Big piston BBb tuba options

[bloke]

questions:
- Did someone trade that Martin tuba in for a St. Pete?
- If so, was it an even trade, or did they also pay some money - to put with the Martin - to buy the St. Pete?

[Yorkboy]

I forgot about the Marzan tubas... Which is funny because I used to own one in CC.

It's a good looking one with pistons came around (in either key), and with a one piece bell, I think I would definitely be interested in it. No more detachable bells though.

Yes - those horns are very nice, and the B&M piston valves are outstanding.

If the Marzan in question for sale on Dan’s site is a B&M (Yorkmaster) body, a Conn monster Eb/BBb bell would fit very nicely with minimal-to-no modification required (as would a Mirafone 186 bell, I think).

[bort2.0]

I forgot about the Marzan tubas... Which is funny because I used to own one in CC.

It's a good looking one with pistons came around (in either key), and with a one piece bell, I think I would definitely be interested in it. No more detachable bells though.

Yes - those horns are very nice, and the B&M piston valves are outstanding.

If the Marzan in question for sale on Dan’s site is a B&M (Yorkmaster) body, a Conn monster Eb/BBb bell would fit very nicely with minimal-to-no modification required (as would a Mirafone 186 bell, I think).

Ooh, I'll have to give Dan a ring. But I'd have to track down a bell, too... Old bells though are

[LargeTuba]

I forgot about the Marzan tubas... Which is funny because I used to own one in CC.

It's a good looking one with pistons came around (in either key), and with a one piece bell, I think I would definitely be interested in it. No more detachable bells though.

Yes - those horns are very nice, and the B&M piston valves are outstanding.

If the Marzan in question for sale on Dan’s site is a B&M (Yorkmaster) body, a Conn monster Eb/BBb bell would fit very nicely with minimal-to-no modification required (as would a Mirafone 186 bell, I think).

Ooh, I'll have to give Dan a ring. But I'd have to track down a bell, too... Old bells though are

[LargeTuba]

Yes - those horns are very nice, and the B&M piston valves are outstanding.

If the Marzan in question for sale on Dan’s site is a B&M (Yorkmaster) body, a Conn monster Eb/BBb bell would fit very nicely with minimal-to-no modification required (as would a Mirafone 186 bell, I think).

Ooh, I'll have to give Dan a ring. But I'd have to track down a bell, too... Old bells though are

This exact tuba exists and is for sale right now.

[bort2.0]

^ How much?

Love the engraving, but golly, get that thing shined up!

[LargeTuba]

^ How much?

Love the engraving, but golly, get that thing shined up!

$2,250

Seems like a great price.

[bort2.0]

^ How much?

Love the engraving, but golly, get that thing shined up!

$2,250

Seems like a great price.

Way cool, and thanks for emailing me the details!

[bort2.0]

Besides being an expensive and low-details eBay listing, what else can you all tell me about this? (36J, maybe?)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/362831836691

I'm guessing subpar intonation and uneven response...?

Thanks!

[Tuba-Maker]

don´t forget the Gronitz PBK

[bloke]

“The TFFJ recommending absolutely every make and model of tuba ever made” is always worth a smile.
That having been said, I suspect that part of the incessant tuba swapping can be credited to spending twice as much as needs to be spent to get something that plays, but half as much as what’s required to get something extraordinary.

[matt g]

Besides being an expensive and low-details eBay listing, what else can you all tell me about this? (36J, maybe?)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/362831836691

I'm guessing subpar intonation and uneven response...?

Thanks!

It’s gonna feel a lot like your 20J in terms of response and intonation through the three valves.

[matt g]

I wonder how hard it would be to put a thumb actuated kicker on the fourth valve slide so that one could have 1+4 in tune for low F and help with a few other pitches with the 4th valve? Seems like a “not too awful” compromise given the wrap of that circuit and the labor needed to undo it.

Edited to add…

A skilled tech could also graft a rotor onto that little crook near the top bow and put in a dependent fifth valve. That might work too? Every time I see that slide layout it makes me sad in the feels. Understood that the design there was still where fourth valve was taken to be something akin to a register key.

[bort2.0]

It’s gonna feel a lot like your 20J in terms of response and intonation through the three valves.

So "lap sousaphone" to the extreme...? :)

[matt g]

It’s gonna feel a lot like your 20J in terms of response and intonation through the three valves.

So "lap sousaphone" to the extreme...? :)

Kinda? I mean bell position and what the player hears as feedback do change a little comparing BF to UB. That’s mainly contained to the sonic feedback and doesn’t change much in regards to intonation and response. The bugles are effectively identical.

[bort2.0]

Got it, thanks!

The person never responded to my questions about the tuba, do even my marginal interest has all but evaporated.

[bort2.0]

Also, that Marzan/Conn bell combo pictured there is no longer for sale. Not because I bought it, but because the seller said it's not for sale anymore

[Doc]

“The TFFJ recommending absolutely every make and model of tuba ever made” is always worth a smile.
That having been said, I suspect that part of the incessant tuba swapping can be credited to spending twice as much as needs to be spent to get something that plays, but half as much as what’s required to get something extraordinary.

""What exists" vs. "what is acceptable" vs. "what is really good" can be very different things. "What is affordable" is altogether something different. At least the boy will know what exists (the idea behind my list). He will have to discover those instruments that meet his definition of "good enough" and "affordable," and we'll be along for that journey.

He didn't ask me, but if he did, I'd tell him to play the hell out of the 20J while saving his @$$ off for a really exceptional Holton, Martin, or York (or something not MUSA that fits the "really good" criteria, maybe a Piston Fafner , Wessex Prokofiev or a Gronitz PBK). But he didn't ask me, so I will wait until he does.

[bloke]

in the $1500-to-$20,000-if-bought-new price range, EVERY make/model has it's champions, apologists, and critics.
I suspect that some - who may believe their own talents are limited (and yet: assuming - here - keen aural acuity) - might (??) find that they are a good deal better players than they suspected - were they to test out something other than what they've long been using.

“The TFFJ recommending absolutely every make and model of tuba ever made” is always worth a smile.
That having been said, I suspect that part of the incessant tuba swapping can be credited to spending twice as much as needs to be spent to get something that plays, but half as much as what’s required to get something extraordinary.

""What exists" vs. "what is acceptable" vs. "what is really good" can be very different things. "What is affordable" is altogether something different. At least the boy will know what exists (the idea behind my list). He will have to discover those instruments that meet his definition of "good enough" and "affordable," and we'll be along for that journey.

He didn't ask me, but if he did, I'd tell him to play the hell out of the 20J while saving his @$$ off for a really exceptional Holton, Martin, or York (or something not MUSA that fits the "really good" criteria, maybe a Piston Fafner , Wessex Prokofiev or a Gronitz PBK). But he didn't ask me, so I will wait until he does.

[bort2.0]

“The TFFJ recommending absolutely every make and model of tuba ever made” is always worth a smile.
That having been said, I suspect that part of the incessant tuba swapping can be credited to spending twice as much as needs to be spent to get something that plays, but half as much as what’s required to get something extraordinary.

""What exists" vs. "what is acceptable" vs. "what is really good" can be very different things. "What is affordable" is altogether something different. At least the boy will know what exists (the idea behind my list). He will have to discover those instruments that meet his definition of "good enough" and "affordable," and we'll be along for that journey.

He didn't ask me, but if he did, I'd tell him to play the hell out of the 20J while saving his @$$ off for a really exceptional Holton, Martin, or York (or something not MUSA that fits the "really good" criteria, maybe a Piston Fafner , Wessex Prokofiev or a Gronitz PBK). But he didn't ask me, so I will wait until he does.

Ooh, I can do the question and answer all in one sentence now!

Hey Doc, if it were up to you, what would your approach be okay thanks for the suggestions that does sound like a good idea.

And honestly, I'd be pretty open to that idea IF I CAN FIND AN UPRIGHT BELL FOR THE 20J. Not easy to find, but I know they exist!