WTB: Bb Euphonium <$300

[cbutterworth]

Last December, my 12 year old played his first Tuba Christmas (in Denver, CO). He loved it.

He is very keen that I learn euphonium so that I can join him next Christmas.

So….. I am looking for a cheap Bb euphonium. I don’t mind if it is beaten-up as long as I can make it play.

Ideally, I’d like to pay less than $300 including shipping to Denver, CO. It would be even better if I could collect it in person that’d allow me to apply shipping costs to purchase costs.

ALSO…… any opinions are welcome too!

Thanks,
Charlie

[DonO.]

Charlie- I am sorry you haven’t gotten any replies yet. You are going to have a very hard time finding something in that price range that is worth having, especially when you factor in shipping which would likely be over 100 dollars. That would leave only 200 for a decently playable horn? However, if you were willing to let your budget go up just a little you could do much better. Say, up to the $500 range. Taylor Music in South Dakota offers what they call “Student Practice Euphoniums” for 488. They say their shop puts these horns in great playing shape but minimal attention to cosmetics. These are brand name horns but you don’t get choice of brand. Dan Schultz, the “Village Tinker”, often has 3 valve euphoniums for sale on his site for around $500 dollars. These are usually American made brands like Conn and Olds, he takes out all the dents and strips the lacquer so they are raw brass. Music Go Round often has horns that might do well for you. There are two stores in your state, Colorado Springs and Aurora. You could avoid shipping charges by buying there in person. Aurora is showing that they have two Jupiter baritone horns for 399 right now. A baritone horn is not much different from a euphonium and it would serve your purpose (more cylindrical bore as opposed to more conical). That’s something you could just walk in and buy without going too much over budget. Beware of the tempting inexpensive Made in India euphoniums you see on auction sites! They are junk and not worth owning. Stick with major brands. Look for names like Jupiter, Eastman, Conn, King, Olds, and you will have something actually worth owning. Hopefully this will get you off to a good start. Good luck!

[cbutterworth]

Don,

Thank-you for the advice. I am going to keep looking around and will look at Music Go Round! As well as the repair/refurbish person in SD.

Regards,
Charlie

[MartinMan]

I have a bellfront baritone I'd be willing to let go for that price range.

I have a proper euphonium as well if you're set on that, but it wouldn't fit that budget

[cbutterworth]

Martin,

Where are you based? It’d save shipping costs if I could pick-up in person. I am located in Denver metro area and am willing to drive some way to make a pick-up.

Charlie

[Pauvog1]

I have a euphonium listed. Not at your listed budget, but a very fine player that would last them quite a while.

[bort2.0]

I have a Reynolds Emperor (made in Abilene, TX) bell-front that I could sell. Needs to be shipped, but it is in okay shape and it plays well enough.

[greenbean]

I have an Eastman 3-valve euphonium with upright bell. Bell needs to be straightened out but it is a solid horn. Comes in original case. $300 + shipping

[bloke]

I have an Eastman 3-valve euphonium with upright bell. Bell needs to be straightened out but it is a solid horn. Comes in original case. $300 + shipping

extremely generous offer

[humBell]

Remind me what distinguishes a baritone from a euphonium?

Tuba xmas conductors have posited 1 is bell front. But i am pretty sure if that has any baring, it is merely correlative, not definitive.

Anyway, if all you are looking for is a beater to learn and have fun on, yeah i think you can beat $300 easy.

https://ebay.com/itm/363747997993 from someone who occasionally chimes in here, so you probably can expect useful answers to queries before hand.

And this here seller regularly offers stuff that is bid upon, but starts cheap.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=ba ... grwinds616

Sure, there is risk as i don't believe they are fully vetted by musicians, but well, um, be patient and choose wisely. There are enough offered that a few good ones will slip through the cracks cheaply. This is the seller bloke got short Holton tuba from for <$500 if i recall.