BBb Tubas
| BY SPECIAL ORDER
Alexander 164
 |
Custom built Alexander "Kaiser" model 164 BBb tuba was made for one of our
clients. This is a BIG tuba. The horn is so cool we had to put some
photos up for all to enjoy! By special order, custom built in
4-6 months. 
 |
$16000 |
| NEW
Josef Lidl 701
 |
This 3/4 size four rotary valve BBb tuba is compact but has excellent
projection and a very full sound for its size. Includes
compact hard case. Made in the Czech Republic, this is an
excellent first tuba for the student who prefers the ergonomics of a
medium size horn, or for the jobbing player needing a smaller BBb
tuba for pit orchestra, chamber music, or stand-up work This is a great little tuba,
excellent low range, beautiful tone, good pitch, big sound for a
small horn, very light and resonant. Includes hard case.
It's a great buy for a compact tuba.
We have one that had some minor red rot on one of the small
bows. Robb Stewart made an artful patch for it.
Slightly used by the first client while he waited for a
replacement. "A" condition. We'll also give you the
replacement bow in case there is ever a future problem.
 |
Special $3600 |
| BY SPECIAL ORDER
Meinl Weston HoJo
 |
Howard Johnson is an incredible jazz tuba player based
out of New York, He's been working with Meinl Weston to
develop a new BBb tuba that's as nimble and fun to play jazz on as
are the smaller Eb and F tubas. They've done it. This
BBb tuba is the most nimble model I've ever played, and is the only
BBb tuba that I'd heartily recommend for a bass trombone player who
wants to double and doesn't want to play CC, Eb, or F. It's a
four front piston design, in a smaller bore, but with a decently
large body and bell, and it has a big mellow sound.
The pitch is great, the tone is beautiful, and
dynamic range is easy to control. It's just a bit easier to
get around on it than on a Miraphone 282 BBb tuba. The only
drawback is that due to the smaller bore, the low range peters out a
bit for me. As I get down to low D or so, it's hard to really
crank out the loud notes as well as I can on the 282 or some larger
tubas. But who has to play that low anyway? There is indeed
enough slide pull to get a low C, and if someone wanted to play The
Lion King (which has several low C's), I'd say, work on it, and lean
into the microphone. Sold without case. Meinl Weston
also makes a top action version of this horn. We find the front
action version like this to be more popular, and I find the
ergonomics are excellent. .669" bore, 17.3" bell, small 4/4 size.
Norm Pearson of the LA Philharmonic really likes this
tuba. He says it plays like a small version of the big MW Baer
CC he uses.
We have Glenn Cronkhite cases in stock for this tuba.
This tuba usually available in 1-2 weeks.
|
$5600 |
| NEW
Miraphone 282
 |
This is a new
model from Miraphone. It's a larger 3/4 size BBb tuba, which we
might even refer to as a 7/8 tuba, since it has such a big sound for
a compact horn. This is a much more nimble instrument than the
larger 186, and still has a broad sound and a very decent low
range. It has four rotary valves, a short nickel leadpipe with
conical bore through the valves, a brass body with nickel trim,
adjustable thumb ring, and a nickel bell kranz. It features lyre
and carrying strap attachments. The first and third valve slides
are easily accessible at the top of the tuba, and the third valve
slide has a very long pull, so you can pull it out and get a very in
tune low C with all four valves down. That's a nice feature,
because, although rarely written, the low C does appear on occasion,
and to play it in tune with four valves saves the weight and expense
of adding a fifth valve - not a trivial matter. Specs: This tuba
has a medium size 16.5” (420 mm) bell, with quite a different flare
from the traditional Miraphone designs. This one reminds me more of
a British style Eb bell, with a larger flare, and the smart design
shows with the big tone you can get from this horn. The valve
section is a conical bore, from .772-.803” (19.6-20.4 mm). That
means the fourth valve tubing is the largest of the valves, and that
makes sense since you usually add the fourth valve for only the
lowest notes, and this give a faster response and an open feel.
This tuba is a joy to play. It doesn’t bark the way the older 184
and 185 tubas does, so you get the feel of a bigger horn with less
effort and less weight. Read: medium bodied players won’t hurt
their back lugging it around. The pitch is good, it’s nimble for
technical slurring and fast playing, and the valve linkages are
absolutely silent with a short throw. One feature I also like is
the bottom-facing tuning slide, which is easily emptied, and doesn’t
gather moisture as do the tubas with a loop at the tuning slide
(184, 186, 188). The tuba is sold without case, but is a decent fit
in an MTS 1207V, or a Cronkhite gig bag. Includes TU15 mouthpiece.
|
$5400 |
| Miraphone 186
 |
Same as above, in lacquered brass with nickel trim, nickel leadpipe,
gold brass around tuning bow, nickel kranz. Excellent
German-made professional 4/4 tuba, new completely silent rotary
valve linkages. This is the standard for a fine BBb tuba at a
great price. One left at this price.
 |
$6000 |
| Miraphone 191
 |
This
is a newer design from Miraphone. It’s a large bell, large bore BBb
tuba with a compact wrap. For that reason, it’s called either a 4/4
or a 5/4 size tuba depending on whom you ask. So, it’s a big large
bore 4/4, or a compactly wrapped 5/4. You choose. Besides the
large bore, the 5/4 proponents look at the large bottom bow and
large bell throat which makes this a decent big larger than a 4/4
186 tuba. This 191 has four or five rotary valves, a brass body
with nickel leadpipe and bell kranz, and nickel trim. It is
available in all gold brass as well. If you prefer a broader sound
and a larger feeling horn that’s still nimble, I think this is a big
improvement over the 186 in slotting and tone. It’s less brittle
and more nimble than the 186, and it has the traditional fast
Miraphone response but with less of a barking tone when you push the
volume. This professional quality instrument has an amazing low
range. If you have to play Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet, this horn
would be a great choice, as the low F simply roars out of the horn.
The new valve linkages on this model are absolutely silent. No
sound, no rattle, nada, nope, very quiet. This horn has a large
18.5” (470 mm) bell and a constant bore thorugh the valves of .835”
(21.2 mm). Includes attachments for lyre and carrying strap, and
includes TU33 mouthpiece. Case is not included, but it can be
carried in an MTS 1207V case or a Cronkhite gig bag. Two left
at this price.
In stock in yellow brass with four valves.
Available in any combination of yellow or gold brass with 4 or 5
valves, ask for a quote.
|
$6500 |
| NEW
Miraphone 1291
 |
New large 4/4 four front piston, lacquer. Great new design from
Miraphone. This tuba is one of the best BBb tubas we've played. Mellower,
wider sound than the rotary 191, less pointed tone on the attacks,
great pitch, a very worthy instrument for the working player who
prefers BBb to CC tuba. |
$7100 |
| Yamaha YBB-641
 |
Large 4/4 four rotary valve BBb tuba, similar to Miraphone 186.
Includes hard case with wheels. Laquered brass with nickel
trim and gold brass leadpipe. We have a special on a new, demo model, mint condition, not factory fresh |
$6000 |
CC Tubas
| NEW
Miraphone 1291 |
Miraphone 5/4 piston CC, 5 valves, in rare silver plate
finish, with Gard gig bag. Some bell dents removed,
shows scarring, minor scratches on backside, from player's
buttons or belt, a few very minor dings elsewhere, should not
effect playing, no dents in bottom bow. A new one of
these at the 2008 prices would be $8500 + case. Steal
this lightly used model from us at a great price.
 |
Used A-
$7300 |
| Alexander 163
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Professional 5/4 rotary CC tuba custom made in Mainz,
Germany.
.808" bore, five rotary valves, yellow brass with a gold brass bell.
The bell is made the old fashioned way, a large hand-hammered piece
of brass finished with a triangle seam (see photos). This method of
production requires a lot of skill and is considered a superior way
to build a bell flare. It doesn't get much
classier than an Alexander tuba. Older Alex's have had a
questionable reputation for good intonation, however this one is
most excellent. The sound of this horn is a classic orchestral tuba
sound. The rotors are fast and smooth. The response is almost
immediate and the tone is pure and rich with a powerful sonic
quality. Check
out the amazing details and hand engraving in the following pics.
Most players who stop by the shop find this to be their favorite
large CC tuba.
 |
$13000 |
| Gronitz PCM
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4/4 four piston, one rotary valve tuba, silver plate or lacquer.
Recently becoming one of the most sought after model tubas. Well
rounded and able to be used in most situations, orchestral or
chamber. All handmade in Hamburg Germany with terrific
craftsmanship. In stock in lacquer or silver plate. One of
each left at this price. Replacements will cost about $15K
each. |
$10500 lacquer $11400 silver |
| BY SPECIAL ORDER
Gronitz PCK
 |
Large 6/4 five valve piston CC, Kaiser Model, similar to the
Yorkbrunner, silver plate. Alan Baer won the New York Philharmonic
position on this model tuba. Gronitz tubas are handmade in Hamburg,
Germany in a small shop. Each valve, crook and bend is hand
fit on the horn. One of the best CC tubas you can buy. Despite
its large size, it's easy to play and is a very versatile tuba.
Shown below in silver plate, we have it available in lacquer
finish.
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$15000 lacquer $16000 silver |
| Josef Lidl 701
|
This 3/4 size four rotary valve tuba is compact but has excellent
projection and a very full sound for its size. Includes
compact hard case. Made in the Czech Republic, this is an
excellent first tuba for the student who prefers the ergonomics of a
medium size horn, or for the jobbing player needing a smaller BBb
tuba for pit orchestra, chamber music, or stand-up work We
have one BBb and one CC model on order. CC is in stock, BBb
will be available in one month. This is a great little tuba,
excellent low range, beautiful tone, good pitch, big sound for a
small horn, very light and resonant. Includes hard case.
This is a great buy for a compact tuba.
|
$4000 |
Meinl Weston 2145 |
Large 4/4 piston CC tuba, 5 valves, excellent condition, some minor tuba dents
and dents in the bell and regular wear from use. Terrific player, good intonation, solid
low register. All yellow brass with nickel trim. 4+1 valve combo.
Comes with a gig bag. Used, A- condition
 |
$6750 |
| SOLD
Miraphone 186
 |
This is a
classic compact 4/4 rotary valve CC tuba from Miraphone. We often
sell this to players looking for a reasonably priced professional CC
tuba, which is often their first tuba purchase. While it’s a full
4/4 size, it has a compact body and a 17.7” medium sized bell. This
is the same bell diameter as the 188, but has a smaller throat and
bottom bow. This provides a more clear, centered tone, a better
defined sound at lower volumes, and makes this a versatile tuba for
smaller as well as larger ensembles. This latest incarnation of the
186 CC has a nickel leadpipe to prevent corrosion, absolutely silent
valve linkages, a flat whole step tuned fifth valve, and has lyre
and carrying strap attachments. The horizontal tuning slide design,
like that on the 188, can be a spit catcher, but the advantage is
the ease of moving the tuning slide with your right hand, even while
playing (open notes only please). Valve bore is .772” (19.6 mm),
which is the same as the 188. Includes TU21 (C3) mouthpiece, which
has a medium diameter with a deeper cup, and works well for this
instrument. It is sold without case, but will fit well in an MTS
case or a Cronkhite gig bag.
We
have a special on a brand new 186 5-valve CC with a tiny ding on the
nickel bottom bow guard. It's minor, and if you're an active
player, it's not the last one. Buy this tuba at a great price of
$6950. Future shipments will all be at the new price of
$7300. Sorry about that. Inflation plus low US dollar
equals pricey German tubas.
 |
SPECIAL
$6950
|
| NEW
Miraphone 188
 |
This is a
classic design large rotary CC tuba from Miraphone. This model has
been popular for professional orchestra players for many years. The
great Tommy Johnson often used a 188, as do some of his colleagues.
The 188 is made of yellow brass with nickel trim, nickel leadpipe,
and nickel bell kranz. Included are lyre and carrying strap
attachments. Though it uses any of the parts from the similar 186,
this horn has larger bows and bell, allowing a broader sound with
less barking, a broader dynamic range, and a more open low range.
Also, the pitch is better, with an in-tune open E and first valve
D. We always offer this instrument with five valves in the right
hand, to satisfy the orchestral player who needs ease in playing the
very low range. New fifth valves in Miraphone tubas are tuned to
the industry standard flat whole step. This particular tuba, about
which I write, has a new linkage on the fifth valve, custom made for
us, to shorten the throw. All the valve linkages are totally
silent. No noise. The nickel leadpipe is a new feature on this
horn. Earlier versions with the brass pipe were vulnerable to
corrosion, because storing the tuba on its bell would allow water to
pool in the lead pipe and corrode it. The nickel pipe should have
no such trouble. While piston CC tubas seem to get all the airplay
lately, we still sell quite a few rotary models, and this 188 is a
best seller. Compared to other German models, the price is
reasonable, it still has a following in the professional world, and
there is a liveliness of tone and projection due to the rotary setup
that is hard to find elsewhere. For a larger rotary CC, it has a
compact body for easy transport, and a very nimble feel. If you
have to do everything on one horn, this is a contender. This tuba
has a medium 17.7” (450 mm) bell flare with kranz, and a
medium-large .772” (19.6 mm) straight bore through the rotors. It
includes a TU23 (C4) mouthpiece, which has a wider diameter cup with
a medium depth bowl for a fast response on this larger horn. It is
sold without case, but will fit well in an MTS case or a Cronkhite
gig bag. The 188 is also available in all gold brass, which gives
an increased dynamic range, and a warmer, broader sound, with a
minor decrease in projection and and less coarseness of attack.
In stock
in both yellow
brass and all gold brass. Gold brass is $8200.
 |
$7800 |
| COMING SEPTEMBER 2008
Miraphone 1291
 |
Professional 5/4 four front piston, one rotary, lacquer. Terrific new
model CC tuba from Miraphone. Great intonation and a beautiful sound
make this a great all around CC tuba. Big mellow tone, nimble, easy
slotting, big low range.
 |
$8500 |
| NEW
Miraphone 1292
 |
Same as above 1291, but with a medium size nickel leadpipe. Four pistons, one rotor, lacquer.
This is the Alan Baer New Yorker model. 0.772 - 0.835''
conical bore, 18.5" bell 8/1/08 Two in stock in lacquer |
$8900 |
Eb Tubas
|
NEW
Miraphone 383 Star Light
 |
This is the Oystein Baadsvick solo model. If you haven't heard him
play, do yourself a favor and look him up. He's one of the
great tuba soloists of the world. This new medium size Eb tuba
has 5 rotary valves and can do ANYTHING. Solo on it like on a
small F tuba, but with a huge low range and no bad notes. Get the
high range and nimble feel of an F tuba with none of the peculiar
quirks in the low range. Lacquer with nickel trim, right hand
valves. .709" bore, 14.9" bell Special: We have a
very lightly used Star Light, in A+ condition, with two minor
dents removed, with a leather Cronkhite bag, and original
mouthpiece. Snake this one for a great price.
 |
Used A+ $7500 |
| COMING SEPTEMBER 2008
Miraphone 283 Norwegian Star
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Large 5/4 Eb tuba has 5 rotary valves and is large enough to be your
single symphony and solo axe. Get the high range and nimble
feel of an F tuba with none of the peculiar quirks in the low range.
Lacquer with nickel trim, right hand valves, sold without case.
This looks like a much smaller tuba than the York, below, but it
has almost as broad a sound. .772"-.835" bore, 15.75" bell.
Bill Roper, a Miraphone artist, has ordered one, and is awaiting
the next shipment. Expected around September 1. 
 |
$7800 |
| BY SPECIAL ORDER
York 3082
 |
Beautiful German-made Eb tuba, 3+1 compensating piston model, silver
plate, with hard case. Made by Schreiber in Marchneukirchen,
who used to make this tuba for Besson. New tooling is tuned
up, so think of it as a super Besson 982 type tuba. This is a
pretty big Eb, useful for brass bands, doubling, and even orchestra work.
It should be an excellent all-around tuba for the player who
wants to be more of a virtuoso than a BBb tuba will allow, but wants
a better low range than offered by most F tubas. .689"
bore, 19" bell. Lacquer version shown, silver plate is the
same price. Includes hard case and Denis Wick mouthpiece. |
$6447 silver plate |
F Tubas
| Gronitz PF125
 |
One of the great F tubas of the world. This is a large
4 piston, 1 rotary F tuba made in Hamburg Germany in a small
custom shop. While being very similar in size to the Yamaha 822
Self model, this Gronitz has a liveliness and character of sound
that puts ahead of the Yamaha for many players. The fifth
rotor is available in several tunings, but we offer the most
popular flat whole step. In lacquer or silver plate.
19-20-21mm conical bore, 16.5" bell |
$11495 silver plate |
| REDUCED
Meinl Weston 45
|
We have one used Meinl Weston F tuba in stock, which is a
professional full-size German rotary valve tuba, picked out by
Warren Deck for one of his students. Five rotary valves,
all right hand, all lacquered brass with nickel trim, gold brass
leadpipe, and gold brass bell. Bell has nickel kranz.
Excellent condition, near mint, nice mechanical action, with
completely silent mini-ball linkages. Nice playing horn,
very nimble with a warm sound, good pitch, low C feels
un-centered but it sounds very good, which is typical for German
rotary F tubas. You can get used to it. Includes gig
bag.
.728"-.768" conical bore,
16.5" bell. Includes MW road case.
 |
$6500 used |
| COMING
SEPTEMBER 2008 Miraphone 281 Firebird
 |
This is the new hot 4/4 rotary F tuba, and stands out from
the crowd as one of the very few rotary F tubas with a centered
low C and an even all-around low range. Available in
yellow or gold brass, with 5-6 valves in several configurations.
This is a more compact sounding instrument than the 181, but
with a more centered low range. .772"-.835" conical bore,
15.75" bell Shown at left in gold brass with 5 valves. |
$8200-8800 |
| Yamaha YFB-821 Roger Bobo
 |
This is a new custom version of the above 621 F tuba.
It has a larger bell, improved ergonomics, two included fifth
valve slides, and we think some of the bows have been changed.
This is the star of the small F tuba genre, with a completely
even response from top to bottom, and a low range second to
none. This was made for the great tuba soloist, Roger Bobo.
Available in lacquer or silver plate, with Yamaha gig bag.
These are built to order in the Yamaha custom shop. Wait
time can be up to six months. Fifth valve is available set up
for right or left hand. .689" bore, 17.5" bell |
$10999 silver plate |
| Yamaha YFB-822 Jim Self
 |
This is large 4 piston, 1 rotor F tuba, also made in the
Yamaha custom shop. It looks similar to the Gronitz PF125,
and has a velvety smooth sound and an evenness throughout the
range of the instrument that makes it easy to play. The
low range is simply spectacular for an F tuba. When
players want an F tuba do to everything, and to sub for CC tuba
in smaller groups, this is often the instrument they choose.
Played by Jim Self , Doug Tornquist, and many professional
players in Los Angeles. Includes very compact hard case.
In lacquer or silver plate. .768" bore, 17.5" bell. |
$9339 silver plate |
Cimbassi
|
