TubeNet

looks like somebody converted the clockwork-spring with S-links into ball-bearings.

Looks like being done by an amateur without doing the effort of making it look good.

oedipoes wrote:looks like somebody converted the clockwork-spring with S-links into ball-bearings.

Looks like being done by an amateur without doing the effort of making it look good.

Those are Dubro #4-40 spherical ball links with plain threaded rod. They could have put some small tubing over the threaded rod to make it a little prettier but it should be quite robust the way it is.

To the original poster.... without having a feel for the size of the horn... just judging from the proportions, I would guess that it's a CC tuba.

I'll second the CC guess. I can't be sure either but the top bow (by the bell) looks short for a BBb.

Where can I pick up a set (4) of those links? Don't want to jack the thread but I thought I'd ask.

Mike-ICR wrote:I'll second the CC guess. I can't be sure either but the top bow (by the bell) looks short for a BBb.

Where can I pick up a set (4) of those links? Don't want to jack the thread but I thought I'd ask.

You can buy Dubro stuff on-line or just about any hobby shop that sells components for radio-controlled racing. The ones in the picture are plastic and are self threading when a #4-40 threaded rod is turned in. Dubro also makes a 'turnbuckle' to use with those links. It has right hand threads on one end and left hand threads on the other end. One on the horn, you can raise or lower the paddles with a few turns with a wrench that is supplied by Dubro. Pretty slick!

There is no scale, but the only Cerveny I know of that had a vertical main slide is the 601, even going back to the vintage of this instrument, which I suspect was early 80's, based on the engraving. Both Bb and C versions had the vertical slide. The instrument I owned (new in 1984) was like the current 686, which has a horizontal slide in both Bb and C versions. Someone else may remember other models better, but I don't remember a non-601 with a vertical slide. These were also marketed as "Sanders" instruments by Custom Music, with the "Sanders" label engraved on a plate that was then stuck to the middle of this engraving using two-sided tape. Their instruments had ball link conversions also, but using flimsy 2-56 threaded rod.

The 4/4 Cervenys from the old days had a 15.5" bell, and they now have a 17" bell. The 5/4 Cerveny has a 20" bell, or close to it, but I don't recall if it used to be smaller. Bores are and were .795" and .835", respectively. You might be able to get a measurement out of the seller, but I doubt it will clarify the issue of pitch.

The instrument was not ever equipped with clockwork linkage. My Bb model from that vintage was identical to this one, right down to the Dubro ball-link conversion that I built myself. But I covered the threaded rod with brass tubing to make it look a little nicer.

(Those ball links are not made for tubas and are not available as kits for tubas. But they are easy enough to make for those who are a little handy. Here's an article: http://www.rickdenney.com/valve_linkages.htm)

Rick "who can't find his old mid-80's Custom brochure, but it's somewhere" Denney

Award goes to Rick Denney. That is indeed a Cerveny CCB 601-4 CC tuba with the 17.75" bell flair. The 19-7/8" flair that the current CCB601 tuba has, is a recent (past 1-2 decades) change.

Tuba Id.
by tim.willhelm » Thu Oct 15, 2009 10:56 am

Identifying this tuba's Id, without also delving into its Ego and Super Ego, would only provide a partial understanding of it complete psyche.

I've been watching this listing, and messaged the seller thru eBay re: the bell diameter. Two days later, no reply. I make a point of asking at least one question when I'm seriously interested in buying something on eBay. If I get no answer, I don't bid.

Eric "who is also turned off by no return policy" L.

Anyone who has bid on this tuba or has been in contact with the seller, please contact me either by PM or email.

Thank you,

Ed Jones

I have reason to suspect that this tuba is the property of the University of Texas at Arlington and was reported missing, presumed stolen in the spring of 2009. I have tried with the help of some friends to discretly verify the serial number and the exact location of the tuba to no avail. I reported the auction to Ebay and directly contacted the seller with my suspicions but have not heard back from either. The University Police have been notified but no action has been taken as of yet.

If anyone on this forum has had contact with the seller please take a minute and contact me. Also, if anyone has any advice on how stop the auction and locate the seller so I may verify the identity of the tuba, I am all ears.

Thanks in advance to all.

Rick Denney wrote: The instrument was not ever equipped with clockwork linkage. My Bb model from that vintage was identical to this one, right down to the Dubro ball-link conversion that I built myself. But I covered the threaded rod with brass tubing to make it look a little nicer.

I remember Tubatinker had a Cerveny kaiser with clockwork springs.
Even now, cervenys are available with clockwork springs.
Maybe not the 601/701...

Wim

the Id has become an Odessey. Or Oddity.

oedipoes wrote:

Rick Denney wrote:I remember Tubatinker had a Cerveny kaiser with clockwork springs.
Even now, cervenys are available with clockwork springs.
Maybe not the 601/701...

Wim

Sure. But not this one. It has conventional factory-quality wound springs, and I seriously doubt anyone who made that linkage conversion (which wasn't done with appearance in mind) would have been the one to make an OEM conversion to wound springs.

I think the assumption was that clockwork springs go with the round finger-buttons, but that is of course not the case.

Rick "hoping Ed finds justice" Denney