Repairman Specials

[hrender]

Couple that popped up on eB. Good prices, but both need work. That the King looks similar to the one that just sold is an interesting coincidence, but it's an older model horn.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/353577641857


https://www.ebay.com/itm/274870160810

[bloke]

With the cost of pistons/casings being rebuilt as it stands now, any instrument like that old-style 2341 – unless approx. free (based on the sellers report of its condition) - is a nonstarter, for me.

If I picked up a Markneukirchen-made piston C tuba which was a desirable model - and needed that job, I would probably just get JP to send me one of their really nice piston valve 4+1 complete machines with circuits and slides - brand new.

I can’t even risk selling an instrument like that - even clearly stating “needing a valve job”, because the party to whom I would sell it might end up not disclosing that to the next buyer, but yet disclose that they bought it from me.
ie. A no-reputation layman - selling “as is“ - can feign ignorance, but an reputable judged-to-be “expert“ cannot.

[the elephant]

I agree. The King looks like a classic "overhaul shop" tuba, whereby it was pimped out (accessible dents, new lacquer) and the valves were ignored to avoid having to disassemble the whole horn. This is one of those horns where the buffing could be of the criminal variety. I would not buy this if it looks this good but has valve issues; something stinks.

[The Big Ben]

The seller has a lot of "refurbished" items.

[bloke]

I agree. The King looks like a classic "overhaul shop" tuba, whereby it was pimped out (accessible dents, new lacquer) and the valves were ignored to avoid having to disassemble the whole horn. This is one of those horns where the buffing could be of the criminal variety. I would not buy this if it looks this good but has valve issues; something stinks.

Poor valve compression, likely needs a valve job, otherwise it seems to be in good condition, please see photos.

[York-aholic]

That King would have made a perfect "trailer queen" at tuba shows.

"No, you can't play it, it is just for display."

[bloke]

Maybe…?? the best way to sell old tubas - with shot valves and patches - is to make up some fascinating stories about their provenance, etc...
ex. “0llie Garck played this instrument in the East McKeesport Shriners Band in 1937“...etc...

[York-aholic]

Maybe…?? the best way to sell old tubas - with shot valves and patches - is to make up some fascinating stories about their provenance, etc...
ex. “0llie Garck played this instrument in the East McKeesport Shriners Band in 1937“...etc...

Dang, how did I miss this horn? Ollie Garck was my great uncle’s cousin!

[Rick Denney]

So, I’m perusing the threads on Tapatalk, which shows the first line of the latest post.

I just had to find out who the hell Ollie Garck was.

Figures.

Rick “who got a valve job done on the Holton before it strictly needed it because you have to pay the experts when they are still around” Denney

[the elephant]

… Ollie Garck…

He's friends with Dick Tater…

[bloke]

Years ago,
I sold a very nice Mt. Vernon Bach trumpet locally to a guy named Richard Head.
A year later, he traded it off to someone for a Stromvi, and lived up to his name.