Posted by Tuba Dad on February 25, 2002 at 15:08:09:
In Reply to: St. Pete price posted by Tony on February 25, 2002 at 13:14:43:
Allow me to pontificate a bit. My son is a budding tubist in HS in need of a "pretty good" BBb. We very nearly bought a used St. Pete on Ebay for ~$2500. My son & I have seen them & he's played them. Tuba Exchange is very aggressive about selling them new. They're barely OK, but I shudder to think that some schools are spending their hard-earned money on these, knowing the abuse and long-term investment it reflects. What we did settle on in our house is a used Miraphone 186 from Dillon Music for ~$3000. He absolutely loves it. The other night, WAY past his bedtime, he was oiling the valves and greasing the slides-- just playing with it well past his practice time. Do what you want, I don't have a dog in the race, but I'd advise finding another instrument besides the one you've mentioned.