For anyone who gets the Cryptoquote puzzle in their daily newspaper, and likes to do it, fair warning- if you read further you will encounter today’s answer. But for those who don’t get it, or don’t do it, this quote is just too good not to share! Actually, this is tomorrow’s answer. Our paper puts ...

I believe it is a Meinl Weston 2040. I would further guess that it’s late 60’s/early to mid 70’s based on the “S” linkage. It looks to be in good shape, and these are on the rare side, so if it came up for sale I’m pretty sure it would be snapped up quickly. Although the 5 valve version is more des...

I believe it is close to a Meinl Weston 2040. Although the model number may have been different back in the day. I would further guess that it’s late 60’s/early to mid 70’s based on the “S” linkage. It looks to be in good shape, and these are on the rare side, so if it came up for sale I’m pretty su...

Thank you my friends for all of the stories and encouragement! I know I am not alone, and I’m sure there are many with struggles worse than mine. I will talk to the doctor about it, but probably should be able to play tuba again after the clots are gone and I feel better. I’ll sure give it a shot an...

I’ve been following the discussion about The Elephant and his health issues with great interest. I’ve been having some of my own lately. I’m writing this post from my hospital bed. I’d been having issues of late with chest pain, shortness of breath, and extreme fatigue. I finally came to the ER Frid...

I use a simple moving dolly I bought from Harbor Freight for 12 bucks. It’s a simple wood rectangle with carpeting on each end and pretty sturdy casters. Right now I use a ratchet strap to hold it in place but I may come up with something more elegant. No handle, but a handle kit is available from H...

Do you think these would work on MTS cases?

I have a friend in community band who transports his tuba in a Cronkhite bag with a modified golf bag push cart. He modified it himself and has told me he would be willing to modify one for me too. I said no thank you since I’m on Team Hard Case. My King is in its factory case, which is basically a ...

Heh. Just noticed you can see "Cerveny" engraved on some of those tubas in the pictures in that Amati catalog. The "Opera Model" (Piggy) BBb is also listed, separate from the Arion. It did exist! Sorry to derail, carry on. I have told this story before here. When I was a freshma...

I had a tuba pretty much exactly like that, in lacquer, purchased from Tuba Exchange in the early 1980’s. The model number is indeed ABB 681 and it is analogous to the Cerveny 681. I thought it was a great horn and I regret selling it. Thank you for your reply and for providing the information. Som...

I had a tuba pretty much exactly like that, in lacquer, purchased from Tuba Exchange in the early 1980’s. The model number is indeed ABB 681 and it is analogous to the Cerveny 681. I thought it was a great horn and I regret selling it.

As noted in my signature I own the 902-3B, which is the 3/4 size BBb 3 valve (they made a 4 valve too). Sounds good for its size, due in my opinion to a relatively big bore for a horn like this (.689). Does pretty much what a Yamaha 103 does. Biggest quirk: a real bad water collector, I have to spin...

The bell looks like it’s been smushed and re-straightened. Am I right?

The only model they make now is the 5J, so impact on the environment is minimal at best.

Yes, well, thank you for that offer. But I would not buy a tuba without a test drive first. But fear not, my friend. I believe you WILL sell this, and fairly quickly.

Why does EVERYBODY who lists this brand for sale list the brand as “Manufaktur”? How do they miss the big “VMI” logo above it? “VMI Manufaktur” literally means “made by VMI”. I had one of their 4 valve non compensating euphoniums for a while, purchased new from WWBW. I was very happy with it until I...

I had a Kanstul marching horn carcass here that I bought for the detachable bell. The lacquer was a bit darker than 'usual' but appeared factory. And while removing some of the braces, I couldn't mess up the lacquer no matter how hot I got the torch... I was amazed! Yeah, I was wondering if anybody...

Wow! Bloke, that is an extremely brief response! Quite unlike your usual…