Expert: Glenn Blake - 2/7/2012

Question
QUESTION: My father in law purchased a Beaufort American Tuba from a garage sale, its pretty dirty but I was able to find what I believe is the serial number, 70174. Is there any way we can determine the age of the Tuba, or estimated value. It is dented in one of the curved areas. We would appreciate any knowledge you can provide us. Thank you so much!

ANSWER: Hi,

Let me first say wow!!!

I was so elated that you asked me!

I am a Tuba player and this absolutely made my day, but down to business.

I have played one, and I can say they are a sturdy horn. However, I can't unearth the age, although I personally think it's 30's-50's.

As for value, I would say $500 in current condition, and if overhauled $1500. These are just rough estimates.

A real value is whatever someone will pay, but if you want to play it, I would not take less than those quotes. Although if someone was a collector and wanted it, I think an overhauled quote would be $2000

Thank you so much for sharing this with me,
Glenn



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Glenn-

What do you recommend we use to clean the Tuba in order to get the dirt and thick black grime off of it? We don't intend to overhaul it completely by ourselves but i believe its brass, am I correct on that? I am just so excited to clean it up to see if it will play and hear the sound quality in its current state. Thanks again!

Answer
Hi,

I think it looks like tarnished silver.

Take some brasso and polish a little spot and if it shines gold then its brass but I personally think its the tarnished silver. Anyway if you polish a spot with brasso and it doesn't shine brass, then just standard silver polish, Weiman's.

Be sure to use a rag with the brasso not a hard brush because with a brush you will actually rub the silver plating off.

Might want to make sure the valves aren't bad. If they are still silver, your good. However, if they are completely brass looking, your in trouble.

Feel free to ask any questions I love the Tuba.

Hopes this helps,
Glenn