My lucky day! Tuba for X-mas! Need advice...

[Mark E. Chachich]

If it does not matter to you, look for a used tuba. Generally a lot more tuba for the money.

Baltimore Brass
Dillon's
etc...
People on Tubenet are generally open when they give suggestions.
So look around (also at the web sites of good dealers), take some time and you will most likely find something good.

Example: My Meinl Weston 32 CC looked like it had been dropped off of a truck and had about between 1/2 to 3/4 of the lacquer when I bought it (it still does not look all that great but has less dents and more bracing). It was inexpensive as tubas go (or I would not have it) but plays great. Moral: if you don't need it to be pretty you can often get a good deal on a great playing tuba.

Also, I think that Wade's (the Elephant) comments were on the money.

good hunting,
Mark

[tofu]

This may have already been said before but I would urge you to go to a true tuba retailer that has someone who knows tuba's and will do you right. It is really important to play several horns and buy the one that feels right. I personally would recommend the following three dealers as places that will do you right.

Dillon Music - located in NJ - talk to Matt Walters who is a tuba player/repairman/tuba designer

Baltimore Brass - located in MD - Dave Fedderly - who is also professional symphonic tubist

Lee Stofer Music, Inc.
3583 260th Street
Camanche IA 52730-9658 tubameister@iowatelecom.net

Lee is also great tuba repair person/tubist and former military tubist. You are in luck as Lee just moved from Atlanta, GA and is probably just a day car ride from the location your avatar show in OK. The other two are just a cheap airplane flight and worth the money to be able to get the right tuba at the right price. Any or or all three are worth a trip. I would recommend you call them first to discuss your needs and/or to set up a visit.

[davidwburns]

As much as I'd love to sit and try out tubas in a real tuba dealer's shop, I'm out here in Oklahoma where the nearest tuba dealer (I've been told) is in Memphis. Not going to happen!

I'm trying to get some help from the new tuba prof. at OU (since I'm an OU alumn living in Norman), but I haven't heard back from him yet.

A factor that I've just begun to consider is height. I'm 6' 1'' and long waisted. I've been interested in the King 2341, but it's 34 inches tall. I'm used to playing 39 inch tubas. Is this a big factor? Does this eliminate the King for me?

(wishing I could just sit and play one of these suckers).

I've been offered deals from my local dealers for the King 2341 and the VMI 2103 that I can afford. Opinions? Apples and Oranges? Does one have a clear advantage over the other?

[trseaman]

Again & Again...

I have an old style 2341 and I have loved it from the begining. You'll find many posts about the new and old style if you search for them... Mine is currently packed away but I think the older style is a little taller. If you can find an old style in good condition it is well worth the money.

IMHO, Tim

[Uncle Buck]

A factor that I've just begun to consider is height. I'm 6' 1'' and long waisted. I've been interested in the King 2341, but it's 34 inches tall. I'm used to playing 39 inch tubas. Is this a big factor? Does this eliminate the King for me?

Get the best playing tuba you can get. If height is the only issue, there are numerous tuba stands available. Compared to the price of purchasing a tuba, getting a tuba stand is pretty inexpensive.

[davidwburns]

It's intended to be an "on the lap horn" not a "on the chair horn". I am 6' 2" and it fits me perfectly. I greatly prefer an on the lap horn as it's much more adaptable to individual heights.

The 39 inch horns sits on my lap with a 1 to 2 o'clock tilt. By lap horn, do you mean that it rests on you lap? Does it sit on the tops of your thighs or does it nestle down a bit?

Again & Again...

I have an old style 2341 and I have loved it from the begining. You'll find many posts about the new and old style if you search for them... Mine is currently packed away but I think the older style is a little taller. If you can find an old style in good condition it is well worth the money.

I see you are from Owasso! What a great high school band tradition you guys have (or at least it did when when I was in high school).

Thanks guys! I was about ready to give up on the King because of height, but if a 6' 2'' player says it fits perfect then maybe hope is not lost. Even though I've always played the german style horns, something about this American horn is calling me. I've read all the posts about it on tubenet. I will most likely be playing with other wind instruments and may only occasionally play with an orchestra, so it will probably be sufficient.

I understand availability might be an issue for a couple of months. True?

[davidwburns]

fulerzoo,

How does it play with quintets or solo? I understand it has an enveloping sound rather than a penetrating sound. I'm thinking the MW 25 and the Miraphone 186 lean toward the penetrating sound. True? Will I miss that? (I realize I'm asking questions that would better be answer by playing the instrument, but I may not get the chance any time soon)

[Rob]

David,

Not sure if you are still considering the VMI 2103, but there is one now on wwbw.com in the outlet store, listed for 2,799, as used 'C' stock. Maybe you'd wish to check it out, I don't think it's been there that long. Of course, maybe I don't always remember what's new and old......

Rob

[vurltuba]

I have sent you a PM regarding an instrument that you might be interested in.

[davidwburns]

Thanks, everybody, for the help on this! I put in an order for new King 2341. Looking forward to playing it in February!

[davidwburns]

The King has arrived! Picked it up yesterday. Looks smaller than I expected (I guess I'm used to tall German style), but feels bigger than it looks. Sounds like I imagined it, but not necessarily how it was described to me (of course, I suppose sound depends a lot on the player). Still getting used to it.

Not crazy about the King 18 mouthpiece.

The first valve spring buzzes on C in the staff. I've seen some good solutions here on the forum that I will try out.

Valves will definitely need the recommended daily cleaning and oiling while they are being broken in.

Blows freely top to bottom (bottom end is especially satisfying!).

Can't wait to introduce it to my quartet! YEAH!

[chipster55]

Congrats on the King !! Try a Conn-Helleberg. I switched from a Bach 18 on my Amati with great results.

[davidwburns]

Way ahead of ya! Already shopping for the Helleberg. I've been playing on a borrowed one for the last year with good results. Folks around here seem to think it's a good fit for the King, so...

Thanks!

Gotta love a fatty!

(once you go fat, you never go back!)

[MikeMilnarik]

The Mike Finn 3H works VERY WELL on the 2341.

Congrats!

Mike Milnarik

[TMurphy]

I used to have one of those...really liked that horn. I wasn't a big fan of the Helleberg mouthpiece in general (don't like that flat, sharp-edged rim), so I of course didn't use it. I had good results with a Dillon M1C on that horn. If you're not crazy about the Helleberg, you might want to track one of those down and give it a try.

[davidwburns]

The edge is the only problem I've had with the conn. I've heard that the Laskey is good as well.

The valves are loosening up nicely. I'm discovering that the leaky old 186 (or some styncil of it) was causing me to overcompensate with air and lip to make it resonate and tune. I'm learning to ease up and trust the good tuning of the King.


Having fun!