Hello, my name is Katie and I'm thinking about selling my Marzan tuba. I played the tuba from the 4th grade through high school then took a 30 year hiatus and started again 8 years ago. I bought this tuba around 7 years ago in Texas and have been playing him in our local symphony as well as the high school bands. Unfortunately, I was in a car accident last year and injured my right shoulder. It will not tolerate more than a few minutes of play and I can no longer easily pull the case or get it into my car and have to be VERY careful just trying to lift the tuba onto my lap. Neither surgery nor physical therapy has fixed the issue so I am forced to change instruments to something a bit smaller. (Violin and guitar)
For those who follow Marzan tubas the serial number is 69166. He is in very good condition with mild denting and skin blemishes. The case he was in when I bought him had too much rot and was replaced with a new, hard case 5 years ago. When I first had him cleaned and the rotors restrung at my local music store I was offered $8,000 for him. As I had purchased him to play and not for profit, I rejected the offer and played him happily for several years. Now, it seems a shame to just store him in a closet rather than let him sing just because I can't play him any more and the gentleman that offered me the money is no longer with us.
I am located in Oregon. Please respond to this post if you have questions. I do have pictures that I can e-mail to you if you wish.
Marzan slant BBb 4 rotary valve 4/4
Forum rules
This forum is for buying or selling your personal equipment. Sponsored selling is allowed as well. All ads are required to have the following information: Price (even for trades), brand, model, and location (City and State, for instruments, not accessories). It is acceptable to link to an external ad if you are promoting a sale of your personal equipment. No Ebay auctions, but "Buy It Now" listings are fine. Photos are HIGHLY suggested as well, and may be hosted on Google Drive, or elsewhere. If you see an ad that does not meet these criteria, please report it.
This forum is for buying or selling your personal equipment. Sponsored selling is allowed as well. All ads are required to have the following information: Price (even for trades), brand, model, and location (City and State, for instruments, not accessories). It is acceptable to link to an external ad if you are promoting a sale of your personal equipment. No Ebay auctions, but "Buy It Now" listings are fine. Photos are HIGHLY suggested as well, and may be hosted on Google Drive, or elsewhere. If you see an ad that does not meet these criteria, please report it.
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Re: Marzan slant BBb 4 rotary valve 4/4
Hi Katie - where are you in Oregon ? I am in Beaverton.
Bobby
Bobby
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Re: Marzan slant BBb 4 rotary valve 4/4
Hello Bobby, I am in Hillsboro
- bort
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Re: Marzan slant BBb 4 rotary valve 4/4
These are very nice tubas. I think that $8,000 offer was over the top, but it's admirable that it wasn't about the money for you and you got so much enjoyment out of it.
So sorry you can't play tuba anymore, but good luck with the next phase of your musical life!
So sorry you can't play tuba anymore, but good luck with the next phase of your musical life!
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Re: Marzan slant BBb 4 rotary valve 4/4
Thank you Bobby, the $8000 offer was back in 2009 or so and the person who made the offer has retired but I know that as I don't need to sell him I can hold out until the person who really wants him shows up.
hopefully you will have a long and enjoyable time in music.
Katie
hopefully you will have a long and enjoyable time in music.
Katie
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Re: Marzan slant BBb 4 rotary valve 4/4
Katie, what about switching down to a smaller, lighter tuba? They do exist, and we hate to lose you........ 

Principal tuba, Bel Air Community Band
Old (early 1900s?) Alexander BBb proto-163
1976 Sonora (B&S 101) 4-rotor BBb
1964 Conn 20J/21J BBb (one body, both bells)
~1904 York 3P BBb Helicon
Old Alex Comp.F, in shop
Old (early 1900s?) Alexander BBb proto-163
1976 Sonora (B&S 101) 4-rotor BBb
1964 Conn 20J/21J BBb (one body, both bells)
~1904 York 3P BBb Helicon
Old Alex Comp.F, in shop
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Re: Marzan slant BBb 4 rotary valve 4/4
Thank you Frank, smaller tubas may be the answer, I don't want too stop playing...
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Re: Marzan slant BBb 4 rotary valve 4/4
That's more like itdowellmm wrote:Thank you Frank, smaller tubas may be the answer, I don't want too stop playing...

Smaller BBb tubas abound. Here is one that is currently for sale here on TubeNet:
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=72026" target="_blank
I don't know anything about this particular tuba, but it should serve as an example of what might work for you. You would of course want to know how much it actually weighs. I would try to stick with 4 valves if you can, but a 3-valve tuba would be a bit lighter.
Good luck!

Principal tuba, Bel Air Community Band
Old (early 1900s?) Alexander BBb proto-163
1976 Sonora (B&S 101) 4-rotor BBb
1964 Conn 20J/21J BBb (one body, both bells)
~1904 York 3P BBb Helicon
Old Alex Comp.F, in shop
Old (early 1900s?) Alexander BBb proto-163
1976 Sonora (B&S 101) 4-rotor BBb
1964 Conn 20J/21J BBb (one body, both bells)
~1904 York 3P BBb Helicon
Old Alex Comp.F, in shop
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Re: Marzan slant BBb 4 rotary valve 4/4
Thank you Frank, just need the shoulder to stabilize first.
Katie
Katie