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Hello! I'm searching for a solid C tuba for majoring in music. Right now I have a Wessex Luzern but I want to upgrade to a C tuba in a better brand. Does anyone have any info on one that might be a little cheaper thag could fit the budget of a college student? Thanks!

This is only about twice the price of what you have, and - rather than "good enough for college" - it could well prove to be a "lifetime" tuba (a couple of tip-top American full-time players own/use them)...and you could have an amazing adventure going up to fetch it.

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bloke wrote: ↑Sat Aug 27, 2022 10:58 am This is only about twice the price of what you have, and - rather than "good enough for college" - it could well prove to be a "lifetime" tuba (a couple of tip-top American full-time players own/use them)...and you could have an amazing adventure going up to fetch it.

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I saw your post! Unfortunately I am in Georgia and I feel the shipping would be steep

Have it shipped to Detroit, and go fetch it, but you’ll miss out on an amazing trip through Canada.

I encourage you to do amazing things while you are young…

…like drive through the Canadian wilderness, and own a PT6.

bloke wrote: ↑Sat Aug 27, 2022 4:40 pm Have it shipped to Detroit, and go fetch it, but you’ll miss out on an amazing trip through Canada.

I encourage you to do amazing things while you are young…

…like drive through the Canadian wilderness, and own a PT6.

I wish I had time to travel College takes too much time

Even if shipping is $500 or even $600, that's still a great deal.
I don't see many near-gleaming PT6's for little more than 8 grand USD -shipping inc.

I've not carnival barking for something that I personally have for sale, here...
I'm just pointing you towards something really nice.

In 1974, I paid $1800 for a 4-rotor 186...and it wasn't a very good one.
Add shipping - and adjust for inflation, that's $11,000 in 2022 money.

Buy once, cry once. Said from experience…

When I was a young man looking to buy a CC (for college), I bought a very early example of the YCB-822. After about a year, I traded that for a early run 188. That’s what I used for the rest of my time in college. I think I’ve only played a PT-6P, and that was a long time ago. Nonetheless, based on what I’ve heard about the PT-6 over the years, I’d put the 188 and the PT-6 in the same category of “manageability” for any player, but more importantly for someone making the switch from Bb to C. The PT-6 has a bit more headroom for output and might be a little tougher for quintet work than a 188. Not a dealbreaker.

Sometimes a Gnagey CC will show up for around $5k or so. I think the Eastman ECB-632 may show up for around the same price, but those seem to not be selling.

The main thing to be wary of when shopping on a budget is taking a step backwards in regards to playing characteristics for the sake of changing keys. That seemed to be the case pre 2020 with younger people buying some of the really inexpensive CC tubas out there and discovering that their school King or whatever was a better player.

Caveat emptor.

What exactly is your budget?

bort2.0 wrote: ↑Sun Aug 28, 2022 4:47 pm What exactly is your budget?

Trying for around 5k-8k. Willing to go slightly higher

I happen to like these horns. And they're in your price range.

UncleBeer wrote: ↑Sun Aug 28, 2022 6:09 pm I happen to like these horns. And they're in your price range.

I actually own a Wessex! It is the Luzern BBb model. Is this model one of their handmade ones? The only concern I have is that my Wessex is not as open as other Tubas of the same size are. It absolutely has a "ceiling" that I am able to get past on Tubas of other brands. Is the Wyvern an exception to this?

Buy a Pt-6 and be done. The one bloke told you about is a good deal…

If you're still looking I have a miraphone1291 CC in Knoxville, TN in your budget

ChrisDodson wrote: ↑Thu Sep 01, 2022 3:21 pm If you're still looking I have a miraphone1291 CC in Knoxville, TN in your budget

I had a 1291 for about 5 years after college. Would have been GREAT to have while in school. Frankly... Not sure I've ever sounded better or been more comfortable on any tuba than the 1291. Easy to play, nice big sound, projects like crazy. Always a lot of compliments. And I loved the Miraphone pistons. I don't often like piston valves but these were extremely smooth and short-action. Never any intonation problems or anything. Just pure point and shoot.