SUPERB YAMAHA YBB-641 BB-flat Concert Tuba, BEST MODEL. 4 rotaries, NOT "made in Indonesia" or "made in China" Start Price USD 3,950.00 Current Price USD 3,950.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price USD 4,150.00 Reserve Price - Start Time Monday, October 06, 2008 End Time Thursday, October 16, 2008 Location Wichita, Kansas See more about 'SUPERB YAMAHA YBB-641 BB-flat Concert Tuba, BEST MODEL.' Description WICHITA BAND INSTRUMENT COMPANY 2525 East Douglas Avenue Wichita, KS 67211 Tel: (316) 684-0291; FAX (316) 684-6858 Email: wbic@wichitaband.com Superb Concert Tuba in the key of BB-flat, made in Japan by Yamaha, their "top of the line" model YBB-641. Although it's come to us in very good original condition, it's one of the earlier YBB-641 models, made in Yamaha's "custom brass workshop" in Hammamatsu, Japan. We HAVE recently seen saxophones and flutes from Yamaha stamped "made in Indonesia". And we've been told that some of their saxophones are now also made in China. We've NOT yet seen Indonesian or Chinese Yamaha tubas, but we are 100% certain our instrument definitely is of quality, from their workshop in Hammamatsu. Based on the "Golden Age" tubas from Mirafone, the YBB-641 has .812 inch bore size, 16 1/2 bell diameter and is furnished with gold-brass mouthpipe. Current "Suggested retail price" on a YBB-641 is $10,854. Street price seems to be about $7500 - $7600. Our EBay YBB-641 came to us with minor dings here and there, but has never had any serious dents. No wrinkles to the bell, no breaks to the brass, no big damage anywhere. It's a good design, in that it's pretty easy to take off the valve cluster, ball out the dings, then re-assemble. We spent about 8 hours with the dent work, which is far less than we normally spend on tubas or Sousas. Original rotary valves are still very good, fast and showing minimal wear. The tuba is clean, wears 95% lacquer finish. We've spot-lacquered a couple of areas that showed wear patterns, but nothing major was required. Condition is good, with dings to the end-bow and slides recently burnished out in our shop in Wichita. It DOES have the original case with it, but it does show wear and scuffs. Solid, but not beautiful. This one's 100% "made in Japan", of high quality, has the voice of a giant cathedral pipe-organ. Bottom line is that it's a fine pro-quality BB-flat tuba that's dent and ding-free, original and priced at about half the figure of a new one! Our two-year service warranty is included, as always! Highest recommendation! ******************************************************************************************** Wichita Band Instrument Company is a small musical instrument emporium located in the center of the USA. We’ve been in business since 1953 and have had the same owner since 1963. Originally we were a repair shop that specialized in woodwind and sax restoration. Today we have 18 employees including eight of the finest repair technicians in the country. Virtually ALL the items we sell have been fully reconditioned in our own shop, although we do sell the occasional unrestored historical instruments each year. Here’s what we do to all used brass instruments we sell: The instrument is taken apart and everything washed clean. We don’t believe in chemical dips, but do use plenty of soap and water! Dings are next burnished from body, bell, end-bow and crooks. With a little effort, we can make things look "like new" again. After the body-shop work’s been completed, we assemble, lubricate and play test the instrument Wichita Band’s service warranty is the same as it’s been for more than thirty years: "ALL new and all used instruments sold by Wichita Band Instrument Company come with our 24 month service warranty. It’s in addition to any factory guarantees. For two full years, we will repair or replace - whichever in our estimation is the more advisable - pads, corks, springs or other parts required, at no charge to the customer. In the event of cracked or damaged wood sections, we will repair at no cost to the customer or replace the section and charge the customer only for our net costs for the replacement section. Often, wood replacement parts are supplied from the manufacturer at no charge. The customer is responsible for shipping and insurance charges. Cases and plating finishes are not covered by our service warranty but are sometimes covered by factory guarantees." Wichita Band’s service warranty does cover dents and dings to your sax. If your instrument sustains damage we’ll burnish out the dents and make it look "like new" again. The cost you is absolutely nothing except shipping and insurance charges. Wichita Band Instrument Company maintains a repair department capable of restoration work of the highest quality. Even though repairs are essentially "free" for the first two years, after that period has expired, we remain at your service to maintain and repair your musical equipment forever. It’s our "service after the sale" promise and has been since 1953! In the event that a customer requires service under factory guarantees or Wichita Band’s service warranty, the item must be returned to us and not directly to the manufacturer. Anything we sell can be sent to you for a short approval period without obligation. We collect NO SALES TAX, unless you’re lucky enough to live in Kansas. The customer is responsible for shipping and insurance and must pre-pay back to us any freight charges on returned equipment. International shipping is available. Returned items will be refunded within 3 weeks of receiving the item. We’re happy to send any instrument "on approval" for five days, but ask the prospective buyer to pay shipping both ways and to please reimburse us for Ebay, clean-up and restocking charges (2.95%) on any returned instrument. VISA/MASTERCARD/DISCOVER/MONEY ORDER/CHECK/BANK TO BANK WIRE TRANSFER/PAYPAL ACCEPTED. Credit cards not accepted from some countries. We must ship to the credit card billing address or paypal confirmed address with exceptions made only at our discretion. We’re happy to correspond with musicians, players, parents and enthusiasts of all types. Written appraisals are always available, but please don’t write or telephone and ask "what’s granny’s mellophone worth?" Do an Ebay search and you’ll be able to figure it out for yourself. Please note: Many scam artists are now sending fake "Ebay second chance" offers or "Ebay/Paypal invoices" to high bidders and other bidders on closed and active ebay items. If we send you an "Ebay invoice" or "second chance offer" it will be from wbic@wichitaband.com. Please call us on our 800 number (800-835-3006) or (001-316-684-0291 for international buyers) or email us directly at wbic@wichitaband.com, to speak or write to us in person about any auction, and please verify any second chance offers from us. Customers wishing to use US Postal Service: Please be advised that we will be happy to send your item by the US Postal Service if you so desire. However, please be informed that if your item is lost, stolen or damaged in transit, it could take one year or longer to finalize the claim with the US Postal Service. Therefore, we cannot be responsible for lost, stolen or damaged items when shipped with the US Postal Service. Because of this problem, we cannot recommend the US Postal Service for anything other than inexpensive items. Please see our other auctions: Current E-bay auctions. Feel free to call or e-mail for any additional information. Wichita Band Instrument Co. 800-835-3006 payment line (USA and Canada), 316-684-0291 outside the USA and Canada order line, and info line, e-mail: wbic@wichitaband.com. OUR STORE Place a Bid!