With such a variety of choices and price points, buying an instrument can be a daunting task. The best things you can do when considering to buy your first instrument are to try as many instruments as you can, talk to your teacher, and be patient.
To maximize the quality of your instrument while reducing the cost, consider purchasing a used instrument. New instruments, while cosmetically more attractive, depreciate significantly upon purchase, while well maintained used instruments tend to not depreciate much, if at all.
When looking for your first instrument, I would worry less about the type of finish or valves. Try to find something that plays well in tune, is comfortable to play, and fits into your budget.
When buying a first tuba, I recommend a 4/4 or 5/4 5 valve CC tuba for an aspiring college student or an aspiring professional musician. A B&S 3098 would be a great example of this type of instrument because of its size and its availability and price on the used market.
When buying a first euphonium, I recommend a 3+1 compensating euphonium for an aspiring college student or an aspiring professional musician. A Besson Sovereign would be a great example of this type of instrument because it is compensating and is widely available on the used market at a reasonable price.
To maximize the quality of your instrument while reducing the cost, consider purchasing a used instrument. New instruments, while cosmetically more attractive, depreciate significantly upon purchase, while well maintained used instruments tend to not depreciate much, if at all.
When looking for your first instrument, I would worry less about the type of finish or valves. Try to find something that plays well in tune, is comfortable to play, and fits into your budget.
When buying a first tuba, I recommend a 4/4 or 5/4 5 valve CC tuba for an aspiring college student or an aspiring professional musician. A B&S 3098 would be a great example of this type of instrument because of its size and its availability and price on the used market.
When buying a first euphonium, I recommend a 3+1 compensating euphonium for an aspiring college student or an aspiring professional musician. A Besson Sovereign would be a great example of this type of instrument because it is compensating and is widely available on the used market at a reasonable price.
My Instruments
B&S 3098S 5/4 CC Tuba
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B&S 5099/2W-S 4/4 F Tuba
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Meinl Weston 182 3/4 F Tuba
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John Packer JP374ST Sterling Compensating Euphonium
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G&P Cimbasso in F
My previous equipment:
BB flat tubas
Miraphone 186 5u
CC tubas
Conn 56j, VMI(B&S) Neptune, B&S 3198, Hirsbrunner 2p, Tuba Exchange 410
F tubas
Miraphone 181 6u, Karl Ziess, Yamaha YFB822S
Cimbasso
Mack Brass Cimbasso in F
Euphoniums
Jinbao JEP-160, Besson Imperial
BB flat tubas
Miraphone 186 5u
CC tubas
Conn 56j, VMI(B&S) Neptune, B&S 3198, Hirsbrunner 2p, Tuba Exchange 410
F tubas
Miraphone 181 6u, Karl Ziess, Yamaha YFB822S
Cimbasso
Mack Brass Cimbasso in F
Euphoniums
Jinbao JEP-160, Besson Imperial