TubaForum.net

Looking for a horn for my son's friend (he's 10, like my son, and just finished his first year of band).

He rented a "baritone" last year, and I'm trying to get him set up with a better horn that he can own, and not waste money renting a worse, but new, instrument.

Most likely looking for:
* Yamaha 321 or similar. Maybe King 2280
* ^More generally, bell up, upright valves, 4 valves preferred (non-comp fine obviously)
* Hard case is a plus but not required
* Mechanically solid and no major dents/issues
* Doesn't need to be shiny/new, but not beat up either.
* Budget is $500-1000

Thanks!

I have a 3-valve Besson comp that would be great for a beginner. I haven't tried very hard to sell it, but I do have a listing on Facebook marketplace. https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... 178688836/

arpthark had a YEP-321 listed:

https://www.tubaforum.net/viewtopic.php ... 80#p124680

prodigal wrote: Fri May 22, 2026 11:40 am arpthark had a YEP-321 listed:

https://www.tubaforum.net/viewtopic.php ... 80#p124680

@arpthark -- I had messaged you about this a while back, but don't think I heard back. Is it still available?

gnimoyw wrote: Fri May 22, 2026 9:11 am I have a 3-valve Besson comp that would be great for a beginner. I haven't tried very hard to sell it, but I do have a listing on Facebook marketplace. https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... 178688836/

Oh man, that's pretty. Sending you a message...

There's a Wessex Dolce on the trombone forum for sale. They are decent instruments. 3+1 comp.

A (sensible) middle school band director (a professional brass player) reminded me (just yesterday) what a "beginner" brass instrument is.

If I could, I would trade all these freakin' 4-valve euphoniums and double horns for 3-valve, and swap these two F-attachment trombones for four regular trombones.
This equipment is too costly, and too delicate for these kids - particularly those who don't receive much parenting, and buying new 4-valve instruments uses up too much of my budget.

They also have a Buffet R-13 clarinet in their fleet (donated by a nearly military base band, which was downsizing - prior to this middle band director accepting this job) with (now) a busted joint.

bloke wrote: A (sensible) middle school band director...

I generally agree. But I also think it depends on the kid and the school. And yes, the parents.

My son (and seemingly his friend, who we've known for 4+ years or something) are both the kind of kids who seem to handle what's given to them and take it seriously enough. I'm friends with his parents, they are great (smart, successful) people.

I'll just say, for the kids who can handle better stuff, it's good to get them started with the real stuff as soon as possible. It's not an outright requirement, but there can be a lot of real benefits and motivations attached to it. I think we're all fortunate for what we have, and "tuba" is always better than "no tuba." But gratitude doesn't erase the fact that "better tuba" is better than just "tuba."

Side note: my son (and his friend) are clearly bored in beginning band, they love playing but the music is, well, boring. I'm thinking some tuba/euph duets could be the perfect solution for these kids!

...But I also think it depends on the kid and the school. And yes, the parents.

fine...and - MY POINT - that's when private individuals, for/non-profit corporations, other private organizations, and individual parents can step in and (WITHOUT abusing hapless taxpayers - struggling to pay their day-to-day personal bills - including, I'd wager, a significant percentage of the subscribers to this board) make their own individual decisions.

When we (who "love" instrumental music) begin to insist that others finance quasi-luxurious pursuits of our family members' endeavors (by supplying quasi-luxurious equipment - even indoor air-conditioned/heated marching band practice fields ), we - then - should keep our mouths shut when we are forced to finance others' optional interests (sports, et al) by being taxed to construct luxurious arenas and stadiums for their school (and even for private/professional local - which should CERTAINLY be providing their facilities, and totally at their own expense. There is a political system whereby government decides which private entities get and which ones do not get...The name of that system begins with an "f".)

Beyond "adequate", luxurious equipment and facilities should be donated charitably (or - again - personally), rather than taken via coercion.

Is that a political statement? (Hell...what statement - of any substantive value - isn't "political" to some extent?)

Schiller