[Traded] Alexander 163 CC

Read forum rules before posting.
Forum rules
This is for buying or selling your personal equipment, but sponsored selling is allowed as well. We are requiring all ads to have the following information. Price, (even for trades) Brand, Model, and location (for instruments, not accessories) need to be included in the ad, or at least be very clear in link provided. It is acceptable to link to an external ad if you are promoting a sale of your personal equipment. No Ebay Auctions, but Buy it now listings are fine. Photos are HIGHLY suggested as well. If you see an ad that does not meet these criteria, please report it.
User avatar
bort2.0
Posts: 5214
Joined: Thu Aug 13, 2020 9:13 am
Location: Minneapolis
Has thanked: 332 times
Been thanked: 981 times

[Traded] Alexander 163 CC

Post by bort2.0 »

Before reading any further, please save me the public teasing or joking, because 1) I do absolutely love this instrument and 2) I could easily keep it forever. However, my playing needs and perhaps even my style are changing a bit, and I'm not convinced that it's the right decision for me to keep it.

I'm still resolving myself to selling it, so it's still a *maybe*... But knowing whether or not there's any interest would make the decision easier.

Here goes:

Silver plated Alex 163 CC, bought through Lee Stofer in March 2020, and has been used sparingly since then, not sure it's ever left my house.

It is an exceptionally fine tuba. Looks and plays like a million bucks, it's incredible.

* Pristine condition
* Silver plate is 98%+
* 16.5" bell
* one small ding, otherwise it's clean
* Lee was impressed by the fit and finish of this, and he did basically nothing to it but clean, shine, and lubricate it. No air leaks, no bad solder joints... This is what an Alexander tuba can be, when it's done right
* 4 valves, which are quick and quiet..Lee thought they may be Hirsbrunner valves, because they are so nice. (the valve paddle bar says "Tryplen", but the valves are metal)
* Glorious, unmistakable Alexander sound, with immediate response and great intonation (not "great for an Alexander" but actually great for anything). You'll need to play 4-valve fingerings down low, but that's not a fault of the tuba, just a function of having 4 valves. The first valve slide has a big comfy pull ring, if that's your thing!
* The leadpipe was done by Bob Pallansch a long time ago, a classic Don Harry mod. This is a Miraphone 190 BBb leadpipe, and it eliminates the bad Alexander CC intonation problems.
* New Superfine top-loading gig bag, which is a *slightly* roomy fit girth-wise but the right height. It's a GREAT! bag.

Price would be $6200

Local pickup in Minneapolis, I'm not really wanting to ship!

Image
Last edited by bort2.0 on Thu Sep 23, 2021 8:47 pm, edited 4 times in total.


User avatar
kingrob76
Posts: 601
Joined: Thu Aug 13, 2020 9:24 am
Location: Reston, VA
Has thanked: 45 times
Been thanked: 169 times

Re: Maybe WTS -- Alexander 163 CC

Post by kingrob76 »

Curse you and your polite request to not be razzed about maybe selling this! :-)

When I *look* at it, the roller-coaster style leadpipe makes me nervous. Have you found it to be delicate or in the way at all? I suspect it's not a problem but I'm curious what your experience with it has been.
Rob. Just Rob.
User avatar
bort2.0
Posts: 5214
Joined: Thu Aug 13, 2020 9:13 am
Location: Minneapolis
Has thanked: 332 times
Been thanked: 981 times

Re: Maybe WTS -- Alexander 163 CC

Post by bort2.0 »

Looks wild but rock solid. Zero concerns. Lee agreed, he was questioning how sturdy it is, but it's braced and reinforced very well, and works brilliantly. I'll add a few photos when I get a chance this weekend.
KingTuba1241X
Posts: 1045
Joined: Thu Aug 13, 2020 8:41 am
Has thanked: 41 times
Been thanked: 80 times

Re: Maybe WTS -- Alexander 163 CC

Post by KingTuba1241X »

So you're going to use that Conn full time? :smilie2:
These users thanked the author KingTuba1241X for the post (total 2):
bort2.0 (Sat Jun 19, 2021 12:35 pm) • Three Valves (Sat Jun 19, 2021 8:05 pm)
06' Miraphone 187-4U
User avatar
bort2.0
Posts: 5214
Joined: Thu Aug 13, 2020 9:13 am
Location: Minneapolis
Has thanked: 332 times
Been thanked: 981 times

Re: Maybe WTS -- Alexander 163 CC

Post by bort2.0 »

KingTuba1241X wrote: Sat Jun 19, 2021 12:27 pm So you're going to use that Conn full time? :smilie2:
Unlikely to be a long-term solution.
User avatar
LargeTuba
Posts: 773
Joined: Thu Aug 13, 2020 11:08 am
Has thanked: 97 times
Been thanked: 135 times

Re: Maybe WTS -- Alexander 163 CC

Post by LargeTuba »

I can't wait to see what is your long term solution! :teeth:
Pt-6P, Holton 345 CC, 45slp
User avatar
matt g
Posts: 2516
Joined: Thu Aug 13, 2020 10:37 am
Location: Southeastern New England
Has thanked: 257 times
Been thanked: 537 times

Re: Maybe WTS -- Alexander 163 CC

Post by matt g »

LargeTuba wrote: Sat Jun 19, 2021 3:52 pm I can't wait to see what is your long term solution! :teeth:
Reported for trolling… :-p
Dillon/Walters CC (sold)
Meinl-Weston 2165 (sold)
User avatar
bort2.0
Posts: 5214
Joined: Thu Aug 13, 2020 9:13 am
Location: Minneapolis
Has thanked: 332 times
Been thanked: 981 times

Re: Maybe WTS -- Alexander 163 CC

Post by bort2.0 »

LargeTuba wrote: Sat Jun 19, 2021 3:52 pm I can't wait to see what is your long term solution! :teeth:
Well if nobody buys this, then I think you're looking at it. :laugh:
Worth
Posts: 189
Joined: Thu Aug 13, 2020 6:26 pm
Location: Tampa, FL
Has thanked: 81 times
Been thanked: 48 times

Re: Maybe WTS -- Alexander 163 CC

Post by Worth »

I, for one, enjoy following your tuba escapades. Life is short and the ability to own and really experience many different Tubas in depth (beyond mere play testing) in one's lifetime, if one is able to, is a luxury of sorts. There are downsides to selling and reacquisition of course, but there are also many experiential upsides too. Beyond being a repair technician, independently wealthy, or crazy, most of us settle down with one main axe, often wondering what it would be like to own something different. Sounds like being married in a way, then you get the itch again. For me that would be a rotary PT-6 or a 188. Cheers to you for not being married to one horn and choosing to enjoy what many varieties of our chosen instrument are out there. At least with Tubas you can do that!
:tuba:
These users thanked the author Worth for the post (total 2):
MN_TimTuba (Sat Jun 19, 2021 7:21 pm) • prairieboy1 (Wed Jun 23, 2021 10:15 pm)
2014 Wisemann 900
2013 Miraphone 188
User avatar
Three Valves
Posts: 4438
Joined: Thu Aug 13, 2020 4:07 pm
Location: The Land of Pleasant Living
Has thanked: 771 times
Been thanked: 474 times

Re: Maybe WTS -- Alexander 163 CC

Post by Three Valves »

kingrob76 wrote: Sat Jun 19, 2021 11:23 am

When I *look* at it, the roller-coaster style leadpipe makes me nervous. Have you found it to be delicate or in the way at all?
I just don’t like the spit sliding back at me!!
Thought Criminal
Mack Brass Artiste
TU422L with TU25
1964 Conn 36k with CB Arnold Jacobs
Accent (By B&S) 952R with Bach12
The Fourth Estate is the Fifth Column
User avatar
bort2.0
Posts: 5214
Joined: Thu Aug 13, 2020 9:13 am
Location: Minneapolis
Has thanked: 332 times
Been thanked: 981 times

Re: Maybe WTS -- Alexander 163 CC

Post by bort2.0 »

Three Valves wrote: Sat Jun 19, 2021 8:08 pm
kingrob76 wrote: Sat Jun 19, 2021 11:23 am

When I *look* at it, the roller-coaster style leadpipe makes me nervous. Have you found it to be delicate or in the way at all?
I just don’t like the spit sliding back at me!!
Not sure that has ever happened to me! :huh:
User avatar
Three Valves
Posts: 4438
Joined: Thu Aug 13, 2020 4:07 pm
Location: The Land of Pleasant Living
Has thanked: 771 times
Been thanked: 474 times

Re: Maybe WTS -- Alexander 163 CC

Post by Three Valves »

^^^^^

Perhaps not but it looks like it would!!

:slap:
Thought Criminal
Mack Brass Artiste
TU422L with TU25
1964 Conn 36k with CB Arnold Jacobs
Accent (By B&S) 952R with Bach12
The Fourth Estate is the Fifth Column
User avatar
Stryk
Posts: 444
Joined: Thu Aug 13, 2020 8:51 am
Has thanked: 95 times
Been thanked: 79 times

Re: Maybe WTS -- Alexander 163 CC

Post by Stryk »

worth every penny. if I didn't just buy one - not near as nice - I would grab it. UGH
Terry Stryker
Mirafone 186C, 186BBb, 184C, 186C clone
Gebr. Alexander New 163C, Vintage 163C, Vintage 163BBb
Amati 481C
Lyon & Healy 6/4
Kane Stealth tuba
A plethora of others....
royjohn
Posts: 81
Joined: Fri May 28, 2021 1:49 pm
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 19 times

Re: Maybe WTS -- Alexander 163 CC

Post by royjohn »

So I guess we are allowed to follow this and speculate, kind of like "90 Day Tuba Fiance," but I'm curious as to what direction you are tending...if the 20J started this, but isn't the final solution, are you looking to stay in the 6/4 BAT camp and maybe have a 4th valve?

As far as the Alex is concerned, it is by reputation a wonderful horn, and maybe you will be sorry you sold it, but not many of us have an extra $10-$12K sitting around to have two great tubas. Sande McMorran, our local Knoxville tuba guru and professor emeritus, has played and loved an Alex his entire career, I'm told.

Somebody will be very happy to get the Alex if you let it go...the only problem with those BATs is that you almost need to get a building to play them in...

Good luck, cannot wait for the next "episode." :teeth: :teeth: :teeth:
User avatar
jtm
Posts: 1076
Joined: Sat Aug 15, 2020 2:51 pm
Location: Austin, Texas
Has thanked: 655 times
Been thanked: 196 times

Re: Maybe WTS -- Alexander 163 CC

Post by jtm »

The Alex in the picture doesn't look particularly BATty. Is it?
John Morris
This practicing trick actually seems to be working!
playing some old German rotary tubas for free
User avatar
LargeTuba
Posts: 773
Joined: Thu Aug 13, 2020 11:08 am
Has thanked: 97 times
Been thanked: 135 times

Re: Maybe WTS -- Alexander 163 CC

Post by LargeTuba »

It's funny to me that a 20j of all tubas started this. I have a 20j and I still love my Eastman Miraphone 191 clone.

Maybe the bell is facing the wrong way and I can't hear myself. :laugh:
Pt-6P, Holton 345 CC, 45slp
User avatar
bort2.0
Posts: 5214
Joined: Thu Aug 13, 2020 9:13 am
Location: Minneapolis
Has thanked: 332 times
Been thanked: 981 times

Re: Maybe WTS -- Alexander 163 CC

Post by bort2.0 »

LargeTuba wrote: Sun Jun 20, 2021 6:59 pm It's funny to me that a 20j of all tubas started this. I have a 20j and I still love my Eastman Miraphone 191 clone.

Maybe the bell is facing the wrong way and I can't hear myself. :laugh:
Nah, wasn't started by the 20J, kind of a long time coming. The 20J was a bit influential, but not at all the start.

I appreciate and deserve the other comments, haha. I see tuba ownership as an impermanent possession of an object. Doesn't have to be an attachment, doesn't have to be for life. My skills and opinions change over time, and frankly, sometimes I just want to try something new for a while. There are some tubas that maybe I should have kept, but doing so would have prevented me from owning others later. I guess I just do it differently than others, but this is how I've done it so far.

Contrast to everything else in my life.... I'm not so choosy and don't change things often at all.
These users thanked the author bort2.0 for the post:
MN_TimTuba (Sun Jun 20, 2021 9:33 pm)
User avatar
jtm
Posts: 1076
Joined: Sat Aug 15, 2020 2:51 pm
Location: Austin, Texas
Has thanked: 655 times
Been thanked: 196 times

Re: Maybe WTS -- Alexander 163 CC

Post by jtm »

If I weren’t so far away, I’d be tempted. What I probably really want, though, is the 188 you got rid of earlier.
John Morris
This practicing trick actually seems to be working!
playing some old German rotary tubas for free
User avatar
Doc
Posts: 2463
Joined: Thu Aug 13, 2020 9:48 am
Location: Downtown Browntown
Has thanked: 841 times
Been thanked: 749 times
Contact:

Re: Maybe WTS -- Alexander 163 CC

Post by Doc »

kingrob76 wrote: Sat Jun 19, 2021 11:23 am Curse you and your polite request to not be razzed about maybe selling this! :-)

When I *look* at it, the roller-coaster style leadpipe makes me nervous. Have you found it to be delicate or in the way at all? I suspect it's not a problem but I'm curious what your experience with it has been.
Have you seen/heard Dave Kirk play his? It'll change your mind.
Welcome to Browntown!
Home of the Brown Note!
User avatar
Doc
Posts: 2463
Joined: Thu Aug 13, 2020 9:48 am
Location: Downtown Browntown
Has thanked: 841 times
Been thanked: 749 times
Contact:

Re: Maybe WTS -- Alexander 163 CC

Post by Doc »

I wish I had tuba collector money. I'd be on this right away.
Welcome to Browntown!
Home of the Brown Note!
Post Reply