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I've played on a cerveny 681 for 4 yrs now, it has gotten me into various honor bands. I'm able to play in tune with it, and the valves work fine for me.

However, if i was to get another cerveny i'd get a 686, just cuz of the larger bell and such. But none the less i've been happy with my horn. The metal is thin so be wear of that. the horn I havei s over 10 yrs old, and has lots and lots of dings but the valves work fine, lil noisy but thats it.

If I had a choice tho, i'd go for miraphone, which is what I plan on getting for college.

I believe new cervenys run arrrroooounnnndddd 3,000, plus minus a bit for case etc.. but there abouts.. i think 2800 w/o case sounds right..

Of the three instruments you have listed I would go with the Yamaha. These tend to have good intonation and tone, and are big enough to play in most any ensemble. The reputation for the Sanders has gone downhill. I have a great mid-1980's Sanders CC which I am trying to sell, but the quality of Sanders being made today is getting in the way of people willing to try my horn. I'd say the Yamaha is a good bet.

Randy

Of the three instruments you have listed I would go with the Yamaha. These tend to have good intonation and tone, and are big enough to play in most any ensemble. The reputation for the Sanders has gone downhill. I have a great mid-1980's Sanders CC which I am trying to sell, but the quality of Sanders being made today is getting in the way of people willing to try my horn. I'd say the Yamaha is a good bet.

Randy

I can recommend the Yamaha of the three instruments you list as I am currently playing a 641 as my bigger orchestra horn while I save up to switch back to cc again.

The Yamaha is a bigger bore horn which will mean that it will not be as nimble playing as a smaller bore horn and will also make the player work a bit more for clean slurs. It also requires more air fed slowly to get the full sound out of the lower range. The valves are slower reacting which also is a complaint of many as well.

The advantage is that this horn is well made and sturdy, has very good intonation and will really produce a rich full sound when you fill it up. If you can practice to become proficient with the fundamentals on the 641 you can easily bounce back and forth to other horns with ease. It is kind of like taking your drivers practice with a big SUV and then being able to whip through the actual test with acres to spare when you drive a mustang.

Should your son decide to give up playing the tuba after high school, you will come closer to getting your money back out of the Cerveny. The Yamaha would be the next choice. Both are descent playing horns. Forget the Sanders.

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If you think your son is going to be serious about playing, go with a CC over a BBb.

Everyone who settles for a Cerveny wants something else. A common complaint is the low range. I have two Yamahas. I still want a Mirafone. Not instead of, but in addition to.

manatee wrote:Everyone who settles for a Cerveny wants something else. A common complaint is the low range. I have two Yamahas. I still want a Mirafone. Not instead of, but in addition to.

My wife would have my head if I brought another horn home!
I have a Cerveny 683 BBb and I love it. Maybe I'm just easy to please, but it plays well in tune, good sound and balance for the groups I'm in, and folks keep asking me back. Gotta handle it with care, but I would anyway.

"Maybe I'm just easy to please, but it plays well in tune, good sound and balance for the groups I'm in, and folks keep asking me back."

It doesn't sound to me as if you are "just easy to please." If a horn does all that, those are pretty high standards it is meeting. What more could one ask?