Page 1 of 1

Cerveny F Tuba

Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2004 2:51 pm
by Uncle Buck
Anybody know anything about this model? Obviously, a 4-valve F is going to have it's limitations, but does anybody know anything about the qualities of this model from about 15-20 years ago? Would this horn be worth adding a fifth valve, or on a tighter budget, a mechanism for adjusting the main tuning slide while playing?


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 45908&rd=1

Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2004 7:53 pm
by Contramark
I bought a Amati F tuba off of Ebay about 2 years ago. It was also 4 valves and obviously older than this one.

I wrote the cerveny factory and asked how much it would be to get a 5th valve kit, and the kit alone was over $1,000. That wasn't even counting how much it woul dhave cost for somone to install it.


It is at $1500 right now. If you need a good F tuba and you have $1500 to spare, i would recommend looking for a used Miraphone 180-5U. I bought a 180 because it had a fifth valve. i got it for $1600, and it served me well.

Than I saved saved saved and bought a MW 45slp.

Mark

Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2004 11:38 pm
by MartyNeilan
I am very happy with my small Cerveny F. Older and slightly smaller than the EBay one but overall similar. Not quite as easy to play as a Yamaha 621 but wonderful sound. Yeah the 5th partial is out but guess what ... I don't use it. 12 for the A, 23 for Ab, 4 for G; 12 does work for F#. All other intonation issues are very manageable. Feels funky around the low C but but still very useable once you get used to it. Horn is otherwise very responsive. Except for one bunghole, everyone who has heard it has loved it. Did I mention the wonderful sound?

P.S. I am sure many repairmen have "spare parts" lying around and could probably do a 5th valve for somewhere around a grand.

Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2004 12:30 pm
by Chuck(G)
Miah wrote:Here is a link to some of his stuff
http://www.yankelswarehouse.com/brasswinds.html
I have exchanged e-mail a few times with him but it is just not in the cards right now to buy another horn
Steve's a good egg--one of the locals here bought the Steyr BBb and it's a very nice horn for the money. The new owner's completely satisfied.

I'd pass on the Amati piston-valved stuff, though. Amati isn't known for its great pistons.

The Amati CC looks for all the world to be the Amati version of a Piggy. Probably not a bad deal for someone.

Cerveny F

Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2004 11:37 pm
by jmerring
I am the current owner of the horn in question (comments regarding it, precede this). It is on E-Bay (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... RK:MESE:IT). I bought it, thinking I would easily pick it up. I have been set straight; it would take me far too long to master an F, after 30+ years on BBb and CC. The horn has a very nice, typical small F sound.

If you would like to discuss this a little fuurther (hope); please contact me.

Jim

Posted: Sun Nov 28, 2004 10:33 am
by MaryAnn
About 18 months ago I played an Amati 4-rotary F tuba for an evning of chamber music (with about 8 horns....) It had clock springs. I was surprised at how well it played. It took me a little bit to get used to the lack of the 5th valve but it had a sweet sound and very reasonable intonation. I dont' know how that one would compare to the one on ebay, but that is my experience with Amati.
MA