Meinl Weston 751

[Msan1313]

other then no case and dents/blemish anyone have a clue why this 751 is super cheap?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Meinl-Weston...item5409e3f110

[davewerden]

My best guess is that it is reduced because of a repaired dent or crease in the bell. Usually you can't totally restore such things to their original shape. So for the reduced price you have an instrument that has a bit of irregularity in appearance, but it doesn't look like it would show much. It might be a very good buy if you like the horn otherwise.

[Msan1313]

Without a case would it be safe to ship it?

[davewerden]

Sure, if it is packed correctly. Custom Music shipped me several Sterling euphoniums without cases. The only time one arrived dented is when they used a cardboard box that had very little clearance in the long dimension, so the bottom bow had a dent. (The bell was protected by a plastic bag full of packing peanuts, so no damage there.)

Tubas are often sold without cases, so a dealer such as this one should be familiar with proper packing techniques.

[Msan1313]

Just out of curiosity would you buy this horn if you were in a situation similar to mine? This would become a primary instrument (normally staying in my school locker), and a second (probably a Meinl 451) would be at my house to practice on.

[davewerden]

I'll assume three things to answer your question.
1) You like the Meinl Weston 751 enough to consider buying a new one.
2) The normal price is around $9300 (which is what I'm seeing)
3) You won't be making a living as a soloist.

Then, yes, I would strongly consider this horn. It seems like a genuine bargain.

The only remaining "if" is whether the condition is clearly represented in the listing, but I assume there would be a return policy if there was undisclosed damage.

[davewerden]

For reference, the same vendor is selling another 751 that is used but with less damage for $7800. The other horn really does sound like a bargain in that context.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Meinl-Weston...item540a44bd5f

[Harleyferg]

RE the Meinl Weston 751:

I'll assume three things to answer your question.
1) You like the Meinl Weston 751 enough to consider buying a new one.
2) The normal price is around $9300 (which is what I'm seeing)
3) You won't be making a living as a soloist.

Then, yes, I would strongly consider this horn. It seems like a genuine bargain.

The only remaining "if" is whether the condition is clearly represented in the listing, but I assume there would be a return policy if there was undisclosed damage.

You assume he "won't be making his living as a soloist" because?

[Msan1313]

I did not get the horn, but I understand what he's talking about. I have played the 451 and 551, and a trend I have noticed is that the sound is very bland and big. There is no sparkle to the tone, and the bells are so large that the sound desperse, more. I would describe the horns as a good band horn, but it lacks the concentrated sound of a good soloist. I played with an ensemble of Tubas and Euphoniums, and I had trouble making my sound more present in the parts that I had the melody.