SOLD: very nice piston F tuba - $5000

[bloke]

I built this from high-end Chinese parts, a vintage GDR (early 1980's) bell, some parts that I made, and some other German parts.

It's obviously my attempt to assemble something like a "MRP" F tuba. Those who've played it (including my betters) seem to believe that I exceeded what I attempted to do.

There is no case nor bag. I'm willing to ship via Greyhound, and I'm also willing put an interested shopper up overnight - try it out, buy it or not, and head home.

I might (??) be coaxed into driving up to four hours one-way, but that's for a FIRM (no "trial") sale.

Also, the playing characteristics are very much like a PT-10...with the added advantage of piston-valves slurring.

The so-called "low C" requires an F tuba embouchure...(I guess...?? though I would rate that range as "easy", but some others may not agree...)

The intonation is remarkably good, and I'm able to play the instrument with minor favoring and without slide-pulling.

The instrument is very nice, looks very good, and is lacquered. My lacquer jobs, though, are not "perfect" - because I don't lacquer tubas every day, and I don't have a $XXX,XXX facility for lacquering.

[bloke]

There are a couple of just-about-good-enough offers.

I'll give a couple of the first people (who requested/rec'd pics, before they were posted here) a short number of days to offer the "ask", and then I'll go with one of the offers.

Thanks for the interest in this.

[TheDoctor]

Decent horn that is bloke

[bloke]

Since the gigs stopped, I’ve quit playing. I’ve barely started back up, because I’ve got some jobs coming up in a few weeks, in addition to a solo performance, of all things.
A couple of nights ago, I sat down, did not warm up (nothing to “warm up”) and played through the first big long phrase of the Berlioz “Rákóczi March“. I think my time sucks in the recording, but the tuba sounds pretty good, and it should be a parent to anyone that the thing “works“, and can be played in tune… Probably better in tune even than I played it. I am so completely out of shape that had I tried to play it through five times before recording it, I probably wouldn’t of had the chops.
This F tuba plays more open than my own, it requires a bit more energy, but is also a naturally louder tuba.

Anyone if anyone is sincerely considering purchasing it, they can send me a private message with their cell phone number, and I will text them the little video of me playing the March passage. I’m not proud enough of the performance to put it on YouTube, but the tuba does sound good.

[matt g]

This tuba needs a home!

[bloke]

(sort of) proof that I REALLY DID make a little video...


screen shot

[matt g]

Based on the close up and the other photos, the brace, tubing, and overall craftsmanship looks top notch. Beautiful tuba.

[NapoleonWilson]

I’ve had an MRP-F for two years and love it.

I’m sure this is at the very least a reasonable facsimile, due to Joe’s expertise.

A steal for 5K.

[Pauvog1]

Looks awesome! I love my MRP. I can't believe this horn is still available, that is an absolute STEAL at 5k.

[bloke]

This is a very nice-playing five-valve piston F tuba that I built out of combination of the highest-grade Asian and German parts. It features a lacquer finish. The lacquer isn't perfect, but looks very good.
This is a demo of me playing it, to demonstrate that it's actually a viable tuba, and not just "nice pictures of a tuba". No slide manipulation was utilized during this recording. If you hear bad time, of course - chalk that up to me, because I also didn't use a metronome, and I suck.

Finally, I've barely played since all the gigs were cancelled, and that is apparent in the quality of my playing as well (and no "warm-up"...' just played it "cold"...since "no chops")...but the tuba - hopefully - will outshine my mediocrity.

If a potential buyer judges the valve washers as too noisy, I'll gladly swap them out for some that are less firm.

[matt g]

@bloke, caveats or no, that was fine playing.

[barry grrr-ero]

Nothing wrong with your timing, clarity, tuning or anything else. In fact, I was impressed with how perfect your perfect 4ths were at the end. Christus, I might have to rob a bank and buy this tuba myself.

[bloke]

yeah...the E-to-A was pretty good, I guess, but the first lower E (octave down from upper E) was sharp.

again:
no chops...out of practice...one time through...cold...might (??) not have been able to play it twice through...

BUY THIS TUBA !

[bloke]

HERE's a VERY high-grade affordable bag that the buyer could purchase to go with this tuba:

http://tubaforum.net/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=485

[bloke]

sold.

Thanks for the interest !

[matt g]

sold.

Thanks for the interest !

Congrats!

[bloke]

glad someone is getting it.

I couldn't resist "seeing if I could put together an MRP-like tuba", but - also - I do not need two F tubas...

"Two or more F tubas", moreover, is something that is needed in Austin, TX, etc...

[jtm]

glad someone is getting it.

I couldn't resist "seeing if I could put together an MRP-like tuba", but - also - I do not need two F tubas...

"Two or more F tubas", moreover, is something that is needed in Austin, TX, etc...

I'm in Austin, only need one F tuba, and was really tempted, so I'm glad someone got it.

[bort2.0]

Posted on 8/13, sold on 8/31. Under 3 weeks!




(Yeah, I know, I know... )

[bloke]

Even when I sell stuff online that isn't what I choose to retain for my own use, it's usually "damn good", and usually priced as to please both me and at least one person who's imagination is captured enough to purchase.

Hey...
I have something sorta-crappy-but-not-terrible (an E-flat thing that is very polka-band-useable) and damn cheap...
Is anyone intriqued enough for me to list it (say...) before the end of the week?

I just bought ANOTHER piece of crap (which intrigued me)...and - if I were to sell THIS piece of crap - Mrs. bloke's eyebrows might drop back down (EVEN THOUGH she SHOULD say NOTHING, because I'm BUILDING her a friggin' super deeeee-luxe BARN...!!!)