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Interested in buying a used 3/4 BBb rotor valve tuba. I play a Miraphone 186, but as I get older it gets heavier and harder to schlep. I prefer rotors with an easier and smaller throw than pistons…hands are a bit gnarled from farming. I’m too old and set in my ways (some say downright crotchety from time to time) to learn new fingerings so the BBb is important. Also, I’m playing more quintet work now and the 186 tends to overpower a bit (“But I’m playing pianissimo!“). Budget up to $3000 for the right horn. My location is southern New Hampshire. Thanks.

I might suggest a good-condition Cerveny 681.

They are about the same size as a 186, but thinner metal and weigh noticeably less.

That having been said, you're going to be pretty limited to HOW MUCH LESS a 4-rotor B-flat tuba (of any bore/bell/body size) is going to weigh.

Other strategies include dropping off your instrument at the door prior to parking (I do this, because - and I'm getting older - I use heavy hard cases), and using a just-sturdy-enough collapsible two-wheeler.

Probably good advice, though I would like to get a smaller bore instrument for work with a quintet. I am primarily a base trombonist (Rath R9), and as a result, I end up taking both horns to performances. (Even more reason to drop things off and then go park, as you suggested). I will do some Internet searching re the Cerveny. Thanks.

I'm offering a really nice Olds O-99-4 for sale, but I'm honestly not sure how much lighter weight it is than a 186.

...but the bell diameter is 1/2 inch to 1-3/4 inches smaller, and the bore is 1/8 inch smaller.

I've had three really enthusiastic tire-kickers (one who is only thirty minutes away, claims to have the dough, says they want it, but hasn't shown up to even try it out) but ∞ talk x $0.00 dough = noise

Not to attempt to tell you that what I have is "the perfect thing", but there sure are a bunch of bass trombonists (those who really prefer a B-flat tuba over an E-flat tuba) who seem to have been attracted-to and have bought these...

pictures/description:

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Thanks…I’ll check in on that. That sounds like it might just work. The horn bloke mentioned in a previous post also looked nice though the piston valves would be a challenge, I think. My hands are a bit of a mess after so many years of fencing, machine repairs, chainsaws, etc. I know from my 186 I can handle rotors. Much obliged to both of you.