Being an ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATIVE - and being concerned about GREEN issues, I believe in recycling.
The hopelessly trashed parts (ALWAYS: the tubes, obviously) go into the scrap brass (and yes, I have a guy who comes around and picks up scrap metal), and (knowing who/where C-S subcontracts the manufacture of necks/bits
) I keep the replacement components on hand that are always trashed, and (when there is a LOCAL customer in need) I build up necks for them.It probably takes about 35 minutes to stick one together, get it shiny, and shoot it with clear.
They don't look absolutely new - but
neither do their Conn sousaphones. He's one I hastily stuck together just before (yeah it's time) lunch.
I've displayed it for you on my Belmonte 24AW Mouthpipe Drying And Display Stand (part # B-24AWD/D-S).
the laptop screen...??
oh...I'm just looking for the best price for spare tubas for "the halls" (perhaps three...??) - you know, where I play in various freeway philharmonics.
We professional symphony cats all have "home" instruments, and duplicate "hall" instruments, you know...
EDIT:
My FAVORITE freeway philharmonic (for reasons obviously shown below) is in the medium-sized city where THIS shop is located:
