Posted by Tom Eshelman on June 03, 1999 at 11:23:05:
In Reply to: Buy or not? posted by Phyllis on June 02, 1999 at 11:52:09:
While others have offered good advice, I took a different course and things worked out well.
My son started tuba in school using a school tuba in 7th grade. Even though I have tubas of my own, only one was a BBb and it was not suitable for him (it was a Conn "monster" 24K). We bought a very inexpensive new horn after his first year and have never regretted it. The horn is a Musica 3/4 BBb. The horn and case was $1700 new (1993). He thrived on that horn and when it became obvious he needed a much better horn we were willing to invest the relatively big bucks it takes to buy a good CC. So while we waited one year before buying him a horn, it proved a real advantage to have his own horn at home full time which he could use for private lessons - and he definitely enjoyed having a cosmetically perfect horn that fit his body size. He's gone on to considerable success on the tuba. Contact me if interested in the Musica.