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I am looking at getting an F to learn on and I am looking at either the Cerveny 651 or the TubaMM F. Both are similar bores and bell diameters. The Cerveny can come with 4 or 5 valves at a price of $3000 and $4300 respectively. The TubaMM has 6 valves at a price of $2800. Has anyone played both and have any feedback about them with their opinions?

I say the Cerveny.

If no other reason, you say a "first F"... so you'll likely want to upgrade later on. The Cerveny is a more known quantity, and it'll be easier to sell later on. It's easy to sell a known tuba. It's a pain in the *** to sell something that is "just like" something else or "really good for a..."

That plus the Cervenys are really nice tubas, too.

Cerveny 653

The 5 valver I played this past summer was the best horn I have ever played, even though I suck at rotary tubas and have never seriously played F tuba. Better than any Miraphone or MW I have played even! Matt Walters will tell you the scoop on these.

http://www.dillonmusic.com/HeleoCart/Pr ... 3-5PX.aspx
This is the horn you want*. Personally, I find the stock 5 valver to be slightly awkward and would love to try a 4 valver and a 5 valver with the 5th on the big side of the main slide but whatever..... FWIW, my small bass tuba is a 3 valve King Eb....
Rusk York F's are also extremely awesome, and I think the 621 F's are badass as well (if you can physically tolerate the valve angle!).
*Carl, Brooke,... back me up on this!

Seriously, I cannot think of a better "first F" and really it will probably stay with you for a loooong time....!

Bob Kolada wrote:Cerveny 653

The 5 valver I played this past summer was the best horn I have ever played, even though I suck at rotary tubas and have never seriously played F tuba. Better than any Miraphone or MW I have played even! Matt Walters will tell you the scoop on these.

http://www.dillonmusic.com/HeleoCart/Pr ... 3-5PX.aspx
This is the horn you want*. Personally, I find the stock 5 valver to be slightly awkward and would love to try a 4 valver and a 5 valver with the 5th on the big side of the main slide but whatever..... FWIW, my small bass tuba is a 3 valve King Eb....
Rusk York F's are also extremely awesome, and I think the 621 F's are badass as well (if you can physically tolerate the valve angle!).
*Carl, Brooke,... back me up on this!

Seriously, I cannot think of a better "first F" and really it will probably stay with you for a loooong time....!

Bob is right. You CANNOT go wrong with this horn as a first F tuba. It is NOT a crappy 1st horn either. It is a horn that is great to learn on, open easy sound, great tone, and sounds a lot bigger than it looks. Plus, when you're ready to then "upgrade" it may not be for a new F but for a larger F in which case you could keep this in your arsenal. Seriously, this is a must try horn.

It IS kinda small, as in short and kinda stubby. I don't mind how the paddles and 5th paddle are associated but I have smaller hands, so not awkward for me. The main slide tends to stick out below the horn as well, which some players may not like, but I don't mind because the horn is light and small so it sits easily on my lap with slide in between my legs (the slide is LONG too, which is great for tuning when it gets crazy hot).

Dillon Music sells them. Contact Matt Walters there and see what he has to say. For a great horn AND the inexpensive cost, you cannot be sorry..hopefully.

pierso20 wrote:

Bob Kolada wrote:Cerveny 653

The 5 valver I played this past summer was the best horn I have ever played, even though I suck at rotary tubas and have never seriously played F tuba. Better than any Miraphone or MW I have played even! Matt Walters will tell you the scoop on these.

http://www.dillonmusic.com/HeleoCart/Pr ... 3-5PX.aspx
This is the horn you want*. Personally, I find the stock 5 valver to be slightly awkward and would love to try a 4 valver and a 5 valver with the 5th on the big side of the main slide but whatever..... FWIW, my small bass tuba is a 3 valve King Eb....
Rusk York F's are also extremely awesome, and I think the 621 F's are badass as well (if you can physically tolerate the valve angle!).
*Carl, Brooke,... back me up on this!

Seriously, I cannot think of a better "first F" and really it will probably stay with you for a loooong time....!

Bob is right. You CANNOT go wrong with this horn as a first F tuba. It is NOT a crappy 1st horn either. It is a horn that is great to learn on, open easy sound, great tone, and sounds a lot bigger than it looks. Plus, when you're ready to then "upgrade" it may not be for a new F but for a larger F in which case you could keep this in your arsenal. Seriously, this is a must try horn.

It IS kinda small, as in short and kinda stubby. I don't mind how the paddles and 5th paddle are associated but I have smaller hands, so not awkward for me. The main slide tends to stick out below the horn as well, which some players may not like, but I don't mind because the horn is light and small so it sits easily on my lap with slide in between my legs (the slide is LONG too, which is great for tuning when it gets crazy hot).

Dillon Music sells them. Contact Matt Walters there and see what he has to say. For a great horn AND the inexpensive cost, you cannot be sorry..hopefully.

Absolutely agree. A TERRIFIC playing F tuba, 5 valves, won't break the bank. Agree with Bob and Brooke's comments for the most part. It looks small . . . it does not sound small. One of the nicest things about it is the low range. I posted a duet a while back on which I used the 653 on both parts - I don't remember anyone saying anything about the low range lacking oomph or sounding "thin." FWIW, Michael Moore of the Atlanta Symphony also liked my little Cerveny F as well. I don't think you can find a better "first F" without spending a whole lot more cash . . .