I started playing the tuba again after nearly twenty years? break and was searching a replacement for my previous instrument. I bought one of these and have been really happy with it. I use it in a wind band and a brass quintet. It?s got a beautiful sound throughout the range. Lower notes have the deepness needed in the wind orchestra, but in the higher register there?s just the right brightness for solo parts in a brass quintet. Definitely worth every penny!