Does anyone have any suggestions for a new horn?

iiipopes · Post by **iiipopes** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 1:43 pm

Do your research on prior threads on this forum, TubaNews, and Brass Forum. This topic has been hashed before, and it all boils down to taking someone with you, playing as many horns as possible of all reputable makers, and then deciding which one fits you, whether it be a Besson like mine, a 5/4 Meinl-Weston, or a Buescher fiberglass sousaphone.

If you like the Cerveny, then that is the horn for you.

I don't mean to sound crass, but this same question keeps popping up about every three months or so, with the same discussion, the same input from everyone from bloke on down, and the thread then trails off the same way, with the points above brought up as various places in various contexts. And no two people who have ever posted this question have ever ended up playing the same instrument.

Now, as a refinement to the question: I am a (director or other person in charge of writing the check) I have a budget of ($$), I have been told to buy (x) number of tubas for (type of ensemble, age group, or setting) and I don't know what is out there, especially as available in (region of the country), and what do I get? That is a question that needs to be posted.

By going on about Cerveny, as others have gone on about MW or any other brand, you have already answered your question and are just looking for confirmation. That is not bad, because of the relative investment a tuba requires. But consider rephrasing the question as, "I'm really impressed with (x) tuba for (y) application, but I would like to hear more experiences with (z) people who have played it, to see if there are any quirks or issues I should be aware or wary of.

Good luck. Cerveny, in all of its incarnations, is one of the oldest names in tuba building, arguably the inventor of rotary valves, and almost the tuba itself, but for a guy named Moritz and his partner who beat them to it by about 10 years. They are still respected, and have their own personality.

quinterbourne · Post by **quinterbourne** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 2:57 pm

Here's some options, but TRY BEFORE YOU BUY!

Amatis are cheap
http://www.dillonmusic.com/amati_tubas/amati_tubas.html

couple here:
http://www.dillonmusic.com/Used_Instrum ... ed%20Tubas

these might be already sold:
http://www.brasstrader.com/index2.php?d ... nParent=20
http://www.brasstrader.com/index2.php?d ... nParent=20

Look through these:
http://netinstruments.com/a.php?a=32697

Look through these:
http://63.126.125.94/cgi-bin/classified ... =headlines

Check out the Amati and Daylan
http://www.wwbw.com/C-Tubas-d5936.music ... 0&x=15&y=1

Don't forget...
viewforum.php?f=4

or...
http://www.ibowtie.com/brassforum/viewf ... 7cb3876da1

and don't forget...
http://www.ebay.com/

Have fun... you have a lot of work ahead of you!

Kevin Hendrick · Post by **Kevin Hendrick** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 3:39 pm

TheEngineer wrote:Does anyone know about the Walter Sear horn? I'm still trying to find some info about it, I think it's a version/copy of the 693 but I'm not finding any conclusive evidence.

It would be nice if they had a picture of it! Is it a "piggy" type? If so, it's likely a 603 (.835" bore, small bell) (the 693's a BBb). If it's a taller horn, it may be like mine -- 17.75" bell, a little over 39" high, also .835" bore (looks something like a 686 main bugle with a 601 valve section ... also resembles a slightly-smaller version of a 601). For reference, I bought mine (new) from Mr. Sear in 1974, and it still plays well!

Chuck(G) · Post by **Chuck(G)** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 5:34 pm

I know of someone who's considering selling their older East German BBb Schneider stencil (B&S manufactured). A very fine specimen.

PM if you're interested.

adam0408 · Post by **adam0408** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 5:41 am

Don't be too quick to look past piston horns. I favored rotaries heavily until I decided to purchase my own. I now have a piston Tuba. Try em all and pick one based on sound, not on valve configuration. Just something to consider.

iiipopes · Post by **iiipopes** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 10:24 am

Now, then, thanks for giving more details. If it were just the angle of your leadpipe, then Matt at Dillon Music could sort that out for you. But with intonation issues, yes, you probably need a new horn. I say if you are happy with what you played, then that is the horn for you, since it seems to fit all of your criteria: fit, sound, price, etc.