Disregarding its appearance, checking with a professional, and thoroughly cleaning the tuba are some of the best tips for buying a used tuba. To get the best price for a used tuba, musicians might need to turn a blind eye to the occasional scratch or nick. These flaws can usually be repaired anyway and do not matter as long as they do not affect the instrument’s ability to play music. It is also important to get a professional to check over the instrument to ensure it is worth buying. Lastly, a used tuba should definitely be cleaned to rid it of other people’s leftovers, and the buyer will need a case to carry it.
Buying a good-quality tuba is expensive, but a secondhand tuba can be just as good without the daunting price tag. There are some blemishes and flaws that can easily be overlooked to get a better price. For example, scratches are rarely a problem; in fact, all instruments get a bit scratched up eventually. Nicks and slight cracks also might not be a problem. As long as the instrument checks out with someone who knows tubas really well, the appearance of it does not matter.
Whenever a person decides to buy an instrument he or she knows little about, a professional should be contacted to help make the final decision. This professional can be an acquaintance, friend or family member, or someone who repairs tubas for a living. Sometimes instrument shops will rent out an instrument, giving potential customers enough time to let someone else look it over. In some cases, the person will need to check out the instrument at the store itself. Whatever route is chosen, this should not be skipped, because it can lead to wasting a lot of money on something that does not work or breaks within several months.
After purchasing a used tuba, it is a good idea to clean it, both for sanitation and to extend the life of the instrument. There are many things that need to be performed to completely clean a tuba, including using brushes to clean the valves and soaking the tuba in a special wash. It is considered important to use brushes and soap that are meant for cleaning tubas, as some brushes and soaps can damage tubas.
Investing in a tuba case is generally advisable because tubas are large but delicate instruments. A tuba case features a soft interior that houses the tuba in two or three pieces. The exterior of a tuba case is usually made from hard plastic, metal, or a combination of the two. A tuba case typically has wheels, like a wheeled suitcase, because tubas can be heavy. One thing to keep in mind when purchasing a tuba case is whether it fits the tuba correctly, as different brands and models can have different measurements.