Do I need this tuba…? Maaaaaaaaybeeeeeee…

ITEC touts its love of "inclusivity." Does it practice what it preaches? Are high school students included? Are amateur players included? Are beginners included? Are band directors included? Are community band players included?

No.

I tried to take a group of high school and middle school ...

Jim is a real good fella. Highly recommend.

I’d want a close up of the leadpipe…

Here are some things I have on hand to add to the data set:

Alexander model 163 5v CC w/ 2-step 5th valve (1930s): 20 lbs
Alexander model 164 4v BBb (1930s): 21.2 lbs
Alexander model 157 6v F w/ quint valve (1980s): 16.2 lbs
Cerveny Piggy 4v CC (1980s): 18.4 lbs
Besson 3v compensating BBb ...

Thanks, @hrender and @arpthark.

The 3400 does have an upper 4th.

Is there a thread about the weights of different tubas? I looked and I didn’t seem to be able to find it. If one exists and someone can point it out, I’d be grateful! Thx!

FWIW there's also a used, lacquer 3400FA5 Erickson Model at Tuba Exchange.
https://www.tubaexchange.com/collections/used-eeb-instruments/products/used-willson-3200-4-4-f-tuba

I am not sure why the link shows a 3200... :coffee:

I have had my Erickson for about two years and it is a well loved ...

Does Soundline also make Miraphone bags (I think maybe they do…)?

Then I *think* they’re all made in Slovakia.

tubauwe wrote: Mon May 12, 2025 12:58 pm According to the first owner, it was made by the Chinese manufacturer Tianjin Jessy Musical Instruments. It comes quite close to the original and is of high quality.

Good info.

Mystery meat in the cafeteria. “Looks like something…”

(Might want to just come out and say who made it.)

I’ve owned 3 3400’s. Two silver, one lacquer. One of the silver I liked better than the other. It was in better shape and had been better cared for before I owned it. I own the lacquer one right now (I’ve actually never seen another lacquer one in person). I like it the best of all three (it’s also ...

Acid bleed won’t show for quite awhile. Brass instruments from many makers exhibit it. It’s from a bit of random soldering flux that hides out on the instrument at joints and slowly creeps out under the lacquer causing oxidation.

Joe points out good info above, too.

DonO. wrote: Fri May 09, 2025 1:36 pm Red rot on valve casing?

I think that’s acid bleed from assembly soldering.

I left that place some time before all the weird went down. I mostly left because I really didn’t get the dynamic and, being quite ill for a good portion of my involvement, it was mostly from own lack of perception and perspective. What I do get now is that some really nice, even handed and helpful ...

It does look to be a well done repair…

“no signs that it has ever been seriously damaged“ Uh…

Some of these were nice little tubas. That low hanging main slide is a bit tough.

I didn’t realize you could haul things in a cybertruck. The place full of knowledge.