Manufaktur VMI Ensignia engraved (B&S) Model 3301 - Priced to sell $4,000

[rnathan541@yahoo.com]

Could anyone please recommend a company that is in the business of buying (not consigning) instruments such as my Manufaktur (Pre - B&S) Model 3301 Tuba? From what I have heard it is rare and given the condition it is in it may be valuable. Zero dents and fully functional vales. It appears to need only a professional polishing and cleaning. I have not been able to find a comparable model anywhere online accept a sterling silver version for sale @ $13,000 usd.

FOr some reason, this forum will not let me upload pics, so here is the address to my eBay posting. https://www.ebay.com/itm/386916501913

Please provide any insight you may have regarding this model Tuba. I have not been able to locate a comparable one anywhere online. I would attach the many photos I have but the files are too large. Contact me if interested and I will send over some photos.

Thanks in advance.

[matt g]

Here in the USA those were labeled VMI and we had the 3301 and the 3302 (5 valve).

Brook Mays and Woodwind Brasswind were pushing hose pretty hard in the late 1990s and you could pick one up for $3500 or so new then.

Good tubas but they didn’t stick around.

Regarding places that buy horns outright? That’s pretty tricky. Most places need to turn a profit so it’s either consignment or you sell it to them for even less since they have to take on the inventory risk.

[arpthark]

Plenty of folks would be interested in a nice German-made BBb tuba. Those 3301s are nice horns. Post it for sale here or on the Facebook groups, including lots of pics and location and I'm sure you can find a buyer through a private sale. I think your price is fair.

Shoot me an email with pics at beanhillbrass@gmail.com and I can host and post photos for you on imgur.

[rnathan541@yahoo.com]

Give your location and list it here

[Dents Be Gone!]

I agree, guys. This is the way to go.

[Sousaswag]

They are excellent instruments. I owned a 5 valve version several years ago. $4,000 is a REALLY good price for one of these. Someone will snatch it up in a few weeks.

[arpthark]

Posting pics on behalf of Randall. He said he is located in Medford, Oregon.

[DonO.]

Why does EVERYBODY who lists this brand for sale list the brand as “Manufaktur”? How do they miss the big “VMI” logo above it? “VMI Manufaktur” literally means “made by VMI”.

I had one of their 4 valve non compensating euphoniums for a while, purchased new from WWBW. I was very happy with it until I gave upon euphonium. Better horn than the Yamaha 321 for less money.

This tuba looks really nice. I would be tempted to snap it up for 4000. I’m just sorry it’s in Oregon. No way I’m making a cross country trip for a tuba. But for someone who wants a nice German piston BBb and lives in the West, Bob’s your uncle.

[rnathan541@yahoo.com]

No need for a road trip. I can pack and ship it today.

[DonO.]

Yes, well, thank you for that offer. But I would not buy a tuba without a test drive first. But fear not, my friend. I believe you WILL sell this, and fairly quickly.

[rnathan541@yahoo.com]

Understood. And thank you for the input.

[bloke]

I picked up one in similar condition (with the far-more-practical lacquer finish), and I believe I sold it for $5XXX.

I've always said that - at least, to me - they appear to be some sort of C model (PT-2P ?) which was elongated (via a few internal flips and flops) to a B-flat instrument.

I, a recent convert (former "professional C tuba" player, now "amateur B-flat tuba" player), I rate those as "VERY good", but not what I would buy to keep for myself.

...but take NO stock in my opinions, keeping in mind that...

- My big-ass B-flat is one of which only around thirty-or-so were made (which obviously means that they must suck, yes?)
- My 5/4 B-flat is a two-bells (24" recording and 17" upright) 3+1 compensating Besson from the early/mid 1960's (an AWESOME intonation and resonating instrument...but auto-spat-upon by American players).
- My 4/4 B-flat is a 32" Holton/York style 4+1 (homemade) with a 19" bell (incredible power/punch) with a highly-adulterated King valveset (whereby the first question asked on tubaforum was "Why didn't you built it in C..!?!?")

[arpthark]

Yes, this is basically the BBb version of the PT-20P CC tuba, and is arguably a better instrument.

Former PT-20P CC owner, here...