What to do with my school's tuba budget.

[tubalaska]

Hello all,
The university that I attend was recently approved to buy a new (used is great, too) CC tuba for our band. The director has asked for my help searching for said tuba, and this was the first place I thought to look. Our budget is 9k. I was wondering what sort of options you tubenetters think we should be looking for.
What would you do if given this budget? For an undergraduate school with a medium sized music program, would it make sense to buy one tuba for the 9k price range or find a couple in the $4500 range? We currently have no CC tubas, only a couple BBbs and an Eb.

Thank you for your advice!

[sweaty]

I'd get a Wisemann 900 and a Mack 410.

[pgym]

What model I as do you have now?

What's wrong with using the tuba you have now?

Would those funds be better spent (assuming there's nothing wrong with the current tubas) on a private teacher or perhaps, given the reluctance of many to use the Eb tuba, sell the Eb and get a couple of tubas?

You DO realize that the UNIVERSITY is buying the CC, not the OP, don't you?

[Donn]

We currently have no CC tubas, only a couple BBbs and an Eb.

This is probably obvious to people who've been in a program like yours, but ... would all these tubas potentially be in use concurrently? Or are new tubas kind of replacements for the old ones, which would continue to be on hand in case of emergency (but who would want to play them, when ... when you've got CC tubas!)

[EMC]

I would definitely try to get at least two CCs, with that budget you could probably pick up two used ones from Dillons. They won't sell you horns that have any major issues so you can feel safe buying used from them. That's what I personally would go for.

[bisontuba]

Is there a tuba/low brass instructor at your college? Wouldn't they have an opinion?
Mark

[tubalaska]

Is there a tuba/low brass instructor at your college? Wouldn't they have an opinion?
Mark

Yes, and I am talking with him as well. I figure there is no harm in asking a larger group in addition, though.

[hduong]

Highly recommend having the Tuba/Euphonium instructor of the school chime in on the purchasing of the horn(s). Since he/she will be teaching the students, they will usually have in mind what they want their students to play on, or what will last long term in a college setting, whether it's BBb or CC, or even an F tuba. I'd also try to sell of those Eb tubas and use that money to repair the current BBb horns, or invest in a F tuba for the school for the Tuba Performance majors in their upper division solo and ensemble work.

[ghmerrill]

Hello all,
The university that I attend was recently approved to buy a new (used is great, too) CC tuba for our band.

One thing that most of the responses here seem to have ignored is the underlined phrase. If there was a proposal to buy a CC tuba, and this (purchase of a CC tuba) is what was approved, then very likely, purchase of a CC tuba (and not purchase of a BBb tuba, or tuba repairs, or sales of other tubas, or tuba lessons, or ...) is what is now required. Or that would be my guess. In that case, it's really not feasible for whoever is in charge of this to now "substitute" purchase of some other type of instrument. But maybe this wasn't really a formal proposal and approval specifically for a CC tuba?

[brocktorock]

With that budget, you could get 4 Mack Brass 410 CC tubas. They're pretty good clones of the 186, which is probably what most schools would have anyways. Anyone who doesn't like them (or the fact that they're Chinese) can save up and buy their own.

[Donn]

If there was a proposal to buy a CC tuba, and this (purchase of a CC tuba) is what was approved, then very likely, purchase of a CC tuba (and not purchase of a BBb tuba, or tuba repairs, or sales of other tubas, or tuba lessons, or ...) is what is now required.

That might be in a more general sense something people need to know, when they come here looking for help with something.

Q: Are these people really here to help me?

A: Yes! But with some kinds of questions, you'd be just as well off to ask a drunk on the street. Whichever is more convenient for you. They're kind of in their own world, and sometimes a little belligerent, and for a fact they don't owe you any specific kind of help.

Q: What kind of questions are those?
A: Couple to give you an idea:

• "What's a good mouthpiece for me?" The answer will always be whatever mouthpiece is good for them. If you can keep the thread going long enough, all possible mouthpieces will be nominated.
• "What's a good CC tuba?" There are no good CC tubas, BBb tubas are just as good and cheaper, so just forget about that.
• "What's a good F tuba?" (You saw this coming) you should get an Eb instead.
• "Couldn't I cut a BBb tuba to CC?" (Arggh.)
• "How can I play louder on my sousaphone?" I'm afraid we'll have to ask you to leave.

Q: I tried the drunk on the street, and I'm back to see if I can do better here.
A: OK, try to ask a question that's detailed enough to have a real answer. Then roll with it, and maybe someone will give you a break and actually answer the question!

[Bacchanalia]

What if I can't find a drunk to ask? Should I start drinking myself??

[ghmerrill]

Yes. Note that he does not appear to be a member of university administration.