Posted by BBC sousa on May 30, 2003 at 19:25:34:
In Reply to: U.S.Q.M. instruments HP or LP? posted by Steven on May 30, 2003 at 15:22:31:
I think I might have some good advice for you:
You are a (very enthusiastic, obviously) beginner, correct?
Go back to Dave Fedderly. Buy that gold-colored fiberglass BBb sousaphone that he has advertised for $475. That's a fantastic bargain, and a very reliable instrument with a decent sound and good scale.
Once you learn to play (again, I'm thinking that you've stated you are a beginner) take the gold sousaphone apart (easy to do), put a good coat of white aerosol paint on the body and bell (There are some really decent aerosols out there today), put it back together, and sell the instrument on eBay for MORE than you paid for it from Dave.
Once you have your $600 or more in hand and know how to play the tuba somewhat, go back to Dave Fedderly with more knowledge and some experience. Look through his selection of medium-priced tubas and pick out the one that you think you would enjoy the most.
-Joe S.