TubeNet

I understand that one can safely order some higher end tubas, like Miraphone 191, 1291, without playing the individual horn that you're buying. How about consistency of Cervenys, like the 5-valve 681, 686, or 693?

Thanks for the excellent advice. (I wouldn't have thought of a $550 vs. $150 gig bag!)
My problem is that there is noplace really close to where I live that has a wide selection of tubas in stock. I have a 1982 Amati 681 4R BBb (Cerveny) that I like a lot . . It's in tune and has full, even sound over its whole range. I am looking for a horn that has all that plus big (and good) sound below the 2nd E natural . . . and, maybe, quieter valves. If I could get my horn with a 5th valve (the 686 5th valve has larger bore) I'd love it. . . and, maybe quieter valves. Another consideration is wieldyness. I've played a Cerveny 601, and it sounds great. . . but it's a big horn. Too big. What might you think of a "Piggy", the Cerveny 693?

If you can't try it yourself, buy it from someone who you'd trust their musical opinion (e.g., one of the TubeNet sponsors, one of the regular posting pros here, etc.). It won't be your own opinion, but it'll be a good starting point.

And don't worry *too* much -- if you buy a popular model (like a 186 or 188) and it doesn't work out for you, someone out there will want to buy it from you.

I bought my Neptune sight-unseen on eBay and spent numerous sleepless nights until it arrived. The "buy-it-now" price was just too good to be true. It turned out to be a great horn, so I was REALLY lucky, but I will never tempt fate like that again.

sailn2ba wrote: My problem is that there is noplace really close to where I live that has a wide selection of tubas in stock. I have a 1982 Amati 681 4R BBb (Cerveny) that I like a lot . . It's in tune and has full, even sound over its whole range. I am looking for a horn that has all that plus big (and good) sound below the 2nd E natural . . . and, maybe, quieter valves.

In person evaluation sounds like the thing, to me. If you just needed a tuba, then maybe we could say you can't go wrong with a Miraphone 186 - but you basically already have one, right? You need to know not only that the 191 you get is a good representative of the breed (and not the one that has been traded around all its life because it isn't), but also that it feels good in your hands and has the sound you're looking for.

If I had the money and motivation to be in that market, I'd be trying to reason with myself about the pluses and minuses of some cross country travel. It doesn't really cost so much, relative to the price of a premium tuba, and if nothing else you get to say "hand picked" when you post the for sale ad here later.

What I really can't be so sure about, is that I would reliably pick my life partner tuba from a few minutes playing in a strange room, but there are probably some ways to prepare for it. I'd want to have my own tuba on hand for comparison, but that would have some logistical implications.

Elephant wrote -

Is yours the original Neptune - the rotary one? Those are consistently excellent tubas! I do not care for many of the characteristics of the piston one.

It's the rotary horn. Some years ago I had tried both models at WWBW and didn't spend much time at all on the piston version. And I had done enough homework to learn that your assessment is well-accepted throughout our brothersisterhood. It wasn't a complete crapshoot by any measure. But still, I was plunking down $6000 on an unknown instrument. So I consider myself lucky. And yeah, it is a SWEET horn and I sure don't regret it!

What about buying a 191 sight unseen from a trusted dealer? I've heard than some sellers (Horn Guys come to mine) pre-test the tubas that they keep in stock, which should supposedly give you a better chance of getting a good one...

Anyone, please?

Waltski wrote:What about buying a 191 sight unseen from a trusted dealer? I've heard than some sellers (Horn Guys come to mine) pre-test the tubas that they keep in stock, which should supposedly give you a better chance of getting a good one...

New tubas tend to cost a lot of money, and it is likely that you are going to play it for a long time. (because of the cost)
So I would go and test-play it anyway, even if you have to travel a day or more.
You won't regret it afterwards.


Wim

One time when it is not possible to test play in advance of purchase is if you have a new tuba made customised to order. That was the case when I ordered my gold brass hand-made Melton 2040/5. I had 6 months awaiting delivery to find out if it would play as well as I hoped. As a safeguard Mark Carter* of Mr.Tuba personally tested at the factory to ensure it was fine before lacquering. All the same I was very relieved when I at last received to find out it is everything I had hoped. Without doubt the best Eb I've ever played!

* As the 2040/5 was designed by Melton/Meinl-Weston in collaboration with Mark Carter, he would know if it was up to standard.

I went with a friend one time to try out horns and played 2 mirafone 186, 5valve CC's. These horns were new and 1 digit apart in serial number. 1 was the best 186 I had ever played and 1 was maybe the worst TUBA I had ever played! I'm guessing that not all the pitch got cleaned of the bows from the bending process.