[Traded] Alexander 163 CC

[bort2.0]

Bump... Probably listing soon, so if interested, let me know.

[KingTuba1241X]

I thought this was gone?

[bort2.0]

Nope!

[Mark Horne]

You mention that you haven't had to Alex out of your house. Before you let it go, you may want to do yourself a favor and play the horn in the largest space you can find. In my experience the 163s sound like crap in small spaces because they were designed to project in a concert venue. Their tone color was likewise optimized for a concert hall. Roger Lewis shared this information with me based on his discussions with Chester Schmitz. My own experience backs this up.

I can understand wanting to move on from a 4-valve CC because I have become very dependent on having a 5th valve. I believe that I have owned 21 tubas since 2009, and I had up to eight simultaneously at one point. If I were forced to only keep one horn it would be the Alex.

[KingTuba1241X]

You mention that you haven't had to Alex out of your house. Before you let it go, you may want to do yourself a favor and play the horn in the largest space you can find. In my experience the 163s sound like crap in small spaces because they were designed to project in a concert venue. Their tone color was likewise optimized for a concert hall. Roger Lewis shared this information with me based on his discussions with Chester Schmitz. My own experience backs this up.

I can understand wanting to move on from a 4-valve CC because I have become very dependent on having a 5th valve. I believe that I have owned 21 tubas since 2009, and I had up to eight simultaneously at one point. If I were forced to only keep one horn it would be the Alex.

I think the first part of this statement goes for most any tuba. The feedback under an 8' ceiling inside a house is a HORRIBLE way to test horns and to record your youtube videos (no offense to anyone that does). I've had really awesome horns that lit up a stage or concert hall but sounded like a constipated baboon at home practicing.

[bort2.0]

Definitely agree! I've got a few tall ceiling spaces here at home, and that makes a lot of difference!

It's a fantastic tuba, best that I have owned, and quite possibly the best one that I've ever played (and I've owned and played quite a few).

My motivation for selling is purely financial. It makes little sense for me to own something quite so nice just to use it a few times per year, if even that.

[Ace]

You mention that you haven't had to Alex out of your house. Before you let it go, you may want to do yourself a favor and play the horn in the largest space you can find. In my experience the 163s sound like crap in small spaces because they were designed to project in a concert venue. Their tone color was likewise optimized for a concert hall. Roger Lewis shared this information with me based on his discussions with Chester Schmitz. My own experience backs this up.

I can understand wanting to move on from a 4-valve CC because I have become very dependent on having a 5th valve. I believe that I have owned 21 tubas since 2009, and I had up to eight simultaneously at one point. If I were forced to only keep one horn it would be the Alex.

Hey Mark, we miss you here in the San Francisco Bay area, especially your fine work on contra bass clarinet in the Clarinet Fusion ensemble. On tuba, I seem to remember you played quite a bit on your Neptune tuba with the Walnut Creek Concert Band. It appears now your affections have shifted to the Alexander 163. Both are good tubas. Hope things are going well for you in Texas.

Best, Ace

[Doc]

I think the first part of this statement goes for most any tuba. The feedback under an 8' ceiling inside a house is a HORRIBLE way to test horns and to record your youtube videos (no offense to anyone that does). I've had really awesome horns that lit up a stage or concert hall but sounded like a constipated baboon at home practicing.

Until I got a good mic, I recorded straight to iPhone. And you can tell. I did a video recently in which I tested my new room's acoustics for iPhone purposes. Not bad for speaking, but still crappy for tuba. At least this room is not 100% hard surfaces (so it's less crappy).

@bort2.0
Email on the way.

[Heavy_Metal]

Nope!

Good!

I get the part about owning something this excellent and not getting to use it- but these times won't last forever, and when you start to play again you'll be glad you kept it.

[bort2.0]

Bumping this one more time to see what interest may be out there.

Would consider a trade + cash arrangement as well.

I'm actually not sure what I want right now as a replacement, either, and I'm kind of open to a LOT of things with an upright bell in the $3k-ish range, respectable condition, but nothing Chinese and no Eb tubas. CC, BBb, and F would all be okay, thought. I'll even do pistons.

[Stryk]

Drooling over here!

[martyneilan]

Bumping this one more time to see what interest may be out there.

Would consider a trade + cash arrangement as well.

I'll trade you a used Kellyberg for the horn and as much cash as you can give me, then.
Like several posters above mentioned, those horns don't really sing until you get into a big hall.

Just. Keep. The. Alex.

[bort2.0]

I'm beginning to think y'all have staged an intervention for me, and this is the part where you say you refuse to enable my habit. :)

But seriously, tuba is FAR less of a priority in my life now, than it was when I made my initial $6000+ "investment" in a quality tuba. I'm back to the point now where something half as much (or less?) will serve my needs just as well, if not better. And if I get serious again, the good news is, there are lots and lots of good tubas out there.

There's only one of these. Someone else had it before me. I have it now. Will YOU be the next one?

[Jinitude]

I’ve been thinking about trading my Holton Harvey Phillips CC tuba. I was looking for a rotary and this one is a piston. Fantastic shape and the valves are great….some are vented.

[jtm]

Good grief, Brett. How am I supposed to choose between this tuba that's too far away and the wonderful 188 that's too far away?

[Antontuba]

PM sent.

[bort2.0]

On hold

[bort2.0]

No longer available, trade in progress

[jonesbrass]

No longer available, trade in progress

Wow! It will be interesting to find out what you traded for!

[Doc]

No longer available, trade in progress

I look forward to your email regarding the related topic we discussed. And congratulations on your trade. Pic and audio, please.