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Some of you may know that I'm going to be testing out the Cerveny 653-5I F tuba

In doing some research, many people are describing it as a wonderful little horn...which is why I am going to give it a shot. In fact, it is being described to me as (as long as it happens to be a good cerveny...I don't know how consistant they are yet) compareable to the firebird! Of course, I've played a firebird for a bit, so I'll have to judge it myself...

ANYWAY, in looking up information about this Cerveny, it is listed as a student model on some sites.

My question is, what exactly makes something a "student" horn vs. a "Professional" horn??

Obviously, a good horn plays in tune and hopefully has only a few or no trouble notes. So if you have two horns that both fill these descriptions as a good horn, how is one "professional" and another a student model.??

(this is purely a speculation sorta post.......I'm not an idiot or anything...i think... )

An interesting question!

In the UK, Besson compensated tubas were considered professional and non-compensated as student models.

However, have no real idea what the difference would be for German/Czech tubas - except to speculate that it may be simply a matter of the buyer at which it is aimed?

Jonathan "who will also be interested in any definitive answer"

bloke wrote:"Student" models are generally lower-priced. These are the tubas that you sell to me.

"Professional" models are generally higher-priced. These are the tubas that I sell to you.

HAHAH,

That still doesn't answer my question. lol

I know a lot of students who play professional horns. I also know a number of professionals, particularly doublers and jazz musicians, who make money regularly on "student" horns.
What's in a name??
P.S. Martin=Warlike

and of course, we all need money!

Some makers work(ed) from a modular production principle: Miraphone, old B&S, Cerveny. To some degree also Besson/B&H before the new ownership.

This implies that in some model lines the student instruments have the same acoustical design as the pro-level instruments.

The student instruments generally are/were lighter from having fewer valves, no compensating system, fewer bow guards, and/or fewer valves.

Student instruments from especially Cerveny may be all brass, whereas the pro-level instruments may involve more costly alloys like gold brass and nickel silver.

Some trumpet makers would make their student level bells in a two-piece technique, whereas the pro-level instruments are made in a more costly one-piece technique.

Some makers like GDR-era B&S would let the Weltklang student line be assembled by their apprentices and journeymen, whereas the B&S pro-line was assembled by master craftsmen.

Student instruments are made lightweight with less costs leading to a shorter lifespan.

Some student instruments are very good also for pro players, whereas some are so lightly built, that they will break up even at moderate dynamic levels, when played by pro players with a full air support.

Some makers say, that less than 10% of their pro-level instruments actually end up being played by pro’s. The bulk is played by affluent amateurs.

Many makers and retailers earn much more from producing and selling student level instruments than from the pro-level ditto due the much larger turnover.

Still it is important for the business to make and sell the pro-lines. Customers tend to prefer the makers and outlets, which can boast serving the professional players.

Carolus Observantius

tubashaman wrote:I agree with Karl Marx.

Commie.

"Student" in this case means "inexpensive enough for you parents to consider buying for your kid." It's sales BS only.

When a manufacturer brings out a student instrument, that usually means that it's price-targeted to the school market. Often they are smaller, and have fewer features, but that's the result of the price point they are trying to meet.

In the old days, "student" models were made to be 1.) rugged, and 2.) easier to play. Thus, my vintage Olds Ambassador straight tenor trombone, with its .485/.500 dual-bore slide and quality construction. It's a student model, but it does what it does as well as any pro model.

The difference between S-series Miraphones and the so-called pro models are a bit of engraving around the valves and one or two other cosmetic details. Those affect price only.

Rick "who would never let a 'student' designation get in the way of enjoying a good instrument" Denney

I agree. The King Tempo trumpet was the same thing, just a Super 20 with the thumb ring removed and nickel plated. Some like the Yammy 4-series or 5-series instruments for the same reasons. But you're right: the archtype "student" instruments that outperformed a lot of other company's "pro" models were the Olds Ambassador series, including cornets, trumpet, bones, etc.

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