Well, I have found my "Old Man" tuba.
It is a Yamaha 103 in great shape. The previous owner found it in a pawn shop nearly 20 years and I recently bought it from his estate.
The horn has the small pearl buttons, black printed logo on the bell and the original bulky wood case.
So, a couple of questions regarding this horn:
The serial number is 002193. I understand that Yamaha was not consistent with the serial numbers but can I assume that this horn is probably from the 70s?
Given its age, are parts (valve guides, springs) readily available?
Is there a soft gig bag for this size horn? I wanted something lighter in weight but the horn in the wood case weighs almost as much as my full size horn (PT1 stencil) in a gig bag.
TIA
Keith
Toronto
Yamaha 103 serial number and parts?
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- bugler
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Re: Yamaha 103 serial number and parts?
Yamaha serial numbers start at round numbers. If I decode yours roughly right, I'd put the age around 1977. Only small parts are available, like springs and water keys. If you need a valve, you're out of luck. The same goes for leadpipes, tuning slides, bells, branches, those screws that connect the horn together on later models, braces, valve buttons, or valve caps.
Any time at all is tuba time. Watch for the signs.