FS JBL F Tuba $10,750

[akniffen]

For Sale: JBL F tuba, $10,750.00
5 valves/right hand
factory 2nd slide kicker

I bought this JBL around 2012-2014, as best I can remember, and it has been an awesome tuba for solos, quintet, and in orchestra. I don’t know exactly how old it is, but would guess around 16 to 20 years. It is in great condition except for some dents around the side of the top bow.

It has a long tuning slide, instead of a Euro slide, to make it A440, which is the biggest improvement from when I purchased it. It was fairly unfocused with the tuning slide out so far. Martin Wilk also reversed the small side of the tuning slide and added a brace between the bell and a spot just above/further towards the bell side of the tuba from the main tuning slide. This was a recommendation from Itai Agmon, who said the Israeli Philharmonic player recommended it to him. It did help focus the low CC, which was the goal.

It is a five valve. I prefer the way the 6 valve version responds, but I prefer 5 paddles in the right hand, too, and this is the tuba that was available used when I was in the market. So, I asked Martin to imitate the taper of the 6-valve version by replacing the tapered section where the sixth valve was missing to a straight piece. This also brought more focus to the tuba in the low CC and the top of the staff, though the difference is probably subtle.

The 2nd kicker is one of my favorite things about the tuba. I play F# just below the staff 2-4 / and low G 2-3-4-5 and kick it all the way out for both – right in tune. B natural below the staff is 2-3-5 and right in tune. Db below the staff – just 2-3 and kick a little. Etc. Pitch is really great. Bydlo sounds great on it.

I have raised the height and angle of the leadpipe without actually having the leadpipe bent. I can be unsoldered, rotated, and re-installed as you see. Not the best thing for the horn cosmetically, but the first time I did this to my first F tuba, the stabbing pain above my right scapula disappeared. It helped a lot and can be easily reversed.

I am selling because I would like to go back to an all-yellow brass rotor F for my rotor tuba. That is the only reason.

It has a gig bag and a hard case. Located in Indianapolis. Email me for pics or remind me how to get them from my phone into the ad!
Akniffen@aol.com