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Hello All,

I haven't heard much about Cerveny F tubas, has anyone heard anything, or have had first hand experience with one of these horns?





Thank you for your feedback,

Jason

I've owned one for about a year and a half now. Great small tuba, and really fun and easy to play. Low register is solid, and intonation is fine.

Should also.mention mine is the small 653-5 model. I tried a larger 6 valve one at Dillons last year...liked the sound but the intonation wasn't great.

Any more questions, let us know. There are several of us with these tubas!

Thanks Bort!

That's the exact model that I had my eye on. I know it's a 3/4 horn, but how would rate it's projection? I just recently just purchased a B&S PT 20 CC Tuba, so I am looking a for a *college budget friendly* F tuba that can I use for medium to large sized orchestras, brass quintets and solos.

I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Projection in a large group my one concern. Not because its not loud enough or can't be heard, but because its a small tuba and takes a bit of work to make it work. I think its similar to the 3/4 Yamaha F in that you can push pretty hard to a point, and then you have it maxed out (based on limited experience with the Yamaha). A tuba this size just has a different weight of sound than a larger F tuba by design -- that is, it is what it is meant to be, and it does that well.

That said, I have used mine in band and orchestra, and it worked just fine. Quintet and solos would be perfect, and it would be a good small tuba to supplement your PT20.

Build quality is excellent, the valves and linkages are great! The compact size and light weight make it really easy to carry around.

The 653's rock! They have a slightly bigger feel and sound than the 621's.
Somehow this (and the MW 182) were able to get right so many of the things so many other rotary F tubas didn't- intonation, clarity, ease of play, low range,...

I played one of Ferguson's goldbrass F's and really liked it. I was looking for something else so I didn't buy it. The sample I played was in the same sonic category as my Alexander.

tclements wrote:I played one of Ferguson's goldbrass F's and really liked it. I was looking for something else so I didn't buy it. The sample I played was in the same sonic category as my Alexander.

TOTALLY forgot there's a gold brass version of this tuba. Bet that's sweet!

@Bort. Sweet - EXACTLY the sound of that Cerveny.

These 653/753 are OK tubas for the money, but I think the linkages have problems. The throw is too long, the springs are too tight, and the bumpers are bouncy. I've had that adjusted on all the Cerveny instruments I've bought, and it's improved them immensely. Cost: about $200.

Also, the low C on this little F can be poor, just like a B&S. I've solved it on one by acoustically sleeving the tuning slide, first with plastic to test, then with a brass tube. Both worked about the same, and the low F was fine after. The 4th rotor expands into a too-large tuning slide tube. There's another thread here where I showed how to fix it:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=41660&hilit=sleeving+cerveny" target="_blank

Kanstul has about 6 early production 3/4 size piston F tubas left, to which he's adding tuning triggers. These will most likely sell for about the same price as a 753, but without case.

Best,

Ferguson

Here is another thread from a few years ago, lots of info and comments on the 653: viewtopic.php?t=23236. The search function can also provide a lot more threads on this particular model.

FWIW, I think this horn is fantastic for a first F, or last F. The low range on mine ROCKS. Basically a point-and-shoot horn. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.