FS: Mack 421 CC Tuba $2,500 SOLD

[DanClouse]

For sale is my Mack Brass 421 CC. I bought this horn as my main quintet horn about 5 months before the pandemic. While the gigging was good, this horn delivered very well. It's a true 3/4 CC tuba, not 3/4 of a CC tuba. The scale is good, the sound is very good for a horn this size (thank the bigger bell) and it has a full chromatic register with the 5th valve. This isn't a general purpose horn, but for quintet work, it's pretty great because it gives you the low register of a C with the lightness and agility of an F.

I'm selling because our landlord has decided to move back into our house and we need to drop everything as fast as possible and move. I don't play quintet as much as I did 2.5 years ago, so the specialty instruments are going out the door.

The silver is in good shape (not new shape), the slides and valves all move freely, the case is in good shape (the wheelies are surprising well designed and have held up), and it's ready to play.

This horn is loosely based on the Yamaha 421, but has a bigger bell and 5th valve, which is a game changer. I found that it works with a variety of different mouthpieces to produce different affects. The Bobo Solo gives it an F tuba edge, a Helleberg provides powerful core, and a bowl-shaped mouthpiece gives it a warmer more diffuse sound. They don't seem to impact the intonation.

Horn is located in Durham, NC, not far from the Tuba Exchange. I have a large office space where you can try it out, or I'm willing to meet partway for serious offers. I'm willing to ship under duress.

Pics here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/ ... sp=sharing

[eupho]

Hi: I am a euphonium specialist and before COVID I played tuba(621 CC) in a regular quintet. The group disbanded due to moves and nothing since. I also played some small orchestra gigs and sat in with some community bands conducted by friends. Would the 421 work in a community group? In one that I sit in with I am in a 3 person section with a 186 Bb and a Cerveny 681. I had a 4/4 BBb but need to down-size. I'd appreciate your input. Do you have any video of your 421 in quintet?

Thanks.
Rob

[MikeMason]

I can see this being a very useful utility horn on the cheap. I put the Mack 16’ bell on a real yam621f. Very happy. I use my c mouthpiece for quintet and am pleased with the sound, clarity, and facility I get. 621 variants have probably been heard by more brass quintet audience members than any other. Canadian, Boston and chestnut come to mind but I bet their are may more. Go for it!

[eupho]

I attempted to email you via the address on your website but it bounced back.

[DanClouse]

@eupho - I don't have a website. Just PM me if you want. It's not a "full-sized" tuba, so it might feel a little small for a community band. It's great for small groups though, especially quintet. I also found practicing on it at home to be enjoyable.

[circusboy]

@eupho

I used to have the Yamaha 621 CC. I really loved it for its size, clarity and intonation. As others say: great for solo, chamber, jazz combo, quint. If this community band is playing real band and/or orchestral music, I'm afraid you could get lost next to the 186s. If you must downsize, maybe find a good Piggy or PT-4 or something? Also, do you really want to change keys?

[eupho]

I have been playing euphonium and tuba(in all keys) for 50 years. I known what I am doing.

[circusboy]

You asked a question to a community of people, eupho. I answered with the intention of being helpful. I had no way of knowing of your apparently vast experience and knowledge (other than what a 421/621 sounds like). Your reply feels unnecessarily censorious.

I've been playing for 30 years and am still challenged by changing instrument keys. When it comes to tuba playing, I'll happily admit that I don't know what I'm doing. I play for fun and enjoy following the discussions on this forum. Every now and then I feel that I have something to contribute that might add something or help someone. I'll henceforth cease responding to any of your questions. Forgive me.

[eupho]

My apologies, and I do appreciate your taking time to respond to my post. I respect your 30 years of playing. My frustration with my situation sometimes gets the best of me. When I read your reply I had just played a concert with the upper level band that I play in. Although I did notice some small improvements I was still in frustration mode and I hope you will accept my apology for offending you.

[circusboy]

I appreciate this, eupho. Accepted.

And I'm not sure whether to apologize to DanClouse for the hijacked thread or to accept his gratitude for keeping his listing bumped to the top!

[eupho]

LOL, I am sure that he appreciates the bump!

[The Brute Squad]

Would the 421 work in a community group? In one that I sit in with I am in a 3 person section with a 186 Bb and a Cerveny 681.

I bought the 421 a few months ago mostly for a practice horn (because Schlipf mutes don't work well on my main CC) and for doing Tuba Christmas and other things of that nature.

I took it to an orchestra rehearsal shortly after buying it to test it out (we were playing both Tchaik's and Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliets). It held up surprisingly well until we got to the extreme high dynamics (mostly in Death of Tybalt and Romeo at Juliet's Grave).

I think it would be fine for your community band playing unless it's a large group and you play completely open air (ie. no band shell or other structure to direct sound).

[DanClouse]

Bump