So......
I am offering up for sale a very special F tuba. This is the same model of horn that Walter Hilgers used on his early recordings and modeled his "small" Meinl Weston F tuba after. This is a Cerveny Harmonia F tuba with a quint valve that is approximately 30-35 years old. The bore is .709" (larger than many smaller F tubas with a .689") and the bell flare is 14.17" - about the same size as a YFB621 bell but with a much larger throat. Height is a modest 35.43", but still taller than many 3/4 F tubas. The 5th valve is operated by the left thumb and lowers the horn a flat halfstep. The 6th valve - the right thumb operated quint valve - is located past the main slide and is of significantly larger bore. With the quint valve kicked in, this horn becomes a low register monster on low BBb and below, and pedal tones are absolutely unnecessary unless desired. The main tuning slide uses a hiddden reverse slide, similar to some trumpets and trombones, to ensure the largest possible airflow.
Unlike the newer horns, this has a two piece brass leadpipe and not a two piece nickle leadpipe. The sound if very warm and rich and does not break up easily.
I am classifying this horn as a 4/4 and not a 3/4 because of the bell throat, quint valve, and overall sound. When played in a recital back to back with my 2145, this horn consistently outprojected the 2145, and I was using the same mouthpiece on both horns. This tuba can fit in a quintet environmet if they are looking for a clear focused sound and not an earth mover, but it is very much at home on solos from Gregson to Hindy to VW (not to mention Bach cello suites) and orchestral F works from Berlioz to the Brahms Requiem to the Mahler 1 solo. Unlike the Apollo, 45SLP, 822F, and similar horns, this is a true F tuba with an F tuba sound and not a downsized CC.
Intonation:
Every note on this horn can be played perfectly in tune with a little practice. With 6 valves, the low register combinations are limitless, and the large bore quint valve really opens up low Bb and below. The slots are wide and notes are easily lipped, but here are a few fingerings I have worked out that virtually eliminate all lipping:
Using 3 and 5-1-2 puts sharp 1-2 and 2-3 combinations perfectly in tune for the middle and low D's and C#'s. Top line A works best 1-2, Ab 2-3, and G 4 (which centers very easily). The neighboring F# can be playing in perfect tune at either 1-2 or 5-4, making for a smooth transition to the 4th valve G. E above the staff comes in spot on at 12 and Eb at 23; otherwise using the traditional 2 and 1 fingerings they need to be pushed up a little. Interestingly enough, A, Ab, G and F# at the bottom of the staff come in best at 1-2, 2-3, 1-3, and 2-4 despite the extra valves.
This is a rotory F, but the medium low range is still very workable once you get used to it. D, Db, and C, and B below the staff are in tune at 3, 5-1-2, 4, and 5-4 and can be played very strongly with a little practice. That low C in the VW cadenza can be hit as hard as you want it without fear of it coming out - there are no "ghost" notes on this horn.
This is an older horn with the clockwork springs on the first 5 valves. The springs were just replaced with genuine factory springs several months ago. Each of these valves has the thumbscrew adjustment to dial in the exact amount of tension desired. The valves are very fast and quiet when kept lubed - there it virtually no clanking at all. About 90% of the lacquer is gone but the horn can be polished up nicely if desired; right now a patina is forming on it.
The following mods have been done on this horn: A previous owner cut the main slide about 1/2". I cut the 1st slide about 3/8" and that slide never, ever, needs to be moved. An additional brace was professionally added to the 4th valve tubing to solidify low register 4th valve notes. I soldered a nickle onto the left hand 5th valve paddle to make it easier to access; but don't worry as I will not be adding an additional 5 cents to the selling price to cover it.
The horn includes an G&W Baer F stainless steel F mouthpiece with a modified rim to fit mere mortals. It also includes an excellent condition custom-fit Altieri gigbag with backpack straps. I will also include a homemade fiberboard straight mute that works very well.
The horn is currently located in Hermitage, TN (near Nashville). I would prefer not to ship the horn but I can ship via USPS priority mail with delivery confirmation and insurance. I recently shipped a bass trombone (in only a gigbag) this way and had no problems whatsoever. the receipient described it as "bombproof packaging". I have already been accumulating the bubble wrap
I am asking $2600 (plus shipping) for all this and think it is well worth it; you can try it and decide for yourself.
Pic taken before additional brace:
next to a MW 2145 CC
and 
at the same time.
