New Instruments

Josef Lidl LCB 686-5IR CC tuba

Josef Lidl LCB 686-5IR CC tuba, ser. # 220511,  5 right-hand valves, 17 7/8″ bell, .835″ bore,  2nd valve slide trigger, nickel-silver bell rim, leadpipe, valveset, lacquered.  This tuba is the largest, and darkest-sounding tuba in my current stock.  The .835″ bore, nickel-silver leadpipe, large traditional body and the large bell combine to produce a quality of sound that ìs wonderfully dark, but with available edge.  I think that it is wonderful to have a really classic sound, but also uniform response and really good tuning properties, all in one instrument.  This tuba would be recommended for large orchestra or band works, with plenty of volume, and enough flexibility to take on any technical work.  With Soundline gig case, mouthpiece and La Tromba lubricants…………………………$8,646.00


Josef Lidl LCB 684-5I Moldau model CC tuba

Josef Lidl LCB 684-5I Moldau model CC tuba, serial # 230007, 5 right-hand rotors, 16 5/8″ bell, .835″ bore, lacquered.  This is the tuba that I’d nominate for the award of best all-around business CC tuba, the one tuba that can do it all, and well. The silent and swift Lidl rotors with nickel-silver casings are some of the best ever made, with ergonomic levers and miniball linkage. With a nickel-silver leadpipe and dogleg between 4th rotor and the main tuning slide, red rot is not likely for at least 100 years.  I find the tuba to be lightweight, comfortable, and well-constructed.  This is the new CC version of the Moldau BBb, which is a best-seller in Europe and elsewhere.  The Josef Lidl craftsmen and designers worked for months last year to make this idea a reality.  The first production model sold within days of arriving in the US.  This Moldau is the second one to arrive from the Czech Republic.  If you are a serious student or professional, and are looking for a large-bore 4/4 CC that will help you accomplish your goals, you need to consider the Moldau CC.  I would personally rather own this tuba than any other CC tuba made, at any price, period.  Equipped with Soundline gig case, mouthpiece and lubricants………………………….$8,205.00


Josef Lidl LCB 681-4R CC tuba

Josef Lidl LCB 681-4R CC tuba, 4  rotary valves, 15 3/4″ bell with nickel-silver rim, .795″ bore, lacquered.  The overall dimensions of this instrument remind me of the older Mirafone 185 CC, having a relatively short, compact body wrap with the bell extending far above the top branch.  This tuba’s playing characteristics are also reminescent of such a tuba.  When I first unpacked the tuba, I thought, “Why did they send me a 4-valve CC?”  I play-tested it, then thought, “I think I know why!”  For light weight, lightning-quick response, beauty and purity of tone, you’d be hard-pressed to find better anywhere, at any price.  The instrument is so efficient that it produces a full-bodied sound without a lot of effort. And yes, the intonation is really good as well.  With Soundline gig case, mouthpiece and La Tromba lubricants………………$6,534.00

I can add a factory 5th valve for an additional $1,500.00.


Josef Lidl LFB 653-5I F-tuba

Josef Lidl LFB 653-5I F-tuba, serial number 220505, 5 right-hand rotors, 2nd slide trigger, rose brass leadpipe, full nickel-silver valveset, miniball linkage,15 3/4″ bell, graduated valve bore .717″ – .756″, lacquered.  This is the compact model F-tuba, compared to the LFB 651.  The LFB is considered to have a quicker response than the standard model.  An excellent choice for solo or ensemble use, I find it to be extremely responsive and a joy to play.  I think that the Josef Lidl careful craftsmanship eliminates problems encountered on many other F-tubas. All Josef Lidl tubas use a modern Euro shank size mouthpiece, and come with a Soundline gig bag and La Tromba lubricants…………….$6,639.00 


Stofer 4/4 Custom CC Tuba

Stofer 4/4 Custom CC tuba – .687″ valve bore, 19 3/16″ bell diameter, 31 1/2″ tall, bright silver plated or lacquered, either traditional vented, or MAW vented pistons, convertible to BBb, with case. After 20+ years of dreaming, apprenticing, praying, working and hoping, here it is, a professional 5-valve CC tuba built in my shop by the Grace of God. Based on the Getzen tubas built between 1993 and 2001, I have sought to correct all the details of that model, incorporate improvements such as the MAW pistons and the new MAW Open-Flow rotor, and have spent an enormous amount of time performing the most thorough and careful soldering job possible in assembling this instrument.  Particular attention to optimizing the leadpipe taper and bracing takes this instrument to a level not found in most instruments, making it really play like a York tuba.  To keep with the old-school quality construction, after buffing and hand-ragging, I have Anderson Silver Plating of Elkhart, Indiana plate the tubas with a copper flashing and then silver plating inside-and-out. Take a look inside the instrument, and you will see silver. This is the most effective way to prevent red rot, and an instrument that stays cleaner than instruments that are raw brass inside.

I find the instrument to be profoundly responsive and easy-to-play, remarkably consistent in response and intonation throughout the entire instrument, with very light and quick valves, and a York-like tone quality that I would describe as a dark core of sound surrounded by a clear edge. The tuba has reference rings cut into the upper valve slides, so that the slides can be pulled to BBb length. When the stop arm linkage is moved to the other side of the stop arm, the instrument becomes a fully-functional BBb tuba where actuating the thumb rotor gives you a great pedal C, and thumb-2 is a clean B-natural, making this both a fully-chromatic CC or BBb tuba. This is accomplished merely by pulling the upper slides, removing one screw and reinstalling the screw, which can literally be accomplished in less than one minute. In the 40+ years that I have been playing tuba, this is the most flexible and agile tuba I’ve ever played. If this is the sort of 4/4 CC that you’ve been seeking, feel free to call or e-mail and discuss making this instrument yours. With mouthpiece and MTS hard case………………………………………………………$15,000.00



Stofer #1 through #9 have sold, and #10 and #11 are now in process.

When building the #6 Stofer CC tuba I made slight changes to the bracing around the main tuning slide and lower 4th valve circuit, resulting in a very lively sound, full of overtones, with consistent response and hassle-free intonation. These changes are now incorporated into all Stofer tubas.

The Stofer CC comes in an MTS case, and I also provide a Cronkhite bag and Stofer-Geib Mouthpiece for it, all offered as a complete package for $15,000.00. A trial period of up to two weeks is standard, and motor freight shipping is included at no extra charge.

Please feel free to call Lee to discuss the Stofer CC tuba!


Josef Lidl LFB-651-5GRB F-tuba

Josef Lidl LFB-651-5GRB F-tuba, serial number 150355, lacquered, 4+1 rotors, .708″ – .745″ graduated bore, 15 7/8″ bell diameter,left-hand 2nd slide 

trigger, nickel-silver valve casings, slide tubes, bell rim and trim, rose brass leadpipe, miniball rotor linkage, adjustable thumb ring, hand-engraved bell,

with pro-quality gig bag.

This beautiful-voiced F-tuba is large-enough for orchestral use, but has the agility and response to be a wonderful solo instrument as well.  The most-heard

comments from players at the Great Plains and Midwest Regional Conferences this year was that 1) the sound was very clean and 2) that the upper register

was “effortless.”  This new F-tuba from Josef Lidl embodies everything I’ve ever wanted in an F-tuba – not too large, but large-enough, a beautiful, captivating

sound, very good intonation and a tuba that is mechanically solid and reliable.  The top-loader gig bag is well-designed and attractive.  I’d be proud to play it anywhere!……….$6,750.00