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I'm looking for a Mirafone 186 CC 5u, and found Joe Stanko's Cerveny 681 in the For Sale Forum. My initial impression is that the Cerveny might be a copy of the Mirafone in style and wrap. But has anyone played both instruments? Does the Cerveny play in tune? Does it feel the same (or at least very similar)?

Thanks,
George

I really wouldn't call that Cerveny a Mirafone copy, more of an apples / oranges kind of thing (albeit not like comparing a 186 to a 2341.)
I really like the way good Cerveny's play. At Lee University, we got one from Lee Stofer and the couple of times I blew on it I honestly liked it more than their S186's, although it may have been a bit smaller. The big issue with Cerveny tubas, and why I would never recommend one to a school, is that they are much more fragile than a comparable Mirafone or Meinl Weston (you could consider an MW 25.)
Why not email Joe and see what he has to say about the horn - you may wind up loving it!
Now, a 60's-70's 186's vs. almost anything else, that's a different story.

In a slugfest, I imagine that the 186 would probably come out on top as it's built of slightly thicker metal than the Cerveny and so would dent less quickly.

Of course, a good bari sax could reduce both to scrap metal in nothing flat.

bloke wrote:

MartyNeilan wrote:I really wouldn't call that Cerveny a Mirafone copy...(albeit not like comparing a 186 to a 2341.)

...and 'Mirafone' spelled backwards is 'Enofarim'... Coincidence?

OldsRecording wrote:

bloke wrote:

MartyNeilan wrote:I really wouldn't call that Cerveny a Mirafone copy...(albeit not like comparing a 186 to a 2341.)

...and 'Mirafone' spelled backwards is 'Enofarim'... Coincidence? :shock:

I don't think so!

I agree with the apples and oranges crowd.

Along with any other difference, the Cerveny's 5th valve is shorter (just like another 1st valve).