Opinions of first bass tuba

[T. J. Ricer]

I am thinking about getting my first bass this summer. I would like to know what the opinions are on the following horns before I try them.

Cerveny 653 F tuba
St. Petersburg 206 Eb tuba

These are both fine instruments for a first bass tuba. Good luck being able to A-B them at the same location, though.

I'm pretty sure Tuba Exchange carries both of these instruments, but you should definitely call ahead to check availability.

I would suggest that a good used Yamaha YEB-321 Eb might be the most easily accessible bass tuba to begin on and would be fine for solo lit/quintet/high excerpts. . . (and you're likely to be able find one cheaper than the Cerveny or the St. Pete)

As always, YMMV and it's just my opinion,
T. J.

[T. J. Ricer]

Sorry about the redundancy, a couple of people posted about the YEB-321 in the time it took me to write my post!

[zoobie]

I would vote for the Cerveny over the St Pete. I think the Cerveny is the best bang for your buck in build quality, intonation and it has the sound I want and could afford.
If you can afford the Miraphone Firebird or the Petruschuka depending on whether you want piston or rotary valves they are great !!!

[Toobist]

Sorry about the redundancy, a couple of people posted about the YEB-321 in the time it took me to write my post!

I know of a least one pro who switched back to the 321 after playing F for a long, long time. I'll throw in my vote with the YEB-321. If you can get a hold of one of these with a 5th valve (or maybe order the kit for the 5th valve if you can find it), I'd say buy it and keep it for good.

[bort]

I would vote for the Cerveny over the St Pete. I think the Cerveny is the best bang for your buck in build quality, intonation and it has the sound I want and could afford.
If you can afford the Miraphone Firebird or the Petruschuka depending on whether you want piston or rotary valves they are great !!!

I've got a Cerveny 653 coming to me. Hoping my experience is the same as others... and I think it will be!

[peter birch]

let's have some sense here, your first tuba is like your first car or your first boy/girlfriend or your first house, it is important but it will, likely as not,not be the one you end up with for the rest of your life. You will play some old beat up models that will help you to develop your skills (this bit excludes the boy/girlfriend), you will find some that are definitely not for you, and eventually one will find you and that is one you will keep.
when I was a boy the best instrument was the boosey Imperial, I had a beat up SA triumphonic, then came the sovereigns, I got an old imperial to play, and the day I could afford my own, I got the Courtois (buffet crampon bought them and discontinued the tubas).
play what you've got and save up for what you want - and it will change, aks for advice, but bear in mind that lots of people will have great ideas about how to spend your money.

[jonesbrass]

I would vote for the Cerveny over the St Pete. I think the Cerveny is the best bang for your buck in build quality, intonation and it has the sound I want and could afford.
If you can afford the Miraphone Firebird or the Petruschuka depending on whether you want piston or rotary valves they are great !!!

I've got a Cerveny 653 coming to me. Hoping my experience is the same as others... and I think it will be!

Brand snobbery aside, the Cerveny 653 must be played to be believed. You'll love it.