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Greetings Fellow Tubenet-ers,

I have for sale a 1988 Amati Kraslice model 68 CC Tuba for $2250 OBO. I am the second owner of this tuba and have kept in the same condition from when I purchased it. I have decided to sell this tuba after coming to the conclusion that I prefer piston valve tubas. The rotors on this tuba are ball and socket which require some maintenance to keep working smoothly, but no more than what is required of any instrument.

I have found it incredibly easy to play in tune with this horn. The only notes that requrie the use of alternate fingerings are E and Eb in the staff. There are some notes below pedal G that may be better served with alternate fingerings but I have found that lipping it down is just easier.

There are some small cosmetic issues. A few dents and scratches but they are almost exclusively along the bottom bow, where those types of damages are nearly unavoidable. These damages do not effect the sound or intonation of the horn.

This tuba comes with a hardshell case with two foam inserts. The foam inserts can be moved around to provide more support. I will also include a Conn-Helleberg 7B mouthpiece. This is same model mouthpiece that I have used with this horn, and with great success!

Specs:
Make: Amati Kraslice (Cerveny stencil)
Model: 68
Key: C
Valves: 4
Type: Rotor (Ball and Socket)
Bore: 21 mm
Bell Diameter: 16"
Height: 36"
Mouthpiece: Conn-Helleberg 7B
Case: Hardshell

Here are some pictures of the horn:https://drive.google.com/folderview?id= ... sp=sharing

If there is someone in possession of a 4P or 4P + 1R CC tuba, I would happily consider a trade. I also have a Yamaha YBB-105 for sale, which I will post an ad for soon. If someone had a Daryl Smith model Kalison or a BMB, I would happily trade both of my tubas for either of those horns.

I believe that I have covered everything in this posting, but if you have any questions about the horn please feel free to reply to this post. If you would like to make an offer on this horn please send me a direct message on this site. If you would like to play the horn, I would gladly arrange to meet you on the campus of Oakland University. Other than that, thanks for looking!

-Buckles

What a nice tuba for an affordable price!

I am looking for a quintet tuba. Is this instrument small enough for that setting?

Thank you for your kind words, Mojo!

Eupho, I would say that this tuba would work very well in a quintet setting! I did some work in a tuba quartet with it and it suited me fine. I have had some people tell me that this horn is 3/4 size but I personally find it to be along the lines of a compact 4/4. I hope that answers your question!

-Aaron

Bump!

This tuba will be in the East Lansing, MI Feb 19th-24th!

eupho wrote:I am looking for a quintet tuba. Is this instrument small enough for that setting?

I played one of these through my undergrad work. It is dimensionally almost identical to an older Mirafone 186, with a slightly wider bore. Terrific quintet horn and, like the 186, a good all-around tuba with a beautiful solo sound and very few intonation issues..

Thank you for the kind words, gentlemen!

is Amati good company?

ndh3425 wrote:is Amati good company?

If my memory serves correctly, then Amati Kraslice is like a student line by Cerveny or used to be:?: From what I can recall, the horns are very similar in both build and design and the main difference is in the quality of the brass. Amati horns pop up here and the other usual places fairly often, but that doesn't mean they are bad horns. Usually in this price range, they represent great starter horns with at least decent pitch and tone, often remarkably good pitch and tone.

Regardless of whether or not my memory is accurate with the Cerveny link, you won't be disappointed with the loss of your money in exchange for one.

I believe Kraslice and Hradec Kralove refer to plants in different towns with different tooling and craftspeople, both Czech, both Cerveny. (And if I'm wrong about this, please weigh in so I can learn something.) I've played a few of these - they play bigger than they look, great sound, and the quality has been excellent, and with less variability than the horns from the other plant. My only knock has always been with the 4th valve slide - hard to get to and too short to be very useful. But in light of this price that could be easily abided or corrected. Bob Pallansch did modifications that worked admirably well, and I'm sure others have too.

jeopardymaster wrote:I believe Kraslice and Hradec Kralove refer to plants in different towns with different tooling and craftspeople, both Czech, both Cerveny. (And if I'm wrong about this, please weigh in so I can learn something.) I've played a few of these - they play bigger than they look, great sound, and the quality has been excellent, and with less variability than the horns from the other plant. My only knock has always been with the 4th valve slide - hard to get to and too short to be very useful. But in light of this price that could be easily abided or corrected. Bob Pallansch did modifications that worked admirably well, and I'm sure others have too.

You are correct about the plant locations but all of the large (and maybe all period) rotary valve instruments are built in the Cerveny plant at Hradec Kralove. Typically (but not always) the 4xx models (brass not nickel silver tuning slides) are engraved "Amati Kraslice". Otherwise identical to the Cerveny models. In other words, 481 = Amati where 681, 781, etc. = Cerveny basically the same instrument with different trim levels.

In my experience, these Cerveny/Amati ACB 481; CCB 681 tubas are nice for the price. I've heard it said that the round/square paddle (older) models are better than the teardrop (newer) paddle models. I think that change coincided with hydraulically blown bows as opposed to sheet metal/brazed and formed bows but might be mistaken there.

And yes, this looks like a great tuba at a great price. (just picked up my not as pretty one and played for a bit).

To help the short 4th slide issue, swap the 3rd and 4th slides. It won't give you all the length you might need, but I was able to work with it.