WTB: 3/4 or lightweight 4/4 BBb tuba

[arpthark]

Posting on behalf of a friend of mine in community band. In his mid-70s, he is looking for something lightweight and portable for standing gigs. He plays a lot of Dixieland which occasionally has him standing for 2 hours at a time. Currently playing on a Miraphone 190 Kaiser (!!!) with the strap rings, so anything a bit more ergonomic would be welcome.

There has been a lot of talk here lately about "old man" tubas, so please let me know if you have something for sale. Would likely need to do local pickup in the New England or NYC Metro areas.

Shoot me a PM or email at beanhillbrass at gmail. Thanks!

[Rick Denney]

A weight description would be helpful. Lots of smaller tubas are heavy, and more than a few larger tubas are rather light.

Or, it may be a handling problem. If my Holton weight 26 ounces instead of 26 pounds, I would still not stand with it--there's just no way to position it while standing that allow lips and mouthpiece to come into comfortable contact. My B&S 101 weighs about 15 pounds (I haven't weighed it, so I'm guessing) and would be pretty easy to hang on a strap, even though it's something like 42" tall.

I bought an old Miraphone 184 to use for quintet gigs where a Bb tuba was my preferred choice, and its both light and easy to handle. But it gives an F tuba impression more than a Bb tuba, so the contrast between it and a 190 might be a bit too much.

But the only tuba I've owned that presented no discomfort to play while standing is my Yamaha 621 F tuba. It weighs 14 pounds, but it's also just a little big larger than a euphonium. It's easy for me to hang it on a harness, but I can also one-arm it and even reach around and hold valves down with my left hand when needed. A 621 Bb or one of its knockoffs might be an option, though with some of the same playing characteristics as that 184.

Rick "even a Miraphone 186 is smaller and lighter than a 190" Denney

[LeMark]

Packer has a very good 3/4 BBb called the 179

The Packer 379b is a very nice 4/4 wrapped in the size of a 3/4, it's around 19 lbs and easy to handle. I find the short 15" bell makes it very easy to handle when lifting it. If I wind up with the 494 hagen. (the premiere choice for a compact BBb). I'll be selling the 379b, and I could make you him a VERY good deal)



The Yamaha 621 is of course very nice, but pricey.

[arpthark]

Thanks @Rick Denney. I will see if he has a specific weight range in mind, but I would guess something under the 20 pound mark. Having played it, the 190 is pretty heavy and an ergonomic challenge, as you allude to.

@LeMark, please do keep me in mind for the 379b. Will send you a PM.

[LeMark]

Replied! Another thing about short bell tubas. They balance very well, so the fatigue factor is non existent while playing them. There isn't a bell stack pulling you to your left, and you can hear yourself so much better

After 20 years of playing a piggy, they will always be my preferred instrument

That link I put up was made the day after I bought the horn. I was in a practice room and using my phone. Doesn't really do the horn justice. I would say the horn very much feels like the older miraphone 186 when thet still had a 16 inch bell

[bloke]

But the only tuba I've owned that presented no discomfort to play while standing is my Yamaha 621 F tuba. It weighs 14 pounds, but it's also just a little big larger than a euphonium.

' might as well take this opportunity to announce that there is now a low-priced quality knockoff...
(so chide me for my overt/offensive/raw capitalism, or - as someone was once heard to say - "an obscene commercial break profit time-out")
...p.m. for best price...and I will need to check availability...

https://jpmusicalinstruments.com/produc ... 79f-f-tuba

[matt g]

I’m guessing they’ve got someone on the line pulling and checking them. Probably a good idea vice rolling the dice with importing your own.

[jtm]

I bet it’s a lot of fun (and I loved the size when I tried a Yamaha), but it’s certainly not Bb.

[LeMark]

Wouldn't surprise me to see a Packer 279B and a 279C someday to go with the 279F