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After a few decades as a lapsed tuba player, I'm getting back into playing, loving it (of course) and would like to upgrade from my very old student model. I'd like to try out a few different options. I'm sort of near Denver, so not near the bigger music stores with stock in tubas, as far as I can tell. Are there regional ITEA conferences this year? I understand they may have makers with models to try out. But I only see the international conference in Spain as an option. So maybe a road trip to some of the big dealers the way to go?

I realize it's a bit of a drive, but TMEA in San Antonio is coming up next month. You can go in and register as a visitor, then hit the exhibit hall and play everything to your heart's content. Other than that, I think there's a place in Castlerock that has a few.

Went to TMEA for the first time last year and was totally amazed. Just about everything I could imagine was there, except for the Miraphone 494 Hagen. So I definitely second the suggestion.

And San Antonio is every Texan’s favorite city.

Eric

TxTx wrote: ↑Mon Jan 13, 2025 1:07 am And San Antonio is every Texan’s favorite city.

I'll be there for the exhibits this year. Just lookin' and playin'.

TMEA is fantastic! 35,000 attendees every year. Most of the music manufacturers as well. Great seeing old friends there as well.

We will also be exhibiting at TMEA, our first time. I'll also put in a plug for the US Army Band's Tuba-Euph Workshop held at Ft. Myer, VA at the end of this month. This is one of the best shows to attend to get your fill of playing, listening, hanging out, and putting hands on many instruments.

And you can visit our showroom in Cincinnati when we're not at a show. CVG is about 45 minutes from our location and several airlines offer non-stop flights from Denver.

TxTx wrote: ↑Mon Jan 13, 2025 1:07 am Went to TMEA for the first time last year and was totally amazed. Just about everything I could imagine was there, except for the Miraphone 494 Hagen. So I definitely second the suggestion.

And San Antonio is every Texan’s favorite city.

Eric

I think maybe the 494 wasn't there because I bought the one that was at the Army conference after LeMark play tested it for me. I have to assume that they took one that had been thoroughly tested ahead of time, to the conference.

Funny, I started my job here in Tucson in June after I graduated from school. In August I got a call from San Antonio wanting to give me a job interview -- but given the heat plus humidity as opposed to just heat here, I demurred. Maybe I would have loved San Antonio, but I'll never know. Tucson is pretty good.

Mary Ann wrote: ↑Mon Jan 13, 2025 9:34 am I think maybe the 494 wasn't there because I bought the one that was at the Army conference after LeMark play tested it for me. I have to assume that they took one that had been thoroughly tested ahead of time, to the conference.

Funny, I started my job here in Tucson in June after I graduated from school. In August I got a call from San Antonio wanting to give me a job interview -- but given the heat plus humidity as opposed to just heat here, I demurred. Maybe I would have loved San Antonio, but I'll never know. Tucson is pretty good.

I don't know about that, concerning your 494. Matt at Dillons imported my 496 straight from Germany and it arrived a couple of months early because another buyer backed out.

Also, I think you made a wise choice concerning San Antonio. The traffic alone is maddening. Then when you figure in the heat and humidity, I'll stick with Amarillo weather.

The miraphone show inventory for TMEA is exclusive to the conventions, and is different than the stock at Dillon.

In fact, the Norwegian star they show at TMEA was the very first one imported to the US, and basically still in prototype, because it was shipped without engraving. I tried to talk Christian into selling it to me, but that one plays so amazing he wants to hold onto it. I'm not saying that newer NS are bad, but mine is one built in the 1st 5 years of production, but it is noticeably heavier than the newer ones, and I think mine and the prototype plays a bit darker than the one that Dillon brought last year to the DC show

None of that explains why they didn't have a 494 last year.... I don't know

But you can verify that the one I bought was the one you play tested at the Army conference. Whence it came, I dunno.

oh yeah, 100%

I was just saying that miraphone doesn't do a booth at the DC conference, Dillon does. Miraphone also doesn't sell their display models

BuddyRogersMusic wrote: ↑Mon Jan 13, 2025 8:50 am We will also be exhibiting at TMEA, our first time. I'll also put in a plug for the US Army Band's Tuba-Euph Workshop held at Ft. Myer, VA at the end of this month. This is one of the best shows to attend to get your fill of playing, listening, hanging out, and putting hands on many instruments.

And you can visit our showroom in Cincinnati when we're not at a show. CVG is about 45 minutes from our location and several airlines offer non-stop flights from Denver.

A little over 2 hours up the road on 71 is Buckeye Brass, who has the Miraphone line in store (and he does the Miraphone exhibits), Cerveny, some of the Big Mouth Brass tubas, and Rob’s OBIC designs, along with other consignment horns.

Not trying to steal your show Chris since I know your offerings are completely different.

A trip to the wonderful state of Ohio is a great place to try out horns.

The Tuba Showroom exists in Florida, with B&S, Meinl Weston, and Besson horns. I don’t know how it works over there, but as far as I know they’re still open.

California retailer: Horn Guys in Pasadena, Steve Ferguson...there is an open house there January 26th, with free beer Some sort of show/convention during the preceding week, call the shop to find out if they expect manufacturers. Steve sells Gronitz, Alexander, and Miraphone

Texas retailer: Denton Big Brass in Denton TX

Texas: Texas Music Educators Association: Big Show I hear with manufacturers, distributors, and retailers. Lotta tuba popularity February 12-15

Denver people to contact: I think it is ok to mention a couple of local teachers who may have suggestions for retailers or distributors to reach out to that are workable for Colorado residents,
both have active successful studios Mike Dunn Colorado University at Boulder and Steve Dombrowski is now at at Denver University

I'm near Boulder and have a bevy o' used horns but likely nothing you'd be interested in

hope this helps....dp

Thank you all for the great suggestions. This is such a helpful group, with a wealth of information, but then again, we are tuba players, so we have to look out for each other!

All of your suggestions give me a lot to contemplate in my planning to acquire a new tuba. Irony abounds as of course I was recently near the Ohio stores mentioned, and not so long ago I lived on the east coast. But I will take a well-informed path from here!

Just be aware if you come to texas, the only E flat tubas you may be able to try are the packer, the eastman, the miraphone Norwegian Star and maybe the St Petersburg. That's the usual offering I would hate for you to travel all that way and be disappointed in the selection

LeMark wrote: ↑Fri Jan 17, 2025 7:39 am Just be aware if you come to texas, the only E flat tubas you may be able to try are the packer, the eastman, the miraphone Norwegian Star and maybe the St Petersburg. That's the usual offering I would hate for you to travel all that way and be disappointed in the selection

Wessex will be at TMEA as well.

Very true! Forgot about them

They have at least 2 Ebs I like, the tubby and the new front action 3+1. (forgot the name of it)

Oops, I got this conversation confused with one on Facebook where someone was asking specifically where to test play E flat tubas. Never mind and carry on

LeMark wrote: ↑Fri Jan 17, 2025 9:49 am They have at least 2 Ebs I like, the tubby and the new front action 3+1. (forgot the name of it)

Probably only bring Tubby and Gnagey, though quite a few of the other Eb models are in the Denton showroom.