St Petersburg horns

[Rick Denney]

I'm not familiar with this make. Could I get a little feed back?
I'm only looking for generalities about the make, not details to the Nth degree...I've found an old 3 valver that I think may be a St Pete and was wondering if I was about the waste some bucks or not.

I've played several, and actually they do not play badly at all.

The issue with them is usually mechanical. The parts are not made with much quality control, and often don't fit properly or are very difficult to repair or replace if needed. Many of them (probably not one with three valves, though) have had the valve linkages replaced with something better.

The brass is reportedly very soft, so they require a good bit of care. I found the same thing with Cerveny instruments.

For the right price, they are a reasonable instrument for an adult to own. When they were being sold by the fellow in Germany, they were so cheap that many adults could buy them just for fun, knowing about their issues. When sold at a price similar what one might pay for, say, a VMI or a used Miraphone (or even a Dalyan), they are no longer a good deal, in my opinion.

I think they are too fragile and too unmaintainable for kids.

But at least they are real tubas, unlike some of the shiny brass tuba-like sculptures being sold on eBay.

Rick "who thinks St. Petes have a proper price, unlike some instruments that should not be expected to have any value at all" Denney

[Albertibass]

my tuba is a stpete,and for the most part has great tone, and is good sized. I got it for a good price, and yeah i feel it is the right tuba for where i am right now.

However, the rotors are loud and clanky, and that is what i dont like about it. I have become familiar with the valves, and over time, i guess i have adapted to move the valves with the least noise.

[TubaRay]

Good to see you back on TubeNet, Johnny. As for the St. Pete horns, I often call them(and several others) Miraphone wannabees. Since they are cheaper than Miraphone, they provide another option for those unwilling or unable to spend more money. I believe they are good playing tubas. Now, specifically about a three valve model, I have never seen one. I'd be interested in exploring.

Best of luck.

[ABQtuba]

I can second what others have said about the softness of St Pete brass and the quality of the rotors in the older horns. I've never seen a 3-valve St Pete, but you may be able to tell if it is one by a very small emblem on the bell.

I imported one of the German-reworked St Petes in early 2000--one that had the newer style ball linkage. It was a new horn, whose valves had supposedly been honed by German craftsmen, but I had to rehone them myself. Once I did, it worked quite well for the next five years.

The emblem on that one's bell was a circle about a half inch in diameter with a lyre superimposed on it. Nowhere else was there any indication of its manufacturer.

[LoyalTubist]

I tried the five valved E-flat tuba and it's great.

What was said about St. Petes seems true to me for the BB-flat tubas and the four valved E-flat.

I have seen the three valved instruments but was never interested.

[tubiker]

I've got a really well-used St Pete 106, the intonation is "interesting" (that means ), but every now and again it gets used for music that it was built for (20th Century Russian stuff) - and its great !!!!!! (yeh I know its not the best in the world, but it works)
At the last Mid West in December I managed to blow the new ones that Tuba Exchange are selling and believe me they are in a different league from my hooter. If your bucks are a bit tight, find a new St Pete and have a blow - I'd say good value for the cash.

Andrew Murray

[Tubaryan12]

So besides Tuba Exchange, Ebay, and Musicians Friend (whose selection sucks) where do I look?

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