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I bought an 'almost new' St. Pete 202N last Thanksgiving. I like it. I also have a Mirafone 186 5V BBb, a Marzan 4 piston BBb, and a King 2341. I think the St. Pete can 'hold it's own' along side any of the other horns. Contrary to some of the bad publicity the St. Pete got from players and repairmen a few years back, this one has very smooth rotors and great fitting slides. Intonation is very good... as good (or better) than any of the other horns I have. Don't run out and order one just 'cause I said so. Go play some of them first!

I was told by someone at the Tuba Exchange that the 204? (larger belled model) does not play as well as the 202. Pity, I'd think the larger bell is of course somewhat darker and put out a little more sound. They have an Eb, are there any plans for a CC?

Mojo workin' wrote:They have an Eb, are there any plans for a CC?

I played a prototype a couple years back -- I think a couple other people on here have as well. I thought it played very well, though I'm sure it was a hand built horn that had been going through revisions in both Russia and the US.

evan wrote:

Mojo workin' wrote:They have an Eb, are there any plans for a CC?

I played a prototype a couple years back -- I think a couple other people on here have as well. I thought it played very well, though I'm sure it was a hand built horn that had been going through revisions in both Russia and the US.

I belive they had one at TMEA.
Not sure though, I only played the Eb they had at the stand.

I have a 202N, and I like it a lot. Sounds great. Despite it's small size, it gives a nice, full sound. I haven't used it much since I got my CC tuba, but it's a great horn. Slides and valves are very nice.

Mattheus wrote:I was wondering if they have gotten better over the yearsThanks

Better? Yes. Good enough for me to say buy, NO.


1. The first run had some SERIOUS valve issues. Are these issues resolved? NO, but they are much better. Still extremely loud, extremely slow, and very inconsistent.

2. The first run had some interesting tuning, ESPECIALLY in the high range. This is inherent in 202's because of the bore being grossly misaligned to the horns size. It is still there.

3. The nickel was very poor in the first run. This has actually gotten considerably better. The nickel on the last two new horns I have seen is considerably better.


All in all, you would be better buying an Allora, if you want to spend that little money. Buy the Allora and get it cut to Concert pitch by a brass guy. You'd be glad you did as far as I am concerned.


Wes "dunno which is worse, the salesman, or what he is selling" Pendergrass

The horns from Russia had horrible valves. Vince wouldn't even sell'em until they promised to fix the valves. I know they keep a check on the quality (they called me to help find something to check end play). Vince has been pushing fit and finish to the factory constantly. The original CC's that the factory put together had a really flat 3rd partial "G" and were stuffy. I took a couple of of prototypes and found that the bore expanded too rapidly though the 2nd and 3rd bows. I changed those and came up with a horn that had a sharp 3rd partial. I split the difference most people really liked the horn,a couple didn't ,but when Gene Pokorny played it and liked it the push was on to get the factory to reproduce it. Vince got his repairman Mike Morse to and a 5th valve to it and they had some trouble getting it to play as well as the 4 valve prototype but I think they have gotten most of the bugs worked out of it and I hear that some horns are in process. People have a hard time grasping the idea that sometimes tubing that expands too rapidly in certain areas can make a horn play stuffy. Thats why Sam Gnagey horns , which are essentionaly the same as the Conn 5X J's play so much better than the Conns. No telling how much better the 45slp's with a little bit of work.
mike

http://www.stpetemusic.ru/catalog.php?lang=en

Is the orange tuba with nickel accents actually a factory option?

Tubaing wrote:http://www.stpetemusic.ru/catalog.php?lang=en

Is the orange tuba with nickel accents actually a factory option?

Is that no supposed to be red brass - just poorly represented?

Is that no supposed to be red brass

Orange. Special Ulster protestant model.