If you could buy a new tuba, would you?

[kingrob76]

I would probably change horns, but, I can't say for certain it would be a new horn. I'm more likely to drop a nut like that on the college bills that start next year.

[GC]

I'd keep my Packer JP377 for brass band, but for concert band work I'd like to add a new lightweight BBb like the JP379B, the Eastman EBB226, or the Mack Brass TU422L. After that, a relatively inexpensive new F tuba just for the sake of learning. No desire for any CC tuba.

The only big horn I might want would be the Wessex Leviathan hand-hammered version (21 pounds). I'm getting too old and weak to deal with a heavy instrument again. Plus no more used horns for me. Modern instruments are generally better intonation-wise than older instruments (there are always exceptions, of course), and not having to fight pitches into place is the #1 thing I look for in a horn. Why waste effort and concentration when near point-and-shoot instruments are out there?

[Casca Grossa]

Nope...if I were to do anything tuba related with that kind of money, I would probably pretty up the older of my two 184's and have it brought back to brand new condition.

[bloke]

The 2265 knocked the market value down on the 2165 and the 6450 knocked down the market value on the 2265.

just as the Chino lap sousaphones knocked down the market value of the 6450.

again, though…
If absolutely forced to play a lap sousaphone - assuming a viable job - the choice of a Yamaha would be an easy choice, as those offer the closest to a usable scale.

[matt g]

The 2265 knocked the market value down on the 2165 and the 6450 knocked down the market value on the 2265.

just as the Chino lap sousaphones knocked down the market value of the 6450.

again, though…
If absolutely forced to play a lap sousaphone - assuming a viable job - the choice of a Yamaha would be an easy choice, as those offer the closest to a usable scale.

I’m talking specifically in-brand.

The Chinese horns have shifted the market in general. Lots of people are buying 186 clones instead of used 186s. The 6/4 Yorkalikes have killed the secondary market for used 6/4 tubas.

[bloke]

I sure don’t like working on those Jimbo 186s (valve issues, etc.)
and for me to comment on any more on 6/4 lap sousaphones would define nuclear redundancy.

[Tim Jackson]

Oh yes!!

But the harder question is can you make room for another and could let go of something you already have. Question 2 (have to be old to understand) There comes a time when you have to decide to stay where you're at and develop on the best instrument you have.

If I had a windfall of money:
I would go to a few major shops in search of the grail. It takes me a few years to finally bond with something new and then decide I might be able to cut something loose.

I have a very hard time selling things as each horn is somewhat rare and not possible to just go grab another.
Current favorites I can't come to grips with selling:
Walter Nirschl 4/4 85'
1960 186 5U CC
Early CB50
CB 50 with York bell
York 6/4 BBb
Yamaha 621 F

Sadly, I'm selling the Nirschl as I just don't need a full 4/4 (easily one of the best horns I've ever had)
Eventually, I will sell one of the G50s

1960 186... every time I think of selling - I break it out and spend a few days on it realizing it is one of the best horns one could ever find.
If one has not experienced a vintage well-kept 60s 186 mirafone OMG it is THE HORN. I was lucky to buy Bill Keck's back in the day at USM.

So, I will gladly buy another tuba if it can beat out things in my current stable. What I would look for is a smallish 4/4 CC with an easy low range, incredible slots in the octave above middle c. near-perfect intonation. Probably valves. The finish is not important. Age is not a consideration.

Maybe one of Lee Stofer's hand-made CCs. I wouldn't have to travel - just an easy phone call... send it on down!

[tclements]

If money were no object, here is what I would buy (in this order):

Adams York Copy (old Hirsbrunner HB50)
Alexander 163 CC, gold brass (6 valves please)
Alexander 157 F, gold brass (6 valves please)

[Stryk]

Alexander 163 CC, gold brass (6 valves please)

I thought you bought one recently? (5 valve version?)

[bloke]

I’ve had instruments here that offered overlapping purposes – in reference to those that were/are already here.
With a “main squeeze” here in each of the five common lengths (as well as a couple of length duplicates, where one instrument in a particular length doesn’t satisfactory cover all situations) - and retained here after decades of comparisons with other models that have either been in my possession, or have been here to be repaired -
the problem would be (and has been in the past, when they were too many instruments here classified as “mine“) maintaining familiarity with all of them.
This is another reason why “intonation characteristics“ weigh so very heavily in my choice of instruments to keep for myself, because it’s just too hard to remember and to “auto-correct” all of the quirks that an array of (well…quirky) instruments would offer. I just don’t have the time to sit down several hours each day and (constantly reminding myself of what Hass to be done to make them work properly) play a bunch of tubas.

[bort2.0]

Just to be clear, my question was about big money, but not like crazy big money.

Like of you won $50k on a game show, not like winning $50 million in the lottery.

These days, I'd probably choose to travel with the money. As much as I'd love a new 188, spending $5k twice on two really memorable trips seems like a better idea to me. I mean, I've been sitting next to really great tubas for years that have gone unused. I don't need more of that.

[bloke]

For me to spend $50,000 on "travel", I would need to be remarkably unhappy with my current digs (whereby quite the opposite is true), and would also (based on how little money is actually worth, yet how much $50,000 is to many people) worth at least $50,000,000 - and to be worth $50,000,000 (no...probably more like $100,000,000) not just "on paper", but in cash.

I can think of dozens of places to which I could drive my car (in 1/2 a day to 3 days) whereby I would be quite satisfied - as far as traveling (tourism) is concerned, and - to a place - none of them are places whereby/nearly there are very many people to be found.

[bort2.0]

Who said anything about spending $50k on travel?

My point was, if I won $50k, and set aside $10k of that for a new tuba (which probably isn't really enough for much these days), I would probably prefer to take two $5k trips instead of buying the $10k tuba.

[Mark E. Chachich]

No

My Alexander 163 has done everything that I needed. My MW 32 is a fine back-up tuba. My York E flat did what I needed for a bass tuba.
All of my musical failures are my fault. My tubas allowed me to do what was needed.

Happy New Year!
Mark

[bloke]

ok...but $5K (particularly, when anyone-in-particular doesn't have enough money banked to stop working at a "job") still sounds like a bunch (for "travel"), to me.
me: I'm already here. If I go to India (an - albeit: some fascinating - large collection of places that I probably won't like as much as "here"), I'll have to pay to get back here.

Who said anything about spending $50k on travel?

My point was, if I won $50k, and set aside $10k of that for a new tuba (which probably isn't really enough for much these days), I would probably prefer to take two $5k trips instead of buying the $10k tuba.

[tclements]

I thought you bought one recently? (5 valve version?)


Nope

[MN_TimTuba]

To Brett's original question, I'd answer 'yes'.
Having just purchased 2 tubas in 10 months (and 3 in 2 yrs) I find that it's a fun thing to do.
If by "new" you mean "brand new, no previous owner" I'd still say 'yes'.
Although I don't see a real need for another BBb tuba in my den (unless I'd replace my beater YBB 103 with a new 4 valve model or clone for dixie band use), I do have interest in learning Eb on something like the 983 Besson to use on solos or dixie. I also wouldn't mind having a bell-front BBb for outdoor concert band performances, but I'm not sure who makes those 'new' anymore.
Of course, there are times playing with the community band when I really miss the majestic voice of the old 345, so I could probably be tempted to purchase a new 6/4 BAT and let 'er rip once again.
But, until that $50,000 drops from the sky I'll keep enjoying what I've got.
Tim

[prairieboy1]

Yes. Miraphone "98"

[bloke]

Yes. Miraphone "98"

well duh.

[dp]

New? Hell I would dig getting that Alex 173 back...