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Willson 3050 CC at BBC
Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2023 11:00 am
by bort2.0
I feel like I haven't seen one of these for sale in ages...
They have their ups and downs to many people, but I've been thinking of my rotary Willson 3050 a lot recently, and miss many things about it. When I owned it, I tried a piston 3050 at BBC (this was around 2017) and thought it was about 95% as good and similar to my rotary CC. Not inexpensive, but I'd bet these are close to $20k if bought new these days.
https://www.baltimorebrasscompany.com/p ... -tuba.aspx
Re: Willson 3050 CC at BBC
Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2023 11:36 am
by JRaymo
bort2.0 wrote:I feel like I haven't seen one of these for sale in ages...
They have their ups and downs to many people, but I've been thinking of my rotary Willson 3050 a lot recently, and miss many things about it. When I owned it, I tried a piston 3050 at BBC (this was around 2017) and thought it was about 95% as good and similar to my rotary CC. Not inexpensive, but I'd bet these are close to $20k if bought new these days.
https://www.baltimorebrasscompany.com/p ... -tuba.aspx
I miss mine a lot too. A T handle on the third valve slide which was the only one I had to move on mine made a huge difference in the ergonomics for me. I believe the new ones are around $18000 but good luck finding anyone who sells them in the US. I’ve only seen the Eb listed anywhere.
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Re: Willson 3050 CC at BBC
Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2023 12:39 pm
by Sousaswag
I really, really like the way these sound and play.
They’re just so heavy and hard to hold comfortably.
I don’t know that I’d pay $10K for one. However, somebody will be happy with it.
Re: Willson 3050 CC at BBC
Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2023 12:48 pm
by bort2.0
I checked -- for insurance purposes, I had requested a quote for the price of a new silver plated 3050RZ back in 2017. Using the 2016 price list, it was quoted at just under $21k. Adjusting for inflation, that's over $26k now.
I sold mine, I believe, for $8,000 in 2017. Adjusting for inflation, that's about $10k now.
If I had $10k for a tuba, I'm not sure it would be the first choice... but I would consider it an option, for sure. Everything is so dang expensive these days! ($12k for a Miraphone 188? Miraphone 1292 pushing $16k??)
Re: Willson 3050 CC at BBC
Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2023 1:00 pm
by JRaymo
bort2.0 wrote:I checked -- for insurance purposes, I had requested a quote for the price of a new silver plated 3050RZ back in 2017. Using the 2016 price list, it was quoted at just under $21k. Adjusting for inflation, that's over $26k now.
I sold mine, I believe, for $8,000 in 2017. Adjusting for inflation, that's about $10k now.
If I had $10k for a tuba, I'm not sure it would be the first choice... but I would consider it an option, for sure. Everything is so dang expensive these days! ($12k for a Miraphone 188? Miraphone 1292 pushing $16k??)
I’d probably switch back to BBb if I wanted another big tuba. Probably try to find a older gen king 2341 with both bells.
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Re: Willson 3050 CC at BBC
Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2023 9:14 pm
by Sousaswag
I always forget about inflation… Even still, I don’t think these are $10,000 used tubas. Not when a MW Thor is maybe $3K more brand new.
Again, I like them. Everything is just too expensive anymore, it’s getting ridiculous.
If you could score it with a nice trade-in or something, and only spend a grand or two, sure, maybe.
One can’t deny they’re nice, well-made instruments. But, just because they’re made in Switzerland does that really justify the extra $$$$? Discussion for another post? Maybe.