Posted by Lee Stofer on March 21, 2002 at 09:04:11:
In Reply to: How to pay for a tuba-loans vs. other posted by options on March 20, 2002 at 17:35:12:
I did not own a tuba until the last semester of my senior year as an undergrad. I used what the school had, which was good enough, and worked on a construction crew during the summers, and by my senior year had saved enough to buy my 3/4 Rudi Meinl CC. That's how I did it in college. After I had a full-time job as a musician in the Army, I started shopping for a 5/4 tuba, and went to my bank for a loan. Using the tuba and my car as collateral, they loaned me the money at a very decent rate.
Something to consider before buying a very expensive tuba - I've made more money playing my recording-bell Conn BBb than with any other horn I've owned.
-Lee Stofer