Getting that dream tuba. Good choice for you?

[Walter Webb]

Yeah, sell all your good favorite tubas and buy one dream tuba, that turns out to be a nightmare...

[Wyvern]

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.

Oh, the money I spent on tubas in the past!

The ridiculous thing is the last time I got the Neptune out the conductor said he "preferred" me to play Wessex Mahler (186 clone) as the Neptune overpowered the orchestra. I felt like saying 'do you know the difference in cost of these tubas!'

What I have learnt is the real pleasure is in making music to the best of my ability with good ensemble, and buying 'dream tuba' only brings short term pleasure. Focus on your playing requirements and buy suitable to fulfil your music making needs.

Having spent a fortune I am personally back to playing on a compensated Eb tuba when not test playing a new Wessex model.

[BMadsen]

When/if you finally end up with some really easy-to-use equipment and - now, whenever you comparison shop - the stuff you currently have always seems to be the obvious choice, are you

- used to old shoes?
- lucky?
- both?

I don't really comparison shop anymore. It's too easy to get into the "I think this instrument would be better," when in reality it's just different, and isn't an improvement once you adjust to the horn. The only time I try out new horns is when someone around me has an instrument I've been curious about, or when I determine an instrument is no longer fitting my needs and I start to seek a replacement. I've gone though enough trombones to know that whatever I like about a new horn is only masking what I won't like, so until I'm unhappy with my current equipment, it doesn't make sense to risk a switch.

That being said, if an instrument I've been curious about captures my interest, I do start assessing if it makes more sense then my current setup. But, because I work so much in a wide variety of styles, I find that it makes more sense to pick middle of the road equipment that can blend in any situation. So, often, if I say "This would make a great _______ horn" that means it's not a good choice for me. I don't have the space in the house, nor the finances, to have specialized horns for every style I play.

[Michael Bush]

This thread shows that for some (namely professionals) tubas are tools of the trade and have to justify themselves by a business-related standard. Makes perfect sense.

For others (amateurs) they are like boats and campers and such. The standard isn't business. (If I had to justify a tuba by the business standard, I'd have to find a $150 tuba.)

That being said, though, I'm a little concerned that my recently acquired instrument may be too much of a dream. The tuba is so far out of my league as a player that I feel a hint of the imposter syndrome. I don't need my tuba messing with my head, so I'm not sure I'm going to keep it.

[BMadsen]

I posted my comments not to discourage, but rather to mention that the dream may change. It's up to each player to decide if it's worth the money, or not, but it's good to be aware that the $10k+ tuba you dream of now may, in 5 years, be the one you don't really enjoy playing. Or, maybe you love that horn, but are told (like Neptune's comments) that other instruments are better for the calls you get (paid or otherwise), and the dream horn sits in a closet because you want to play.

As musicians, we ultimately (for the vast majority of us the vast majority of the time) work with others, and if the instrument we play prevents us from playing where and when we want to, it becomes a choice - instrument vs playing with others. It's good to be aware that the dream horn for you may not actually allow that to happen before you plunk a lot of money down on it. If you still want it after considering that, and have the money, by all means, buy it! You only live once. But, if you have to go into hock for it, then it's worth seriously considering whether it's worth it.

Just my 2 cents.

[Michael Bush]

wasn't contradicting...

Likewise... Just chattering.

[bort]

That being said, though, I'm a little concerned that my recently acquired instrument may be too much of a dream. The tuba is so far out of my league as a player that I feel a hint of the imposter syndrome. I don't need my tuba messing with my head, so I'm not sure I'm going to keep it.

What did you get? Unless it's a Thein, then keep it and grow into it. Even if you never become a much better player, you will at least get good enough to realize the difference between that tuba and a lesser tuba. And that's okay.

I've had that feeling before, but things seem to end up working out in the end. Familiarity made me grow into it, and eventually it becomes the new normal. It's all about upgrading, and I think it's good to be a little outside of your comfort level, on the higher end. I think we all need the ability to push our limits and go outside of our league sometimes and have some fancy things.

As a non-tuba example, I have a very nice car... I don't *need* a very nice car, but I bought one anyway. I remember feeling really uncomfortable with it in the beginning, driving to see family and friends, because I knew they'd make it into a bigger deal than I wanted it to be. It turned out to be a non-issue, and the only person who had ever invested any thought into it was myself. And after that, I got over it, and never looked back.

[Michael Bush]

What did you get?

What's the new one?

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=70716

Even if you never become a much better player, you will at least get good enough to realize the difference between that tuba and a lesser tuba.

Well, in my own favor, I *am* a good enough player and have owned enough good tubas to have already realized that much before now.

I may keep it and I may not. Certainly it's true that everyone I've mentioned not keeping it to has thought I was crazy. It is a great tuba, and it's not a financial sink hole. It just seems a little crazy given my playing level and opportunities.

[bort]

Well, in my own favor, I *am* a good enough player and have owned enough good tubas to have already realized that much before now.

Whoops, no offense intended!

That is a VERY fine tuba. I almost bought one of those new about 10 years ago at the Army band conference, but decided against it. I'm glad that I didn't, because I ended up preferring tubas with a totally different sound concept. But it is one hell of a nice tuba.

If you really want to feel crazy, just wait until you get it appraised for insurance purposes. When I got my Willson (and then put it in the closet ), Clarion said I needed a price quote for the full replacement value. I was pretty surprised to see how much they cost brand new.

[Rick Denney]

If you really want to feel crazy, just wait until you get it appraised for insurance purposes. When I got my Willson (and then put it in the closet ), Clarion said I needed a price quote for the full replacement value. I was pretty surprised to see how much they cost brand new.

I just went through that with my Hirsbrunner.

Rick "whose premiums went UP" Denney

[Three Valves]

A YBB-621 or reasonable mainland facsimile.

YES!!