1930s Cerveny 5 valve F tuba similar to Alex 155; $2600

[MartyNeilan]

I have done some more tweaking and this horn plays great! You may someday want to have the hybrid linkage redone with a standard spiral spring configuration, but this sounds like an Alex in a big hall. Tuning is surprisingly good too (or as good as the player.)
2600 dollars cash firm, in the Nashville area.

This is a 1930's Cerveny F tuba with a nearly identical bell and body profile to the Alexander 155. 15" bell with garland and a little over 37" tall. The only difference is the bore is about a half mm smaller than the comparable Alex bore of .728 and seems to tighten up the intonation considerably. The low range plays well and there are no "bad" notes; this is still a rotary valve F tuba but plays better than many. Intonation is better than my previous Cerveny Harmonia which was shorter and had a smaller bell. With the two step fifth valve and a readily accessible 4th valve slide I have not found the need for a 6th valve. Takes a standard / American shank mouthpiece. I have primarily been using the Baer F (not included, as I also use it as the "quintet" mouthpiece on my big horn.) Include an original San Francisco Reunion Blues gigbag.

From the previous owner Mark Jones: "It started life as a 4 valve horn, and a fifth '2+3' v added. I bought it and had the rotors turned, converted from clockspring to duo bro, had Pollard water keys added, valve bearings squeezed, etc. The clockspring rings are still there but empty...they connect the finger spatulas. 15" bell. Horn size of an Alex F with garland. Horn dates to, I believe mid-late 1930's. Tight, great pitch, low range decent, beautiful sound."

I have since tweaked and slightly reconfigured the linkage for smoother and quieter performance. I have enjoyed playing the Vaughan Williams and various horn concerti during the year I have owned it. I was going to play Mahler 1 on it, but the university-sponsored orchestra I was playing with folded.

I have read of rumors of one of the top apprentices from Alexander absconding with a factory notebook; perhaps this tuba was the result of that.

$2600 cash, local pickup in the greater Nashville area preferred.

The horn could use a professional chemical cleaning, when I pulled the slides you could see some deposits. I find no signs of red rot. The valve linkage retrofit works after I made a few adjustments. There is also enough length in the leadpipe if you wanted to be a glutton for punishment and add a 6th valve.

Strengths: sings, projects, good intonation and low range, classic F tuba sound.
Weaknesses: doesn't play or sound like a contrabass tuba down low (It is what a true 4/4 F tuba used to be before horns like the 45SLP came out. This really is a copy of the classic Alexander F with the bore just a tad smaller (somewhere in the .687 to .709 range.) I don't think Cerveny makes a horn like it these days.

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[MartyNeilan]

Bump, this is my spring break week and I am willing to drive to sell.

[tylerferris1213]

VERY tempting, especially since I'm in Ohio.

[MartyNeilan]

Bump for a great traditional style F tuba that plays in tune and has an accessible low range.

[MartyNeilan]

Bumppppppppppp

[MartyNeilan]

I replaced the neoprene bumpers this afternoon, and the valves are -so- much better!

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[MartyNeilan]

Today I lapped and then polished the 5th valve slide. It does not stick anymore and now works smoothly. I did not take it to "trombone" level but it should suit all other needs.
I gave the horn a thorough bath and the amount of crud that kept coming and coming out was incredible. It seemed like I would never be done washing it. I have only put about 30 hours of face-time on this horn, so I don't know where it all came from.
There are still a few deposits inside here and there so a professional chem clean wouldn't hurt any but it is no longer urgent. Funny enough, the Pollard water keys work just fine now that all the gunk inside is gone

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[MartyNeilan]

Bump, $2600 cash firm in the Nashville TN area.
This horn plays GREAT!
Selling for financial reasons and because I don't have significant need for a bass tuba at this time.

[tylerferris1213]

It's quite a surprise that this hasn't sold yet. If I didn't have all my money tied up in projects, I'd buy this in a heartbeat.

[MartyNeilan]

It's quite a surprise that this hasn't sold yet. If I didn't have all my money tied up in projects, I'd buy this in a heartbeat.

I had pulled it from the market for a while because it sounds so darn good. But I don't have a consistent need for it and could use the cash instead right now.

[johnfuente]

Hi Marty.

I'm a Cerveny player from way back and live in Atlanta. If your horn is still for sale, I'd love to test play it sometime. Please let me know and we can make arrangements. I look forward to your response. Thanks! John

[MartyNeilan]

Hi Marty.

I'm a Cerveny player from way back and live in Atlanta. If your horn is still for sale, I'd love to test play it sometime. Please let me know and we can make arrangements. I look forward to your response. Thanks! John

It's still available. I am not in a.rush to sell but still only use my big horn regularly. Send me a PM and we can talk.