TubaForum.net

Greetings all, been playing bass trombone for a number of years now. And I'm starting to like the idea of trying out some tuba. Budget is fairly limited, but could probably swing between 2 and 2500. Not looking for anything too fancy, in fact something a little beat up with lacquerware and a couple of dents would probably fit the vibe better. I'm fine with a Chinese horn as long as it sounds good and the intonation is not too crazy.
like the looks of the Mac brass 421s.. would really prefer a five valve horn. Would possibly be interested in some f tubas also. I play exclusively in small groups and small settings. Let me know what you got thanks.
EZ

Have you played tuba extensively before?

I only ask because Bb is usually the easiest transition for ‘bone players. Mack has the Bb 3/4 with 4 valves and it should cover most of the bases.

Whereabouts are you located?

Hey so I am in southern Vermont.. I appreciate the advice on the Bb.. I am a bit of a different bird though.. I began playing music at the age of 25 completely by ear.. I play flutes whistles harmonicas trombones and some strings.. oh yeah and chromatic button accordion.. don't read a stitch of music.. well I can extrapolate information from a score but I don't read. So I will learn tuba the same way and c is my preferred approach. Open to advice too.
EZ

EZ-Slider wrote: ↑Fri Sep 29, 2023 7:16 pm Hey so I am in southern Vermont.. I appreciate the advice on the Bb.. I am a bit of a different bird though.. I began playing music at the age of 25 completely by ear.. I play flutes whistles harmonicas trombones and some strings.. oh yeah and chromatic button accordion.. don't read a stitch of music.. well I can extrapolate information from a score but I don't read. So I will learn tuba the same way and c is my preferred approach. Open to advice too.
EZ

I have a vintage King 1240 BBb tuba. Satin silver, gold wash recording bell. Three valves, but a great horn and can play 99% of the stuff you throw at it (and probably 100% of stuff if you're just jamming with other folks). Asking well below your price range, located in eastern CT and can drive to meet up. Let me know if you're interested: beanhillbrass@gmail.com

I also have a 4 valve compensating Boosey & Hawkes Eb in silver. Doesn't need a fifth valve with the automatic compensating system -- it's fully chromatic all the way down to the pedal range. 15" bell, sweet little tuba. Again, well below your price range. If you wanted both horns that would be right around the middle of your price range. Give me a shout if you're interested.

Shot you an email.
EZ

Still looking for options
EZ

If you already play trombone, BBb tuba will be an easier transition regardless if you read music or not. Plus, BBb tuba will be easier to find and probably cheaper. I can't imagine what benefit a C tuba would have over anything else if you don't read music.

Bb tuba is just one octave down from trombone, so all the partials are the same, all the slide positions translate directly to fingerings. Any other tuba is an octave minus a step or a 4th or 5th, so you'd probably start from scratch from those other keys. But Bb you already know a good starting point.

Can you say what it is about C tuba that you think is an advantage?

Thank you sir I have seen the light! Point well taken. I guess I just liked the idea of playing a non-transposing instrument as I do have ambitions to learn to read better at some point. But it seems like you say it makes much more sense to play an instrument with corresponding positions and fingerings. C does sound sexier though LOL.
Now taking offers for four or five valve b flats LOL
EZ

EZ-Slider wrote: ↑Tue Oct 03, 2023 3:36 pm .. I guess I just liked the idea of playing a non-transposing instrument ...
EZ

This might blow your mind, but all tubas are non-transposing. Players just learn different fingerings for the different key instruments. All tuba music (except tuba music in the UK) is written in concert pitch, just like trombone.

bone-a-phone wrote: ↑Tue Oct 03, 2023 4:16 pm

EZ-Slider wrote: ↑Tue Oct 03, 2023 3:36 pm .. I guess I just liked the idea of playing a non-transposing instrument ...
EZ

This might blow your mind, but all tubas are non-transposing. Players just learn different fingerings for the different key instruments. All tuba music (except tuba music in the UK) is written in concert pitch, just like trombone.

Haven’t played much BBB music, have you?

windshieldbug wrote: ↑Tue Oct 03, 2023 9:09 pm

bone-a-phone wrote: ↑Tue Oct 03, 2023 4:16 pm

EZ-Slider wrote: ↑Tue Oct 03, 2023 3:36 pm .. I guess I just liked the idea of playing a non-transposing instrument ...
EZ

This might blow your mind, but all tubas are non-transposing. Players just learn different fingerings for the different key instruments. All tuba music (except tuba music in the UK) is written in concert pitch, just like trombone.

Mind not blown, but thankful to understand.
Haven’t played much BBB music, have you?

Not sure if you read the rest of the thread or not? But I do not read music nor have I played tuba, so no I have not played any BBb music.. But thanks for checking..
EZ

EZ-Slider wrote: ↑Wed Oct 04, 2023 3:47 pm

windshieldbug wrote: ↑Tue Oct 03, 2023 9:09 pm

bone-a-phone wrote: ↑Tue Oct 03, 2023 4:16 pm

This might blow your mind, but all tubas are non-transposing. Players just learn different fingerings for the different key instruments. All tuba music (except tuba music in the UK) is written in concert pitch, just like trombone.

Mind not blown, but thankful to understand.
Haven’t played much BBB music, have you?

Not sure if you read the rest of the thread or not? But I do not read music nor have I played tuba, so no I have not played any BBb music.. But thanks for checking..
EZ

No, he's talking about British Brass Band music, which is why I mentioned UK as the exception to the "no transposing" statement. They do things different over there, or where ever they play British brass band music. But if you played in a brass band, you'd have to read, and transpose. But you don't, so don't worry about it.

Lol Roger that.. you will have to forgive my ill-informedness. After all I am just a crayon eating bass trombone player

EZ-Slider wrote: ↑Wed Oct 04, 2023 5:03 pm Lol Roger that.. you will have to forgive my ill-informedness. After all I am just a crayon eating bass trombone player

Yeah, me too. Although I prefer tenor. I thought I'd pick up tuba to avoid bass trombone. Obviously I'm not that bright either.

Getting 5 valves or an F tuba is going to be tough in that price range. The Mack 421 is a cool horn, but I'd recommend the 422 instead. 4 v, and aside from the initial condition of the slides, not a bad instrument. Plus, it comes with a special feature - place-your-own-dents. The lacquer wears off fast enough on these Chinese horns, so don't worry about it being too shiny for long. The 210 is a little bigger , but it put the bell too close to my ear for comfort.

meh...
I bought a 6-valve (considered to be) top-drawer model for $2500 bucks brand-new...


...in 1982.

All he needs to do is to time-travel.

I sold a Miraphone F in beautiful condition (great rotors, no flaking lacquer) several months ago for about $2500, so it can happen. Replaced it with a similar one that I liked better for $5000, which might be more typical for nice used F tubas.

https://www.jimlaabsmusicstore.com/stor ... uba-brass/
Anyone have any experience with one of these?
EZ

I don't think any two people could agree on what this batch of words actually means:

Authoritative projections with vociferous sub tones - the Schiller American Heritage BBb 5 Valve Piston Compensating Tuba brings hearty, substantive, American tone. Extremely coherent note slotting and extra thick brass tubing centers the overall sound.

I'm also automatically suspicious of "was $6700, now $2680".

edit: pictures look like it's not compensating, either.

Right.. do you think Mack had a better reputation?
EZ