TubaForum.net

Hello,

I'm not a tuba or brasswind player, but my band is looking to purchase one for a member that is. He is not a begginer, having played for probably around 35 to 40 years.
We would like it in the order of 1200/1300€, to be bought in Europe (European Union, preferably) and I am looking for recommendations.

There is the Thomann Compact in the price range, but what else is there that doesn't compromise quality too much and still falls in the price range?


Thank you all

That's a knock-off of the Yamaha model 105.

They're sorta "grunty", but do play "strong".

I usually sell those to middle schools.

If made by one of the better Chinese factories, some of those (again: depending on the factory) - in my view - are better than the instrument they copy.

My personal (opinions vary) least-favorite knock-off of the Yamaha 105 is the Jupiter version.

IF some American seller of a USED (not worn-out / NOT beat-up) old-style King model 1240 or 2340 (full-size / three valves) would ship to Europe, that's a lot more instrument (even with several hundred shipping) for the same-of-maybe-a-good-bit-less dough.

RANDOM UNKNOWN-TO-ME EXAMPLE:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/165088833640

The Tuba mentioned by the OP is a new 3/4 size three valve BBb. https://www.thomann.de/gb/thomann_bb_tu ... ompact.htm

I believe that John Packer do something similar and - though I can’t locate their network - that they have agents all over the place: https://www.johnpacker.co.uk/prod/jp-tuba-bb-jp078

It might be wise to check that the player is used to a BBb rather than a Eb/EEb. The player might also not take to a 3/4 size instrument.

Second hand always gets you more value than new. I’ve watched Ebay in the U.K. and sometimes a decent BBb goes for a surprisingly affordable price. Ebay operates in several countries, not all sellers would be willing to ship a Tuba from the U.K. to the EU.

It might be helpful to know which country the OP is in.

Thank you for the replies so far.

The tuba player plays both Eeb and BBb, and it's his choice of wanting a smaller 3/4 BBb, due to weight, but prefering the tuning and depth.
We're in Portugal, that is why I was prefering European Union, due to customs duties, and we do need invoice due to taxes of the band and financial support from institutions.

I will take a look to John Packer also, and I apreciate the indication that the Thomann is a Yamaha copy. I'm doing this since he doesn't speak english, but he will have final saying in what to choose.

Check out the Wessex 3/4 BBb too: https://www.wessex-tubas.com/collection ... dent-tb330

Duplicate post.

Saxflute wrote: ↑Sun Sep 26, 2021 3:39 pm Thank you for the replies so far.

The tuba player plays both Eeb and BBb, and it's his choice of wanting a smaller 3/4 BBb, due to weight, but prefering the tuning and depth.
We're in Portugal, that is why I was prefering European Union, due to customs duties, and we do need invoice due to taxes of the band and financial support from institutions.

I will take a look to John Packer also, and I apreciate the indication that the Thomann is a Yamaha copy. I'm doing this since he doesn't speak english, but he will have final saying in what to choose.

You might find this thread useful:
viewtopic.php?f=15&t=1959&p=20816&hilit ... opy#p20816

There are some instrument repairers on this forum and they will have views about which of the Chinese BBb’s is more worth having and which is less worth having. I’m biased, but I’d try to find a small second hand British BBb. Besson do a new range of small Tubas too but they’re out of your Budget - the instrument’s remain much the same but the model numbers have changed over the years. https://www.besson.com/en/instruments/t ... ige-be187/

As far as I know there is no eBay in Portugal but maybe people use the Spanish site and import things across the border? Perhaps the French and German sites might help too?

It’s often worth while reaching out to other music groups and seeing/hearing who their suppliers are.

Edit. I don’t use Facebook myself but there are Facebook pages for Brass Instrument sales, I suggest that there it’s a case of buyer beware ... but, of course there are honest and less so sellers everywhere.

Not precisely equivalent to Ebay, but as it happens there's a Yamaha 105 and an Eastman EBB323 on OLX, both offered for a couple hundred euros more than you want to pay, both in Braga. They've been there for a while, so it seems possible that the sellers might be willing to listen to an offer.

Also a 3/4 C Eastman with a sort of compact shape, for €1300, in Aveiro ... or €2600 for 4/4, and as I know nothing about this mark, I can't say for sure which is pictured. Not that it matters, as he isn't looking for a C tuba.

A decent-condition Olds model O-99 (or same-instrument/different-engraving) Reynolds TB-10 or Bach 869...

... (again) bought from the USA and shipped might still cost around the same (incl. shipping and duty), and are big enough to not "grunt" - but small enough to not be heavy and bulky.

These are all 35 - 50 years old, so a picture of the valves, and good pictures of the instrument at all angles would be "musts".

donn wrote: ↑Mon Sep 27, 2021 1:28 am Not precisely equivalent to Ebay, but as it happens there's a Yamaha 105 and an Eastman EBB323 on OLX, both offered for a couple hundred euros more than you want to pay, both in Braga. They've been there for a while, so it seems possible that the sellers might be willing to listen to an offer.

Also a 3/4 C Eastman with a sort of compact shape, for €1300, in Aveiro ... or €2600 for 4/4, and as I know nothing about this mark, I can't say for sure which is pictured. Not that it matters, as he isn't looking for a C tuba.

The problem, as I stated, with buying in places like olx, is that sellers won't do invoice, and my band needs it.
I'm looking at the various options proposed though.

OK, didn't know you couldn't get the invoice you need from a private seller. Is Palácio da Tuba still in business there? Not that he'd be all that likely to have anything for you, but just curious - it could be for all I know the most tuba-oriented retail business in the world.

...

It could have been, had the person soliciting suggestions not specified "small" - with the Olds being at about the top end of "small", and the Besson being well outside that parameter.

peterbas wrote: ↑Mon Sep 27, 2021 11:25 pm

bloke wrote: ↑Mon Sep 27, 2021 9:17 am A decent-condition Olds model O-99 (or same-instrument/different-engraving) Reynolds TB-10 or Bach 869...

... (again) bought from the USA and shipped might still cost around the same (incl. shipping and duty), and are big enough to not "grunt" - but small enough to not be heavy and bulky.

These are all 35 - 50 years old, so a picture of the valves, and good pictures of the instrument at all angles would be "musts".

Wouldn't be a Besson 3 valve compensator be a better choice. Can be had for 1000 euro, is a popular brand and easy to get and even Bloke loves them I have been told.

https://www.marktplaats.nl/a/muziek-en- ... ousPage=lr

I have no idea if it's the case here, but often in Portugal, bands take to the street in processions of various kinds, and they don't often use sousaphones or helicons. Or large top valve tubas. The tubas will be in front, by the way.

...

“ ‘ running all the way around the tree to disagree”

(i’m a poet, but don’t know it. My feet show it; they are long fellows.)

Saxflute wrote: ↑Mon Sep 27, 2021 12:00 pm

donn wrote: ↑Mon Sep 27, 2021 1:28 am Not precisely equivalent to Ebay, but as it happens there's a Yamaha 105 and an Eastman EBB323 on OLX, both offered for a couple hundred euros more than you want to pay, both in Braga. They've been there for a while, so it seems possible that the sellers might be willing to listen to an offer.

Also a 3/4 C Eastman with a sort of compact shape, for €1300, in Aveiro ... or €2600 for 4/4, and as I know nothing about this mark, I can't say for sure which is pictured. Not that it matters, as he isn't looking for a C tuba.

The problem, as I stated, with buying in places like olx, is that sellers won't do invoice, and my band needs it.
I'm looking at the various options proposed though.

When I sold my Holton to our good friend in Germany I just used Word to compose an invoice from "my" business. I would think any private seller could do the same.
Tim

donn wrote: ↑Mon Sep 27, 2021 1:57 pm OK, didn't know you couldn't get the invoice you need from a private seller. Is Palácio da Tuba still in business there? Not that he'd be all that likely to have anything for you, but just curious - it could be for all I know the most tuba-oriented retail business in the world.

Not really sure, I think they are still in business, but I've never dealt with them. You can get invoices from private sellers, but that means they have to pay 23% sales tax to the state, meaning getting less 23% or raising the price so they get the same ammount after taxes.

MN_TimTuba wrote: ↑Tue Sep 28, 2021 7:41 pm When I sold my Holton to our good friend in Germany I just used Word to compose an invoice from "my" business. I would think any private seller could do the same.
Tim

That's also why no "Word made invoice" would work, it isn't a legitimate provable thing. Maybe it works with countries in which there is no way for the state to prove, don't know, don't want to know.

donn wrote: ↑Tue Sep 28, 2021 9:39 am I have no idea if it's the case here, but often in Portugal, bands take to the street in processions of various kinds, and they don't often use sousaphones or helicons. Or large top valve tubas. The tubas will be in front, by the way.

This is true, and for our band also, although we are a more versatile type of band. Many bands do use large tubas, especially in the north of the country, and tubas beeing on front, depends on the band, but for many that is the case yes.

peterbas wrote: ↑Tue Sep 28, 2021 1:25 pm Instead of the Bb then what about a 3 valve comp EB Besson then?
Or better a St-pete, light weight, small and still a big sound.

Our player is currently playing an old Orsi EB, but it's his choice of wanting a BBb. He also plays a large yamaha BBb in another band, but only for sitting concerts.