Posted by tuba dad on February 19, 2002 at 17:33:58:
In Reply to: horn for college? posted by me on February 18, 2002 at 22:28:44:
Maybe not what you want to hear, but I recommend that you come up with some more money and move up the tuba quality ladder. If you can get into the $6500+ bracket, you will get a much higher quality used horn that will carry you through and well past college.
Also, don't expect colleges to have BATs for your use, but many will have F tubas you can rent. Others may disagree, but that whole BAT craze is a waste of money (or said differently, it is better to put your money into a really fine 4/4 horn).
Finally...all of this depends on your college goals...are you going into music ed, or are you going in with the idea of being competitive for tuba jobs, not only at your college but after you get out. If it is the latter, you have to look at this tuba purchase as an investment. When you get to college and look around, you will see that the top students are playing the higher quality (and certainly more expensive) horns and you will be putting yourself at a competitive disadvantage from the get go.
Not trying to discourage you - really trying to be helpful.