sadly dropped my mouthpiece on the side (shown in pictures). Thanks for any help that can be offered.

[toobagrowl]

VMI 2103 BBb. Those tubas were also under the "Musica" stencil. Great tubas

[byebyetuba]

Thanks for the prompt reply! Is $4000 a reasonable price for such a tuba? Is that even a reasonable question to ask here?

[toobagrowl]

^ Sure thing. $4000 is reasonable for that tuba, if a bit on the high side. Looks like it is still in very good condition; does it include a case? Usually those tubas go from $2500 - $4000 in good/excellent used shape.

[byebyetuba]

It has a gig bag. If I had to ship it though, that obviously wouldn't work so well. Besides the ding in the photos, I'd say it's basically like-new. But then...of course I'd say that! Thanks again for the feedback. I'll be listing it here soon.

[imperialbari]

If you go to this entry in the index of my Yahoo-based brass gallery,

B&S-VMI-BBb tubas circa 1996

you will see it called the 3103 on that catalogue page.

Klaus

[byebyetuba]

Thanks for the response Klaus. I sent a group join request for that group so that I can view it.

[toobagrowl]

Just so ya know: VMI = B&S. Same manufacturer.

VMI 2103 BBb: http://www.music123.com/brass-instrumen ... 4-bbb-tuba

I guess the 3103 is for the B&S brand. But it's the same tuba, and like I said earlier, it was also under the "Musica" stencil (UMI's imported name for that tuba). VMI/B&S is probably one of the most stenciled brands in the tuba world

[byebyetuba]

Ok, yeah, both of those look the same and almost exactly like mine, except that the images you both posted show what looks like a lyre holder above the thumb ring. Mine does *not* have a lyre holder. Could that make mine a different model, or is it most likely the same thing, just without that option?

[toobagrowl]

^ I'm guessing there may be tiny differences depending on who imports/deals them. But pretty much the same tuba without the lyre holder.

[byebyetuba]

Ok, thank you. I think that's probably good enough for me. When I list it, I just want to be as accurate as possible with what I list it as.

[imperialbari]

Maybe the importer reckoned that US BBb marching mostly happens with sousaphones.

Klaus

[jeopardymaster]

Not to be a downer, but I would not expect to get $4000 for that model in BBb. The differentiation between them and the Chinese horns just isn't that great these days, in my opinion - especially when the new Chinese one is around $2000 less.

[toobagrowl]

Not to be a downer, but I would not expect to get $4000 for that model in BBb. The differentiation between them and the Chinese horns just isn't that great these days, in my opinion - especially when the new Chinese one is around $2000 less.

Well like I said, $4000 is on the high side, but at least it's the real-deal VMI in excellent condition. AFAIK, there are no copies of this particular rotary BBb tuba. The Chinese tuba you are thinking about is the B&S 'Sonora' copy, which is a different model rotary BBb tuba. And you can usually get the real Sonora BBb in good used shape for the same or less than the Chinese copy

If I had the money, I'd still get this VMI BBb tuba anyday over the Chinese models.

[bort]

Same thing as a B&S PT-2, I believe.