Getting that dream tuba. Good choice for you?

[Peach]

Have you gone all-out and bought a top of the range, high dollar tuba? Ever had cause to regret the purchase or does it fill your every waking moment with joy (or someplace in between)?

I will soon have the option of dropping some money on a fine tuba. I could play what I have already for the rest of my playing days without feeling too badly off, and could add the money to my mortgage which is the sensible thing.
However I'm not in debt (mortgage aside) and the other half broadly thinks it's ok too! =) I've always loved 'gear' and the urge to get something a bit special is strong.
I don't think I want advice - this is my choice. Rather, I just like to hear other people's experiences...

Every time I see a handmade Baer or some other absolute top-flight tuba for sale here I wonder (for a second) about the back story. Different if it's a working pro as folk sometimes change equipment in sideways moves, but when it is someone a couple years out of grad school or similar, I wonder how they felt BUYING that horn, and how they feel SELLING it.

Thanks.

[Rick Denney]

I have bought some dream tubas, and continue to thank myself for having done so. But none of them were my dream tuba before I played them.

Rick "knowing the difference between dreams and fantasies" Denney

[thevillagetuba]

I believe musical equipment is a lifelong search, and when parents of college students come to me with with the pat comment, "we want to make the proper choice the first time, and don't want to have to do this again", I bite my tongue and smile. One of two things (neither of which they are prepared to embrace) will be true: [1] The journey is just beginning, or [2] the journey will be abandoned.

I completely agree with Bloke here. My journey is still very fresh from a start (and the restart) and I have owned a few dream horns. The first was a horn I had always wanted and then I found myself in a place where I had to sell it. My second dream horn was sold at the same time but was one I fell in love with only after playing it. Upon returning back to play those models, I find myself no longer regretting those sales.

My second set of horns were also dream horns that I sold and replaced with my current set because I felt they were a better match for my current playing needs and goals.

My current equipment is also set up of "dream" horns. They weren't cheap and I would switch out of them if the right circumstance and horn were to come my way, but I am perfectly happy with what I have.

I think of choosing equipment as what works right now. I haven't yet found a "forever" horn, and don't know if I ever will. I think it is important to not be devoted 100% to your equipment as being the best equipment out there (as one might be in the process of being made or designed that makes one little thing easier for you) while not also jumping to follow what the new hot trend is; trends change, horns come and go, but we have to always be pushing ourselves to find what makes our passions easier to bring to fruition because less work means more fun.

[chronolith]

It is a fabulous option to be able to actually acquire the best tuba for you personally. Not many players will ever get the option. I can say having snagged the tuba that I wanted without a thought to whether I could afford it has paid nice dividends to my enjoyment of playing and my ability to provide the most options sonically to the groups that I am playing in. It has reduced the things I worry about when playing (mechanical stuff, quality, intonation concentration, worrying whether it is my fault or the tuba's fault...).

But let's be clear - at this stage it all boils down to very small percentages. Things that you will notice and may seem huge will seem very small or non-existent in the ears of most others.

If you decided to go for the expensive tuba, do so because it is more "right" for you as a player and will dramatically increase the joy you have while playing. This is not to be underestimated though. Regardless of the small (large) differences in sound you notice when playing an instrument that is better suited to you, other people WILL notice when you are playing a tuba that you are much happier playing. That always comes across.

[Jerryleejr]

Unless a Siegfried falls off a truck in my driveway, I will be relegated to many wonderful horns within my budget and ability...unless someone is looking for a nice gently used Harley...

JJ

[jimgray]

In my experience as a lifelong serial horn swapper, it's all about:
-the needs of your current playing situation(s) - no horn is perfect for every gig
-your personal preferences at the moment (and they evolve)
-new instruments/technologies emerging
-your maturity when assessing what will have more impact: a new instrument or more practice
-the grass always being greener on the other side regardless of your maturity
-your tolerance for spending money on instruments (and your ability to not lose money when doing so)

Enjoy the buffet - it's delightful.
Many, many great options these days.

Jim "currently smitten w his rotary Fafner" Gray

[bort]

The thing about dreams is that they change over time. There is never an end.

Beyond that... Talk to Jon Hodgetts about his dream horn... The handmade gold brass Neptune that lives in a closet.

Otherwise, its easy to tell others how to spend their money. I think you should buy what you want, and not over think it. If plans change years down the road, so be it. You can do it now, so you should just do it while you have the chance. You don't always get a second chance.

[PaulMaybery]

The thing about dreams is that they change over time. There is never an end.

Beyond that... Talk to Jon Hodgetts about his dream horn... The handmade gold brass Neptune that lives in a closet.

Otherwise, its easy to tell others how to spend their money. I think you should buy what you want, and not over think it. If plans change years down the road, so be it. You can do it now, so you should just do it while you have the chance. You don't always get a second chance.

Words of wisdom. Life is short and waiting for just the right time to "go for it" is a bummer. I'm at the point in my life where I don't really know how many more years I can play one of these monsters. For the time being, while it is more effort than when I was younger, I can still schlepp that BAT around or even drag 2 or 3 horns to a gig. I kept waiting for a sign to tell me I should indulge my tuba lust with some neat horns. For over 30 years I debated. At this point it is a "bucket list" issue. Several years ago I bit the bullet and in a rather cavalier fashion bought a raft of new toys. I still have a new horn on order that should arrive in June. Very well the "dream tuba." I'm hoping against time that I can enjoy it for a good run of concert seasons with the symphony. When the time comes, I will probably need to unload them, and perhaps cut my losses. But the ride has been wonderful and finally having a chance to have a great instrument has been the fulfillment of one of my dreams.

[chronolith]

I think I actually know what my next dream tuba is already, but for right now I have exactly what I want and need (at the same time).

But like Bloke, I make my decision in advance after sufficient preparation and then I mitigate whatever cost factors are in play with patience and exquisite timing.

[bort]

I still have a new horn on order that should arrive in June. Very well the "dream tuba." I'm hoping against time that I can enjoy it for a good run of concert seasons with the symphony.

Oooohhh... what is it?!

[Michael Bush]

I'm now awaiting the second "dream tuba", but the tuba I can't quite get out of my mind is the 5-valve Piggy I let pass through on one of my horse trades last year. That was a sweet tuba. Not sure I've played anything I enjoyed more. At the time my attention was elsewhere though, and I just barely took it seriously it as it came and went.

[bort]

I'm now awaiting the second "dream tuba", but the tuba I can't quite get out of my mind is the 5-valve Piggy I let pass through on one of my horse trades last year. That was a sweet tuba. Not sure I've played anything I enjoyed more. At the time my attention was elsewhere though, and I just barely took it seriously it as it came and went.

Sounds like me and my Neptune. Probably should have kept it longer, but I don't think it ever would have been "right."

What's the new one?

[Michael Bush]

What's the new one?

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=70716

[Wes Krygsman]

I say go for it. If the bills are paid, you have a little financial wiggle room, and this purchase won't put you in the poor house, go for it.

I own a 6/4 Nirschl York CC that I bought from my college private lessons teacher. It was definitely my dream tuba and do not regret it's purchase. I took out 1 student loan to get it that is already halfway paid off and while it would be nice to already be completely out of debt, being able to play this tuba for the past couple years was well worth it to me. Mind you, there are tradeoffs. I would not also have tons of other outstanding debt. if there were only 1 or 2 debts, and I was paying them down faster anyway, I see nothing wrong with an extravagant purchase here and there.

You only live once, go for it. Buy the dream horn, and sell it if you end up having a change of heart. There's always a market for high end tubas, although you will most likely take a loss if you sell.

[tylerferris1213]

I bought a MW Thor right out of high school because it was a huge German CC tuba and "the price must be that high for a reason." Don't get me wrong, it was a great horn. I ended up selling it because it wasn't the sound I wanted. I favor the more "American" sound of a Getzen G-50.

I also bought a GDR PT-10 because it was a great horn that a lot of tubists use. Just recently, I sold it to buy a G-60. I have found that, as I mature as a musician, my concept of sound changes.

Going back to your question, I think getting a "dream tuba" isn't a bad choice, because it may be everything you want/need at the moment. That is for you to decide. Both my CC and my F Getzen tubas don't add up to the price of a Thor (not even counting the PT-10 as well!) but I wouldn't ever trade, but who knows! Maybe I'll fall in love with the dark German sound again.

[Peach]

Thanks for the replies chaps.
As expected it seems as though you only really regret buying something if you cant afford it in the first place. Then can come that agonising point where you NEED to sell something at a loss just to pay off the debt you have on it. That sort of thing hurts!

Well at least I have options

[bort]

At what point do you tell us what the tuba is...?

[BMadsen]

I've learned that dream horns rarely remain the dream. If you play a lot, needs will change over time, and that horn that you spend a lot of money on will likely evolve from being the only horn you ever wanted to one of a useful stable, to possibly one you never play because it doesn't work for you.

My "dream horn" (back when I didn't play any tuba) was a HN White Era Liberty 2b Silvertone, preferable pre-1955 because of the beautiful engraving work that they did back then. I eventually had the money and was able to purchase a 1939 Liberty Silvertone 2b with valve section and slide section. It became my main axe for about 4 years, then my needs changed. I still played it for another 2, but in rotation with a 3b I found cheap that played incredibly well. The past 3 years, it's only gotten used for it's valve section, and I found it too small even for that (used it with reluctance, as I didn't have another valve bone). Now, I'm selling it because I found another valve section for my 3b, and my needs are evolving and I don't want the money sunk in a dream horn that collects dust.

Ultimately, I've come to realize horns are tools. You buy the best you can afford that work for you, and when they stop working, you make a change when you can afford to. Not worth sentimentality - be sentimental about the great performances you get to be a part of, the wonderful musicians you get to meet, the great friendships you develop playing music. It's not worth being sentimental about a hunk of metal tubing. At least in my book.

[Peach]

At what point do you tell us what the tuba is...?

Well, I'm still in the process of trying.
Tried a Miraphone 1291 Bb (5v) - very nice.
Also much higher ticket items: Fafner x 2, Fasolt, 197. All 4 valve. Great tubas, no doubt, but not what I need right now.
All the above tubas were tried at Mark "Mr Tuba" Carter's place in S Wales, and most accommodating he was too. I'd be surprised if anyone has more tuba stock than he in the UK.

I still have plans to try some other fine tubas so watch this space!

[lmhs1970]

Funny, for a long time a 2b Liberty Silvertone/SilverSonic was my dream horn too. My Conn 100H is my current dream horn, even with the fussy, high maintenance slide. After five years idled due to a deteriorating slide I just got it back from an ace repairman. I'm supposed to be playing primarily tuba now, but that horn is like a siren bringing me back to trombone. My Bach is the best horn I own on paper, and my more versatile, more frequently used trombone for blending reasons, but the Conn hogs my practice time.