The “Art” of these instruments…

[bloke]

Before the (not sure if - as early as 1915 - they were designated as) 36J is picked up, I should clean the tarnish from the engraving a shoot a pic.

IF (??) I'm reading "Conn Loyalist" correctly, and IF it's accurate, perhaps it's a 1913-introduced model (pre "J") named...

"New Invention BBb Orchestra Grand Bass"...(??)

(The one sitting here is QUITE different - in quite a few ways - from anything pictured on the C L website.)

I "wonder" (pun intended) if builders had some fun, in regards to all the variations (that we witness) in their early tubas.

not a wonderful picture, and only a 1-minute hit with the center-sewn rouge wheel, but...

22-inch "Orchestra Grand" bell engraving

[the elephant]

Someone needs to BUY that thing...

If you are referring to my horn, I supposed I need to put it up for sale. I really don't want it gone, but I have not touched it since I got the YamaYork. I don't generally have time to fool with horns I'm not actively using for work.

[bloke]

I understand attachment to instruments. I just try to realize that they are not my cats, I'd give any of them up to save a cat of mine without even a second thought, and I can actually let go of them and let someone else enjoy them - rather than having them sit. I'm not trying to be smart. I do understand the connection and maybe even the hope that something that was involved in a bunch of pleasant memories might actually be picked up again, but - and not trying to speak for someone else but - just the general realization that it almost certainly won't.

I know someone else would really beam with pride (and joy) to be able to daily play and use that instrument.

[the elephant]

Yeah. In that regard (as with the stupidity of shipping tubas or the potential wonderfulness of a good 186) I agree with you about keeping unused horns in the stable. Why? I make money doing this. Money is WHY I do it. I chose to make this my source of income decades ago and set out to make that happen. Unlike most, I succeeded to a certain degree. I am happy with that. And because I only succeeded to a certain degree, I cannot afford even a reduced-price, used YamaYork without a loan from my bank.

Which needs to be paid every month, on time, without fail, for a very long time. It is a smallish payment, but I would be much happier if I could retire that debt in one go. This sale will take care of that monthly note and still leave me enough with which to buy a few comic books when all has been said and done. Maybe more than a few. ("Pogo" reprints, anyone?)

So the ad is up. I hate it but it is posted. Thanks for the gentle reminder that I need to move on since I made my final choice between the two BATs a few months ago. My selective memory has filtered out all references to selling the Holton, I guess, heh, heh…

BTW - When that eventual house fire or tornado finally comes, my arms will be filled with squirming cats, not shiny silver tubas. I made that conscious decision many, many years ago, so we agree on that, too. Cats first; Pets are family! :-)

[Mary Ann]

There are many of us here that will have the squirming cats and not even waving goodbye to the tubas, if there has to be a choice. That of course assumes we can catch the cats before we all die.

[the elephant]

In my case, a fire or tornado could cause me to lose my job if I cannot replace my instruments fast enough. I cannot do my job at all without them, and my USAA homeowners policy is iffy on high-value instruments and the circumstances surrounding the loss. They are not just instruments for me — they are my work tools. This is one of the reasons some guys have home horns and hall horns.

And for the Wisenheimers, I live below the poverty line right now. I cannot in any way afford instrument insurance right now until our situation improves. Perhaps next year. Eventually. It will be nice when we can also bring the coverage on our vehicles back up to full comprehensive rather than the State-mandated minimum coverage we currently carry.

Hard times blow.

[bloke]

I've talked frankly with people who work for the most well known instrument insurance company and they've had to drastically raise their rates due to epic claims, as there's so much stuff stolen out of cars now. I can't afford that insurance. They always say that it's safe to leave stuff in the hall but that's total BS. Anytime after they say that, you can go right back in there after you find some way to get in (which you always can) and just take your stuff and leave. That's the antithesis of safe. I use strategies such as hiding my stuff in the hall and mixing it in with what looks to be empty sound guys' crates. I really can't drag my things into restaurants, so I park with my car backed up to a window in the part of the restaurant where I think I'm going to be sitting. Those aren't 100%, but I think they're a little bit better than nothing. Mrs bloke has black tablecloths. I've used those. The windows are already darkened in that part of the car and that tack works pretty well at night, but I never do that overnight.