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I am thinking about getting my first bass this summer. I would like to know what the opinions are on the following horns before I try them.

Cerveny 653 F tuba
St. Petersburg 206 Eb tuba

They are both swell horns. I almost feel that the 653 might be a bit more solid (build).

What's your big horn (if you have one)?

goodsn4 wrote:I am thinking about getting my first bass this summer. I would like to know what the opinions are on the following horns before I try them.

Cerveny 653 F tuba
St. Petersburg 206 Eb tuba

These are both fine instruments for a first bass tuba. Good luck being able to A-B them at the same location, though.

My main ax is a Miraphone 186 CC. I mainly just do community band and ensemble playing. Just wanting to get a good bass tuba to learn and play a little solo lit on. I plan on taking a trip to the east coast to Dillons and to Tuba Exchange to play the horns this summer and determine which one suits me as a player. I am wanting to know what others think of these models as a first bass tuba since they are of similar in price.

I have never played either of the tubas that you mentioned. But, while you are on the east coast, also stop at Baltimore Brass Company. It is a great shop. They are a TUBENET sponsor.

I'd skip BOTH of these instruments. Stick with yamaha, B&S or Meinl Weston.

Maybe, just maybe, if one could give it a good test before buying, one of those Chinese "Fletcher clones" could be worth considering, especially if price is a consideration.

For something nice for a bit more, Randy Westmoreland has a nice looking York Eefer for sale.

Or - even a Besson / Boosey and Hawkes Imperial (or later) 4 valve comper could be good and not cost an arm and leg. I recently had a bit of a play on a B&S 3+1 Eb and think it would be well worth considering.

Good luck and have fun.

I wouldn't bother with a 19" bell Eb if one's "big horn" were a 186. I vote for the 653 over the St.Pete to maximize (not equalize ) the difference.

tclements wrote:I'd skip BOTH of these instruments. Stick with yamaha, B&S or Meinl Weston.

In order-
Yamaha- expensive!
B&S- expensive, funny sound!
MW- expensive, funny sound, and wonky intonation (some of them at least)!

tclements wrote:I'd skip BOTH of these instruments. Stick with yamaha, B&S or Meinl Weston.

does miraphone get your blessing?

I think if you already have a CC, then an F would compliment better. At least that has been my conclusion and reason for switching from Eb to F.

Try a B&S F tuba before deciding - I have been bewitched with the glorious sound of my PT-15 ever since I first blew. Mind you Cerveny are good tubas and worth checking out if you are on a tighter budget.

Sorry, Yes the Mirafones are excellent instruments. My preference is for the 181, but both the Firebird & the new Petrushka are good choices.

If you don't mind top-action valves, there are usually one or two good-condition used Yamaha EEb YEB-321 floating around there. Good bang for the buck, and versatile. IMHO, a VERY good "first" bass tuba.

Bob Kolada wrote:I wouldn't bother with a 19" bell Eb if one's "big horn" were a 186. I vote for the 653 over the St.Pete to maximize (not equalize ) the difference.

tclements wrote:I'd skip BOTH of these instruments. Stick with yamaha, B&S or Meinl Weston.

In order-
Yamaha- expensive!
B&S- expensive, funny sound!
MW- expensive, funny sound, and wonky intonation (some of them at least)!

Mark wrote:

To be fair, bob & jonesbrass alone have made some effort to answer the question, in 13 replies. The original poster has evidently done his research and lined up two bass tubas that have gotten exceptionally favorable reviews at their price point, but unfortunately it appears that few here actually have any experience with that St Petersburg?

an older Meinl Weston 45F will do just fine, just practice practice practice.

I played the st pete Eb at Midwest .seemed like something was wrong with it.couple of really weird notes...

Uncle Buck wrote:If you don't mind top-action valves, there are usually one or two good-condition used Yamaha EEb YEB-321 floating around there. Good bang for the buck, and versatile. IMHO, a VERY good "first" bass tuba.

Exactly what I want for my first bass. Played one once. Awesome low end, excellent intonation, etc.

Donn wrote:

Mark wrote:

To be fair, bob & jonesbrass alone have made some effort to answer the question, in 13 replies. The original poster has evidently done his research and lined up two bass tubas that have gotten exceptionally favorable reviews at their price point, but unfortunately it appears that few here actually have any experience with that St Petersburg?

For the OP: Since you are playing a CC, the F makes more sense.

Also, while it may sometimes be difficult to sift through the opinions on this board there are a few whose opinions should always be given extra weight and respect. Tony is one of those.

Mark wrote:

Donn wrote:

Mark wrote:

To be fair, bob & jonesbrass alone have made some effort to answer the question, in 13 replies. The original poster has evidently done his research and lined up two bass tubas that have gotten exceptionally favorable reviews at their price point, but unfortunately it appears that few here actually have any experience with that St Petersburg?

For the OP: Since you are playing a CC, the F makes more sense.

Also, while it may sometimes be difficult to sift through the opinions on this board there are a few whose opinions should always be given extra weight and respect. Tony is one of those.

woot

btw, thanks for clarifying about the Miraphones Tony

I am not really an E-flat player so my opinions are weighted towards F tubas. There are some really good e-flat instruments out there, but I haven't played them. Many great players prefer e-flat so please don't let MY preference for F's deter you from trying e-flat tubas. My F tuba preferences are for Yamaha (I have 2, the small one and the big one). These have great low notes, even the small one. The Gronitz'. I JUST sold my PF to Russ Dickman, because I am ordering a Hirshbrunner CC and can use the dabloons. I still have the Gronitz FZ and I love the warm sound of these instruments. For many years, I owned a Mirafone 181 6-valve, goldbrass. I have a former student who has this horn now. Both the Firebird & the Petrushka are EXCELLENT F's. I have never played a PT that really grabbed me, but I have played many that were wonderful instruments. Just look at the list of players that play PT's. It'll be a who's who of tuba players. Recently, I played a Kodiak that I really liked, but there were some mechanical difficulties with the horn. One was a matter of preference, but I LOVED the sound of the instrument. For beauty of sound, there is NOTHING like an Alexander, especially the gold brass flavor, but the low notes (D-B) are AWFUL! I have always maintained "buy as much tuba as you can afford." When it comes to tubas (with some rare exceptions) you get what you pay for. Ask your teacher, or the local pro. Play everything you can get your hands on. Good luck with your search and let us know what you end up purchasing.