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The subject of St. Pete tubas seems to come up regularly. Just search the archives. I think you can probably do better for the money.

The tuba shown on eBay is a Chinese model. Iit's difficult to say what you'd be getting were you to bid on the one shown. Quality on these things ranges from execrable to decent.

Why not go to the "For Sale" section on this BBS and see who's offering a nice used horn? In the long run, I think your money will go farther....

How about a used miraphone (or mirafone for for that matter)? They play great and retain their value and are always turning over. I'm guessing that the allora is a Cervany and I would certainly recommend a used cervany for the same reasons that I would recommend a miraphone. However, cervany's are less consistant than miraphones and somewhat harder to turn over on the used market. I would think that if you state your budget and what you're looking for you will get a flood of emails and some will contain some really good horns. Peace. ASG

ArnoldGottlieb wrote:... I'm guessing that the allora is a Cervany and I would certainly recommend a used cervany for the same reasons that I would recommend a miraphone. However, cervany's are less consistant than miraphones and somewhat harder to turn over on the used market. ...

That is a reasonable guess, since so many stencil brand horns have been made by Cerveny, but I believe that the Allora tubas are actually Chinese. Allora seems to be a brand name used by The Brasswind for their "house" brand instruments. Different Allora instruments are made by different manufacturers, but the tubas are Chinese. That doesn't mean that they aren't worth consideration.

buyer beware
Bill Pritchard

Lew, now that my brain is partially working I'd guess that you're right about the allora horns. I remember when I lived in East Germany that just about every horn was either Cervany or B&S but none of them had any indication on the horn, it was just something "everybody" knew. I remember an italian sounding stencil, it was something like Allora but maybe not exactly that (although maybe so). So, even though I've heard great things about the Woodwind and Brasswind, I would never recommend a horn that I've never played, but I'd stand behind what I said about actual Cervanys (and miraf(ph)ones).

ArnoldGottlieb wrote:I remember an italian sounding stencil, it was something like Allora but maybe not exactly that (although maybe so). .....I'd stand behind what I said about actual Cervanys (and miraf(ph)ones).

That name you were trying to think of might be 'Sonora'. It was a stencil made by B & S in the 70's..... same as my Karl Wunderlich. Great horns.... at least I think so.

Lew wrote:

ArnoldGottlieb wrote:... I'm guessing that the allora is a Cervany and I would certainly recommend a used cervany for the same reasons that I would recommend a miraphone. However, cervany's are less consistant than miraphones and somewhat harder to turn over on the used market. ...

That is a reasonable guess, since so many stencil brand horns have been made by Cerveny, but I believe that the Allora tubas are actually Chinese. Allora seems to be a brand name used by The Brasswind for their "house" brand instruments. Different Allora instruments are made by different manufacturers, but the tubas are Chinese. That doesn't mean that they aren't worth consideration.

Allora tubas are produced and marketed by DY Music, Beijing Deyong (Beijing, China).

andrada wrote:I think the subject of Chinese tubas will never stop coming up.

(Long Rant deleted)

Apologies for the rant!

The subject came up this time because someone mentioned Allora tubas, and thought that they were Cerveny stencils. It was just mentioned that they are, in fact, Chinese. Nobody deprecated these tubas, in fact several buyers of these have commented on how much they liked them, and suggseted buying one over a St. Pete.

There is no doubt that Chinese manufacturing capabilities have been improving in many areas in which they were weak in the past, and they have been strong in many other areas. Some of the companies making brass instruments have begun to make respectable stuff, like many of their stringed instruments have been for some time now. I expect them to change the competitive landscape in this area at some point.

[quote]That name you were trying to think of might be 'Sonora'. It was a stencil made by B & S in the 70's..... same as my Karl Wunderlich. Great horns.... at least I think so.

Dan you are right, although I have a hard time being able to remember things that happen while I'm drinking Waldschlossen. As I remember I played my 4 valve "Weltklang" F and the band's Sonora BBb. I payed 350 DM for that F in 1999. I also remember that I owe you an email. ASG
p.s. sure wish I had that F now.......

scottstephenson wrote: i really like it for it's nice dark tone, and portabillity but, it has not really stood up to the punishment it's reiceved. also i've got a question. i've got an old besson BBb but it's set up in european style. i don't know the sireial number. any info would help.

I assume by "European style" you mean 3-top + 1 side piston valve. Very traditionally British, actually. One advantage is it allows a larger 4th valve bore to be easily accomodated.

Regardless, try the following serial number finder:

http://www.musicgroup.com/Instruments/S ... umbers.htm

scottstephenson wrote:well it say's on this site that i have to have my serial.
you woulden't happen to know where that might be located on the insturment would you?

Take a peek at the valve casings or the back of the bell near where it attaches to the top bow. I've also seen one Besson with the SN on the mouthpiece receiver.

I had the opportunity to play on a St. Pete for about a semester during HS before a new band director traded it for a 3/4 jupiter (couldn't figure that one out) and I really liked the tone quality of it, however we did have a lot of trouble with the valves. I didn't have too much trouble with it getting banged up but I was also given strict instructions to treat it like china and followed those instructions as best as I could.
Amy