$5995
We've completely gone over this instrument, chemically-cleaned it, precision-aligned some of the slides, polished it, and (once the tarnish was removed, and a few small dents were revealed) went after the small dents. If you know anything of our reputation for dent-removal/restoration, you know that all repairs of small dents will be pleasing to the eye. One spot (on the front of the upper bow - and shown clearly in one of the pictures) lacks silver. It appears (??) as though some previously-contracted repair shop may have made a slight "goof" (buffing machine?) and gone through the silver in that one spot...but who knows (??) The bell has never been creased. The pistons (compared to the later-era ones) feel very lightweight...possibly thinner-walled than German pistons (??). On board are plastic-coated valve springs, as well as the factory noise-dampening rubber washers in both the bottom caps and up in the bottoms of the pistons.
This instrument features excellent intonation, a robust "like the big F tubas" sound, and a very easy/wide-slotting low range - which also allows for covering most any contrabass tuba music. The upper #1, #3, and #4 slides feel quite well-aligned, though we did not take them to the "floating" stage, because many players don't care for that. (Of course, the buyer could have that done locally, if they choose.) The main slide alignment is only a handful of thousands of an inch "off" perfect, and prudence (as one side is short, by design) dictated that we leave it as it is. The included (quite expensive, if bought separately) WINTER case is in great shape with no cracks nor defects. As this instrument is used, we're striving to reveal as much about it as possible. Again, we deem the UK-vintage instruments - of this model - to be the more desirable ones. As a bit of "bling" (and as can be seen) this instrument features custom finger buttons.
Offers may be considered, but the advertised price will buy it immediately.
The case is about 12 inches too large (length + girth) to allow for FedExGround shipping.
Even instrument-only, in the maximum-allowable FedExGround carton would define risky shipping.
If shipped via Greyhound Package Express, the buyer/recipient would need to agree that - once handed over to GPX - the instrument becomes the responsibility and the property of the recipient.
Otherwise (if shipped by common carrier) that involves hundreds of dollars and (based on the madhouses that I've personally witnessed at truck depots during this year-long stay-home buying binge) it just seems to me that the risk of truck-line damage is just as high as via any other shipping method.
I would strongly recommend that someone schedule a road-trip to blokeplace to pick up this instrument. Just as always, we would put folks up and feed them.
For those who don't know, we're in rural western Tennessee roughly a half-hour south of Interstate 40 and roughly the same distance north of Interstate 22.
I believe most anyone will find that - when instruments are purchased from us - they are every bit as nice as represented, and - if anything - the condition of used instruments is typically underrepresented.
If someone needs to pay this way, we accept the four major credit cards. If you allow us to choose the method of payment, we would just as soon receive your check.
These are wonderful instruments with great intonation, and - for some people - could prove to be better choices than one of the "large F tubas". Online specs are re-posted here:
.681" bore
17" bell diameter
weight is approximately 18 lbs.
