Going to be buying a horn. Input, please.

[Uncle Buck]

I wouldn't want to wish buying a bassoon on anyone. I took a few lessons and considered a purchase myself, then I found it was cheaper to consider tubas.

When I did my music ed degree, I had to learn ALL the traditional band and orchestral instruments, including double reeds. Some (flute) were harder than others, some (alto and tenor sax) were just "ketchup", others (oboe, french horn, cello) were rewarding to play, and a few (most anything in percussion) were just downright fun.
The instrument that I absolutely disliked the most, from every possible standpoint, was the bassoon.
P.S. who wants to play an instrument with a "whisper key" on it?

+1

Joseph "having been there myself" Guzman

My experience was very different. In woodwind workshop, I struggled through clarinet and sax, thinking at that point the worst was over. Then flute - an absolute disaster. Flute was the only instrument where I honestly, after tons of practice time, wasn't sure whether I'd be able to pass.

After flute, oboe was a breeze, and basson was actually fun.

[Phil Dawson]

I owned a Sonora horn for many years. It played very well in the traditional German manner. The valve linkage was a ball and socket design that really wasn't the greatest although it held up pretty well for me. Replacement linkage would be a definite plus. I would recommend playing it before finalizing the deal but I would go for it. Nice easy blowing horn with quite good intonation.
Good Luck, Phil

[andrew the tuba player]

hey guys. just wanted to tell you that the sale on the horn fell through, so if you still want to consider the 25j it's up for grabs. $2000 plus around $180 shipping (depending on location).

[saktoons]

Wow. This all sounds familiar to me. I, too, am a professional who had taken 21 years off before I picked up a tuba again. Here is some advice from one who has been there.

Play the tuba before buying. I bought a VMI 2103 from WWBW over the phone (without playing it). Although I got a good horn, I was lucky. If I had it to do all over again, I would have built up my chops first, and then gone out searching for a used tuba to play.

Don't be scared of a used horn. I rented a used Besson with a recording bell for outdoor gigs for a couple of years. If the owner had wanted to sell it, I would have bought it. I loved this horn. I often thought that I should have looked harder at borrowing or renting a horn first, as I built up my chops. I am happy with what I have and how I got here, but I should have been smarter.

Talk to the tuba players in a local community band. I played in a band for a couple of years where one of the tuba players seemed to be connected to anyone in the area who was selling a tuba. I played a bunch of really nice tubas, with some intention of buying provided the price was right, just by hooking up with this guy for a few years. (I had a lot of fun, also. Too bad he moved out of the area!)

Have fun!

[MaryAnn]

All the bassoon commentary got me chuckling....when I decided to take up a new instrument due to the dystonia problems on brasses, my first choice was bassoon (because, obviously, I like playing low.) I bought one on ebay, but the guy sent the wrong instrument, a different brand. Well...I found that I simply could not reach one of the necessary positions with my left hand, and ended up sending it back for a total refund.

Then I went after oboe, and after struggling with a bad instrument for a few months, lucked into a pro model that is wonderful. After that....I tried a different brand of bassoon and was able to reach it easily. But after I learned more about bassoon, I was doing the big "whew" that my intial foray had worked out badly. No way I want to play that nightmare of an instrument!! For *me,* oboe is just not that hard; the main thing is coordinating the fingerings. For the first time in my life, I have a wonderful teacher, and having someone who knows how to adjust an instrument, is an expert reed maker, and can actually teach, oboe does not need the reputation of extreme difficulty that it has.

Good luck on the tuba...I'm sure you'll find the right one. I always vote for Bloke's recommendations because he does not lie.

MA