How long have you had your "baby"?

[Mark E. Chachich]

Joe,

First, please put a 30+ year choice in the poll so that I can respond.

OK, as per instructions I voted 15-25 years.

I ordered my Alexander 163 CC in 1973 (around October or November) from the Alexander factory. The tuba arrived in June 1975, I was 19 years old at the time and had just finished my freshman year at college. I have never found a tuba that works better for me.

The Alexander is the tuba that I have used most and am most attached.

I also have a York Monster E flat that I got in 1978 and a Meinl Weston 32 that I got (used) around 1986 as a back-up tuba and for quintets. I really like these tubas, but the Alex is my special friend.

I had a Walter Sear BB flat for around two years that I had to sell to buy the Alexander in 1975. The person that bought the Sear still plays it as his main tuba.

best,
Mark

[TexTuba]

Well I got my baby this past August. It's a Miraphone 186 CC from the 80s and it is just sweet! I didn't know how great of a horn I was getting for the money. I will get other horns in the future. But as far as I'm concerned, this horn is mine until the day I die.

Ralph

[Albertibass]

Well yeah im very lucky to have gotten my first horn this part may at the age of 16. A St Petersburg 202 (not the one from tuba exchange). But this one is an older raw brass (which is a pain in the neck to clean) from Germany. Very colorful tone. And all though it absorbs your sweat like a sponge, i wouldt trade it for the world. Nope im too attached to my baby to let her go. Fedderly told me that St Petersburg rotor valves have a reputation of being loud, and he offered me a trade in, but i wont. so i guess my baby and I are on our 6 month and 19th day. and no, after her year birthday i will NOT continue to count the days, because its pointless----who says their first grader is 96 months? yeah i hope no one raised their hand to that.

[windshieldbug]

FWIW, the reason I'm asking is related to the youngster looking for a euph to last a lifetime. This is a "reasonable" thought, but I'm wondering if it's naive. I suspect that most people change "babies" every 5-10 years -- more often when they are young, less often when they are older

Maybe, but either way you should give it the "best shot" you have, not just blow it off!

[iiipopes]

When it was discovered I have a genetic anti-clotting deficiency (last year Christmas week was spent in the hospital with legs elevated and dosed up with lots of "rat poison" to dissolve clots), standing up for 3-4 hour weekend garage band gigs was put out of the question. So I borrowed a sousaphone from a local lodge to play with them to get my embouchure back in shape, and searched until I found my Besson on eBay, which had its nits, fully disclosed by the seller, and got it home for $401 including shipping. The valves are perfect. I just forgot the shank is smaller, so I had to turn right around and spend @$70 on a Wick 1 mouthpiece as well as the budgeted $50 to fix the nits!

Why 3-valve? My pinky is @ 3 cm shorter than my other fingers. So I did get the comp model. CC & DDb are IN TUNE WITHOUT PULLING! I'll let the father-son duo in community band who have matching Miraphones (retired doctor) play the low EEb's! On the sousaphone, a @1935 Conn-Cavalier (predecessor, but identical to, the 14k w/ 24 inch bell), I also had the top loop of the 1st valve tubing made into a slide, as it sits right under the left hand. Conn has been making this valve block for over 125 years, including for helicons before there were sousaphones. WHY DON'T THEY DO THIS FROM THE FACTORY?!! It has great false pedal EEb, DD, DDb, and sometimes the CC, depending on what shape I'm in. So really, I have two babies. Can I vote twice?

[Kevin Hendrick]

First, please put a 30+ year choice in the poll so that I can respond.

I had a Walter Sear BB flat for around two years that I had to sell to buy the Alexander in 1975. The person that bought the Sear still plays it as his main tuba.

I'll second the added choice -- I selected "15-25", but my Walter Sear CC arrived in June 1974 (I was 18 at the time), which puts it over 31 years (and still very enjoyable to play)!

[Rick Denney]

I've had mine three years (the Holton). But it is not the last tuba I would sell. That's a toughie, but it might be the Miraphone, which is useful in a few more situations than the Holton. But Miraphones are easy to buy, and good Holtons are not, so I'd probably keep the Holton. I'm hoping I never have to make that choice!

Before that, it was the York Master, which I still enjoy immensely, though it presents a couple more challenges. I had owned it for two years, I think, when the Holton came my way.

Before that, it was the Miraphone, which occupied that position for ten or eleven years. But the real baby for much of that time was the Yamaha 621 F.

I agree with your thesis that it is naive to think you can buy an instrument for life at a young age. It can turn out that way, and I know folks who still play the instrument they bought in their youth, but you have to put that in the serendipity category. Or, necessity--not everyone is willing to buy new instruments as often as I have been fortunate enough to be able to do.

Rick "who sells tubas reluctantly" Denney

[Joe Baker]

Oops There was supposed to be a "more than 25" option in the poll. I'm not sure what I did wrong, but there doesn't seem to be any way to add that one in. So anyone whose answer would be "more than 25", just go ahead and check 15-25, and let us know via your posts that you would have checked the longer period.

Rick, you correctly divined my meaning. By "the last one you'd sell" I didn't so much mean the one that would best fill the "all-purpose" role, so much as the one that would be both missed (again, for its playing qualities, not because Grandpa played it in the American Legion band) and difficult to replace. Your Holton is the archetype of the "baby", as I meant it.
__________________________________
Joe Baker, who notes that the data so far shows that for most folks "babies" come and go, especially when players are young.

[Steve Marcus]

My "baby" is my Nirschl 4/4 CC tuba. I love it. To afford it, I had to sell the only tuba that I owned previous to acquiring the Nirschl--a Conn 25J. I miss that old big woofer; it was fun to play for its own merits. But to even think of comparing it to my Nirschl would be ridiculous.

When did I buy the Nirschl? Let's just say that I was fairly well into my adulthood. My non-musician parents wouldn't let me study music in college because they were convinced that making a living in music was nearly impossible. After a year of being a miserable pre-med major, I transferred to another college to study music--paying for it on my own.

Now, as far as the tuba is concerned, I'm making up for lost time--with the full support (spiritual, if not financial) of my wife and kids...and even a very belated acquiescence by my parents. Now they finally understand why I had to make music my life.

[MaryAnn]

As for buying a euphonium....I think I saw a couple of Wilsons in the outlet section of WWBW, at well below retail.

When you said "baby" I thought you were referring only to tubas, and my "baby" tuba is definitely my MW 182 F. In more ways than one! First child, smallest child.

But the instrument I won't sell is my violin; bought for me in high school by my parents, it has sentimental value as well as a fine sound.

I figure I can always replace even my horn because the maker is still in business, and tubas are always being improved, so I figure if I had free money I would buy and sell like Scott Mendoker does.

MA

[mTaUrBkA]

I got my "baby" in 8th grade because I am the luckiest kid ever. I have had it just over 2 years now. I can't believe I convinced my parents to split the price with me (them paying the greater chunk, speaking that most 8th grader's income is quite low). I am still thankful to this day....and I still let them know! It's a silver plated, 4 valve Mirafone 186. When I got it it was used.....but very slightly. An old man purchased it, then about 3 days later he passed away. Basically, I got a new tuba with a used tuba price. Picking out a horn, I took my time. My mom drove me all around trying horns, the Mirafone 186 just fit me perfectly. Thanks mom and dad!

[Quicksilvertuba]

My baby is a Miraphone 1291 which I have just gotten 3 months ago. this is my first horn to ever own and I absolutely love it more than any horn I have ever had. Since I'm a freshman in college I'm planing on buying an F tuba either late my sophomore year or during my junior year. I don't know what brand I'll get but I'm pretty sure it won't be another Miraphone. Either way I'll be lucky to have a dime in my pocket when I get out of school.

[Hank74]

My "baby" at this time is a 6 year old shiny, silver Jupiter BBb sousaphone. I love the sound and use it at any TC that I'm at. Down the road though, if I have some more cash, I would consider trading it for the new quad valve Jupiter 590 sousa which they have. But right now, I'm sticking with my Jupiter baby.

Hank74

[ljdalen]

Can a "Baby" be a BAT? Mine is a 1922 Holton Mammoth, 3 valve. Parents purchased for me in 1977 and am still playing it as main instrument. Unbelieveable free airflow, rich tone, range limited by players ability. Obvious tuning issues with three valves, but a good player can play in tune. Replated valves in 1980 and puts out better sound than much more spendy instruments. I am lucky.

[TubaRay]

Can a "Baby" be a BAT?

I don't know why not!

[TubaRay]

Careful, Johnny. You may make your wife jealous. That's a nice little tuba.

[Tubaman485]

I have only had my baby since july of this year but I absolutely love it. It is a Besson 995 and I swear it just plays itself. I cannot predict the future but I hope I never sell it. I just love it.

JB

[WilliamVance]

My NEW baby is a Cerveny 781-4MR. So far i love it. Very delicate, just LIGHT!

My REAL baby is a semi-beat up King 1250 Silver Sousaphone Early 50's Vintage. I just discovered how much more I love it when I stuck a CONN 2 mouthpiece on it. Don't ask me how competing (back long ago) makers mouthpieces and horns work so well together for me. I just can't figure out what it is about that sousaphone, but if I could take it with me to more sit down concerts I would not have bought a new concert horn.

[TubaSteve]

Well, I have two babies. The first is my Meinl Weston 25 as it was the first new tuba that I purchased and I have had it for 15 years. I got after i lost my mom to cheer me up and we have had a lot of fun over the years. Had her cooking just last night.
My other one is one of my old Reynolds brass sousaphones. I have two of them, both from the 50's but my favorite is the older and more used of the pair. It was given to me by my sister who found it at a rummage sale for $20 back in 1977. I had it out just last friday at an outside gig. It was only 11 degrees out BRRR!! (hard to keep the valves from freezing). I decorate the bell with battery op lights and bows and garland. Makes a great impression. On the 4th of July, I usually mount a bunch of flags on the top of the bell. It really gets noticed. I didn't know how much till this story.
This last year, at an ice cream social after 4th of July parade, my bride and I were at a table with our kids having ice cream. Across the table from us was an older couple and we struck up a conversation. They were from out of town, but were in the area for the week. The lady had said that she was our city's civic parade two days before and that it was great, then she said to me, "but the best thing that I saw in the parade was a float went by with a band on it, and some guy had American flags mounted on his tuba". I just about fell over. What are the chances that it would have made an impact on someone that they would remember it, and then the chances that they would be at this table with me, not even in the same town, and would bring it up. It was one of those really great moments that you never forget.
Even though I truly love my MW25, the Reynolds would be hard to replace.
Steve