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Anybody traveled to Hradec Kralove and/or Kraslice (Cerveny factory)?

I always intended to go when I lived in Germany, but never did. If you get the chance, please take pics for us. I've been to Alexander, Rudy Meinl, and Miraphone, though. Interesting to note the differences in the "process" of making instruments at those locations. Alex and Rudy used a lot more handwork than Miraphone, and I would expect that Cerveny is very similar to Miraphone with the hydraulic dies and presses, etc.
BTW- I just received my Cerveny CFB-653 from the factory. THE BEST F tuba I've ever played. Practically plays itself, including the low register. Fit and finish were awesome, too.

Great to hear about you new Cerveny. I want to play this one.



Czech out the valve adjustments. They list it as a "Dutchman's Printing Press"

Cool. That's the 6-valve version of my horn. I haven't played the 6-banger, but I have heard good things about that model as well. I think they have one of those in stock at the USA distributor for Cerveny. Matt @ Dillon's could probably help you with that one.
If you decide to go for it, I highly recommend getting the miniball linkage- mine is VERY quick and VERY quiet.

(Czech out . . . LOL)

Alex C wrote:I want to play this one.

...and I want to play this one at Kralice:

http://new.photos.yahoo.com/semarcus1/p ... 151272/223

Yes, I'll have to bring a buddy to handle the valves while I position myself at the mouthpiece, because they're too far apart for one person to manage simultaneously...

jonesbrass wrote:BTW- I just received my Cerveny CFB-653 from the factory. THE BEST F tuba I've ever played. Practically plays itself, including the low register. Fit and finish were awesome, too.

jonesbrass wrote:Cool. That's the 6-valve version of my horn.

What's the horn's size comparable to? I would look seriously at the horn if it is a 5/4 F. The 653 is listed as a smaller model on the website.

I would consider my horn a 3/4 by today's standards, and the one you were looking at has the same size bell and bore. I also believe the main tubing is the same. I would say this horn is about the same size as a Yamaha 621, a bit bigger than the Melton 182.
What kind of situations would you be playing the F in? For most applications, I think this is a perfect horn. If you want to support the Chicago Symphony or New York Phil brass sections with it, you might want something a little larger. How many of us EVER will play that kind of gig, though? For chamber music (brass quintet, T-E quartet, small orchestra, solo, etc.) this is perfect for me.

I have a 621 and am very happy with it and will never sell it except to the original owner. Occasionally, I need something bigger in an F tuba but mainly I was infatuated with the Dutchman's Printing Press.

I am hoping to take a day trip up to the Cerveny factory when we visit our daughter in Prague in late June. I'll take pictures if it works out. We were in Prague in July two years ago, but the factory closes for vacation every July.

cktuba wrote:Here is the Cerveny F I would like to try...

http://www.cerveny.biz/tuben/f_tuben/cfb_661_6m.php



Listing at $5584 at Dillon Music... anyone know how these play?

I would think Matt Walters would have a very good idea of how they play (I've been wondering the same thing for some time now) ...