I don't *need* this...

[Stryk]

Terry,
If you ever make it up here - and something tells me you will - bring along that Jimbo copy of a Miraphone 80 F tuba. I’m not interested in buying it, but I would just like to see how close they came, just to satisfy my curiosity.

Will do!

[Heavy_Metal]

Thanks everyone, truly appreciate the input!

I dunno, maybe part of the constant buying/selling tubas was to keep myself interested? Or, just to reap the benefits of just not being attached to anything in particular.

Tim -- I doubt I'd ever go horn-less; I can't stomach the thought of that. But a reduction in investment (like that newer King 2341 from CL) would easily meet ALL my needs, and then some.

Frank -- it's never been about not liking the Alex, oh, it's a fantastic tuba! Just the feeling of being able to accomplish the same tasks with less of an investment.

Another similar reminder came up the other day -- I had been shopping for a snowblower this winter. When I bought my house last year, it had an old Toro sitting in the garage ("included"). Bone dry, hadn't been run in years. Looks "okay" physically, probably from the late 80s. I figured it was time for an upgrade, but wasn't too excited about spending $$$ for a new one. So, I finally unearthed it from the corner of the garage, put some gas in it, and gave it a go... and it turned over immediately, and works just fine! I mean... not the quietest or the safest snowblower (no safety release -- ack), but it makes short work of these 1-3" nuissance snows that happen all winter long. I'd love something quieter and safer. And the time for that will come (when it's the kids' job to clear the snow). But for now, I'll be careful and wear hearing protection and forego something more expensive. And if that old snowblower stops working, I'm not all that likely to replace it in the near term as well.

That's fine for a snowblower. But regarding the Alex, look at it as an investment in yourself. It will do all you ask of it, and you'll never find its limits. KEEP IT!!

I've bought and sold several tubas myself, but my current stable is pretty well settled. It was a decent way to experience several different instruments over a period of time, and if I lost money doing this it wasn't much. I see it as an educational expense. But I now have a group of very good tubas to call on when needed.

[edfirth]

From high school graduation in 1970 to leaving the west Point Band in 73' one horn at a time. Always had to sell one to buy another. This was the rule for me at college 73' to 75' then on the two circus bands I toured with. When I arrived in New Orleans I still had only the one horn. It was worn out and the valves stuck most of the time, although it made a magnificent sound. I had bought it on the west coast from Norm Bartold who told me he got it from "the tuba player on the Welk band". I later saw Buddy Hayes playing it on a black and white show. But I digress. Once I started working i bought a new horn, a Yamaha rotary, and when the work became plentiful I started buying other horns but not selling any. When I got to RatWorld the money was Very good so if I thought something else would make work easier and sound better I just bought it. By the time I hung it up there were still 7 tubas and a baritone here, having sold the tenor and bass trombones since I only played them for shows(where I pretty much already knew the music) at Disney since trombone places me too far from the stand to see the music. So now at 68 years of age with no motivation to take any work, the house and cars are paid off and no plastic debt, I'm torturing myself about which one to sell first having had lots of fun on all of them in lots of situations. I guess everyone gets here at some point. But thinking back, if you need it and can afford it, buy it and keep it just in case that situation arises again. They only appreciate in value.That's all , Ed

[DandyZ629]

If you're thinking of jettisoning your Alex...let me know, It'll go nicely with the 163 BBb I just acquired

[Three Valves]

Every time I pick up my Hagen I think I don't "need" a horn as nice as this, especially considering my lack of a practicing regiment or an actual paying gig. But it sure is nice to have one since I could afford one. I could have easily stayed with my 187, or have originally bought a 186 instead of a 187.

They just got a 187 at Baltimore Brass, but I don’t need it...

[Schlepporello]

Every time I pick up my Hagen I think I don't "need" a horn as nice as this, especially considering my lack of a practicing regiment or an actual paying gig. But it sure is nice to have one since I could afford one. I could have easily stayed with my 187, or have originally bought a 186 instead of a 187.

They just got a 187 at Baltimore Brass, but I don’t need it...

I know that it's not my old 187. That one found a new home in Tennessee. The current owner is still very happy with it too.

[Three Valves]

I actually think I was at BB when this one was dropped off...

[Schlepporello]

I actually think I was at BB when this one was dropped off...

They're good horns, and I do miss mine. But not enough to buy another one right now.

[KingTuba1241X]

Every time I pick up my Hagen I think I don't "need" a horn as nice as this, especially considering my lack of a practicing regiment or an actual paying gig. But it sure is nice to have one since I could afford one. I could have easily stayed with my 187, or have originally bought a 186 instead of a 187.

They just got a 187 at Baltimore Brass, but I don’t need it...

Dont tell me that

[Three Valves]

Uh, Oh...

Tubas Miraphone 187 Used A used Miraphone 187 5V BBb tuba featuring a .772" bore and 17 3/4" bell. This is the wide-body version of the classic 186 model. Excellent condition and a beautiful horn! Used, w/gig bag. Mar 10 $6,995.00 On Hold

[prairieboy1]

From high school graduation in 1970 to leaving the west Point Band in 73' one horn at a time. Always had to sell one to buy another. This was the rule for me at college 73' to 75' then on the two circus bands I toured with. When I arrived in New Orleans I still had only the one horn. It was worn out and the valves stuck most of the time, although it made a magnificent sound. I had bought it on the west coast from Norm Bartold who told me he got it from "the tuba player on the Welk band". I later saw Buddy Hayes playing it on a black and white show. But I digress. Once I started working i bought a new horn, a Yamaha rotary, and when the work became plentiful I started buying other horns but not selling any. When I got to RatWorld the money was Very good so if I thought something else would make work easier and sound better I just bought it. By the time I hung it up there were still 7 tubas and a baritone here, having sold the tenor and bass trombones since I only played them for shows(where I pretty much already knew the music) at Disney since trombone places me too far from the stand to see the music. So now at 68 years of age with no motivation to take any work, the house and cars are paid off and no plastic debt, I'm torturing myself about which one to sell first having had lots of fun on all of them in lots of situations. I guess everyone gets here at some point. But thinking back, if you need it and can afford it, buy it and keep it just in case that situation arises again. They only appreciate in value.That's all , Ed

Thank you for posting this. I am in the same position myself.