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I'm looking for comments from anyone who has actually owned or played a Cerveny 683-4MR. For those unfamiliar with the model, this is the "Arion/Opera" 3/4 size tuba with a .787" bore and a 14" bell. It appears to be very compact but I'm curious as to how that bell/bore combo affects the overall sound volume and the horn's low range capacity.

I'm not familiar with this horn. What key is it in?

I have not played one myself but I played in a community band with a person who had one. To my ears it sounded great...plenty of volume and low end for a compact horn, but then again, this fellow is a very good player. Like all Cervenys though, it was a dent magnet.

pierso20 wrote:I'm not familiar with this horn. What key is it in?

BBb. It's sometimes called the BBb "Piggy" but I thinks that this is a case of "close but no cigar".

Hi,

The Cerveneys are good horns but I think its important to know what this horn will be used for. Are you looking for an "all purpose" horn or something for quintet or small groups? I like the Cervenys and have played this horn. It isn't a horn that I would want for large ensemble playing. I'd recommend playing on the specific horn prior to purchase. I purchased a "piggy" several years ago that had severe intonation problems. I hope I don't sound "down" on the Cervenys because I think they are nice horns. Hope this helps. Dave

My purpose for getting one of these would indeed be for smaller ensemble work.

The deal is that I currently own a Josef Lidl LBB-701, a very good 3/4 size BBb horn with a 16.5" bell and a .720 bore. I've lent it to a pro-player friend who needed it for some pit work (string bass/tuba book). He's fallen in love with it and now wants to buy it. These horns are very hard to come by in the US these days and sell for over $4k new, if you can even snag one (I've had mine for four years a paid a lot less for it). If I sell it to him, I'll lose access to a smaller horn and need to replace it wih something. It's hard to fathom the prices these days for these horns - even the comparable Weril and Jupiter models, which are hardly bargains these days. WWBW is asking $4700 for the Cerveny, and that's without a case.

Anyway, reading what I've written looks like I'm trying to talk myself out of selling my Lidl. I have this strong feeling that, if I do so, I'll regret it. I should probably just let him go through the pleasure of tuba shopping for himself.

I wouldn't blame you a bit. Especially if you really like the horn. There's not guarantee that you would find one that you like as well. Best wishes. Dave