Posted by Leland on November 18, 2003 at 18:30:23:
In Reply to: just asking for a little advice posted by Matt Maupin on November 18, 2003 at 13:54:23:
Additionally, I'd suggest playing as many "local" horns as you can, through players in community bands or at the local Tubachristmas or anyplace else. Put the word out among your friends & family that you're looking for a tuba to purchase (even your parents' coworkers could be a source). Who knows -- you might luck out and find an entirely worthwhile specimen of a great tuba.
I've seen quite a few young players get themselves very nice brand-new instruments only to sell them years later or still have them languishing, unused, in the basement. Give a few more years to your development before you drop the equivalent of a used car's amount of cash into something that you may either outgrow or just dislike later on.