Posted by Lee Stofer on September 04, 1999 at 14:08:55:
In Reply to: HOW#%$!(AT)#%$ CAN YOU AFFORD TUBA$$$$$$$$$ posted by anonymous on August 30, 1999 at 20:21:31:
Anonymous,
The truth is, there are many people who cannot afford it, but do it anyway. I know of someone who found his dream horn, and put it on his charge card. Yes, he was paying umpteen % on a tuba purchase that he realized later was not such a perfect horn. My first horn was used, and I got a loan for my second horn. I saved and put down a sizeable down payment, and financed the rest of the horn for 2 years at the going auto loan rate. Of course, I had a full-time job playing tuba, bought quality horns and took care of them, and have paid cash for any horn I've bought since then. You don't have to be on the tuba fashion train to play well, either. In 1996, I sold my expensive horns, and I play a 1935 Conn that plays just as well as, if not better than the $10,000+ Expense-o-phones. Feel free to contact me if you'd like some assistance in finding a good horn.
-Lee Stofer