TubeNet

What are some good CC tubas comparable to the Getzen CB-50? I have been doing a lot of research and know the Yamaha 621, and Miraphone 184 are very popular. Are there any more suggestions for tiny CC tubas for me to explore?

Cerveny "Piggys" are pretty small CC tubas, but they pack a lot of power and edge if they're played right. B&S also makes a 4/4 PT-606P that's pretty nice. I'm sure there are others out there, but those are the ones that pop up in my head besides the ones that you already mentioned.

Also consider the 3/4 Rudolph Meinl. I owned one for a while. It was nice. The Cerveny Piggy is deceiving. It is not actually small. It has a valve bore, large plumbing and bell throat that approximates the proportions of an Alexander CC tuba. The big plumbing is is wrapped so that the bell does not stand as tall as the Alexander's bell. I once played a borrowed Piggy in a full orchestra and had no trouble being heard.

I've got a tiny Weril CC. Not a loud tuba, but a very full, open tone for the size.

Having just purchased and refurbished a Cerveny piggy.....and completely engrossed in what can only be called "Piggy Fever"......ummm yeah.....try a pig! They are a ton of fun to play. The sound is wonderful and they are just bad ***. As I found out, finding one used is pretty difficult. Seems like owners are holding onto these horns. I've heard the new 5 valve model is awesome, but is only available as a special order in the US (I checked).

Randy is right. They are pretty deceiving. While very small physically, they play huge.

bloke wrote:I suppose almost no one has played one of these...

http://www.meinlweston.com/melton-meinl ... 0-237.html

I think ? BAC Horn Doctor (probably someone else) had one on display at a regional TEC in 2011. It was fun and easy to play. Reminded me of the hojo front piston horn. Nice tuba

Hi-
Go to Elkhart and try out the 3/4 CC tuba Divk Barth has--16" bell, .730/.750 bore, 4 piston or 4 piston & 1 rotor--model J-834 / J-835.
Mark

brendanige wrote:What are some good CC tubas comparable to the Getzen CB-50? I have been doing a lot of research and know the Yamaha 621, and Miraphone 184 are very popular. Are there any more suggestions for tiny CC tubas for me to explore?

If you are looking for something very similar to the CB-50, you might want to look at slightly-larger-than-3/4 horns... The most comparable bore/bell size matches are going to be the Sam Gnagey 4/4 CCs made from King 2341 BBb bodies and York "Monster" Eb bells and the Conn 5XJ series.

--T. J.

I'm always struck at the relatively few smaller CCs available at tuba conference events and the fact that despite their limited number they typical sit unplayed.

I've yet to see a MW3450 or Yamaha 661 in the flesh. Would love to compare them to a MW2000, and 3/4 Rudy. I think those are more or less the gold standards of smaller tubas that can fill a lot of roles.

I've not played a Miraphone 184/5 that tickled my fancy, and can't really fall in love with the Getzen and similar style horns even though they really are perfectly good instruments. Both of those assessments are far more likely a commentary on how I play and my tastes than those instruments. A good piggy is very special but also sonically much bigger than I think you are looking for. The Yamaha 621 is also just ok. The smaller PTs such as the PT3 can be quite good but you must decide that you are ok with the intonation.

Not sure if I've answered a question or just gave out unsolicited opinions.

There's also this horn (the"piglet"), briefly discussed on here-
http://www.dillonmusic.com/p-1305-cerve ... valve.aspx" target="_blank

Almost nothing is better than a Rudy 3/4... very, very adaptable 3/4... but can play like a 4/4... or smaller, or soloistic... or...

Piggs are 4/4s... designed for opera pits originally. Great when you find a great one, but not small.

661s are also not small, and they practically play themselves... you barely have to share a room with them.

But, there's nothing wrong with a CB-50 if you've got one... also a versatile horn!

J.c.S.

Pretty happy with my mw2145.also owned a conn 2j that rocked for its size.

I would have to give nods to the MW 3450 and the Rudy 3/4. Until I recently played the MW, the 3/4 Rudy might have been the absolute best tuba I've ever played regardless of size or key. The MW was a great player as well. I would be happy with either.

I did own a piggy for a brief period. It was terrible. After reading all of the praise that they are getting on here, maybe I just had a dud?

The Rudy's can be kinda hard to track down, but definitely worth a look.

J

Getting back to the OP's original question, I don't think many of the horns mentioned above can be considered comparable, which I'm thinking he means similar, to the Getzen CB-50. Some may be similar in overall size, but they do not play or sound anything like a CB-50. Having played a CB-50 and having had previously owned a 52J and a Gnagey 4/4 tuba, I would say they are all similar or comparable in size, bore, feel and how they play and sound. I haven't had much experience on the Rudy tubas. Having also owned a Piggy, I would say it is nothing like a CB-50 in any in regard. Now owning a 3450, I would say that is nothing like a CB-50 either.

My son used my Gnagey this past summer while he was home from Texas. When we played together in a community band, we would switch off between the Gnagey and the 3450. We both liked both tubas, but they blew, felt and sounded completely different. My son is now back in TX where he plays his 56J. My Gnagey found a new home with a former student of mine. I'm using the 3450 for most everything, but everything ain't what it used to be. It's been slow around here. But......, here isn't going to be here for too much longer.

I'm surprised that only one person mentioned the Conn 2J. I would also plug the 3J as a good small horn. Either can be had for a reasonable price too!

Mark mentioned the BMB 3/4 tuba in CC. It's a good tuba as well.

In rotary valve horns, you've been encourage to look at the 184 and the 3/4 Rudy. The Rudy is certainly a good horn but has an unusual configuration. It seems so tall that it us more like a skinny 4/4 to me. The 184 used to be the small CC rotary of choice for Roger Bobo and Chuck Daellenbach.

Just depends on what you like. Go play some tubas and make your own opinions known.

As the old joke goes, the best and the worst tubas you will ever play are both Cerveny Piggys.

The rudy 3/4 are great, but area bit larger than the 184/2j and other "3/4" horns. They seem similar in size to a 186

Kudos to the Conn 2J... it's phenomenal too!

Try oneofthe Kanstul 902 Serries. They have a 4 vavle and a 4v + 1 piston model, both in C. 16" bell. I love mine as it is a great americian made horn.

Douglas Plander
Kanstul 902-4C

I play a Getzen G50 and with my experience the PT606 plays very similar. I would say that the PT606 plays a little easier in the middle and higher ranges. To me it felt smaller but still had some power behind it when needed. The Kanstul 902 also plays very similar. I would not recommend a ceverny piggy personally. I've never played on one that has ever left me "wowed". Although I know people who love them though so you might just have to try it