Cerveny tubas?

[Rick Denney]

Cerveny suffered profoundly, in business terms, from central Communist economic control, but they still sold them because it was one of few sources of hard western currency. It was a storied name that fell on hard times. Now that Prague is no longer under the Soviet yoke, they have tried to move back up market where they would have stayed had WWII turned out differently for Czecho. That put them about 50 years behind their competition, both in terms of product development and in terms of marketing, so they have some catching up to do.

I bought one in 1984. Decent tuba, but soft. I traded it (plus other stuff) for a beat-up Miraphone, which I then had overhauled. The Miraphone was better, but not that much better. Now, that Miraphone is the one that is old-fashioned. Time marches on.

Rick "who has rarely owned new instruments, but generally preferred the older ones" Denney

[sailn2ba]

I've been laying back on this one, because I had an emotional response when it came up. I have a Mira 185, an Amati (Cerveny) 681, and a Cerveny 686 5RV. . . all good horns. . . . .But! the Cerv 686 is absolutely awesome for sound and intonation. I've been complemented by MW & Mira players beside me on the sound of this horn.
There is probably some variation. . . You really need to play any horn you buy.
Uhmm, and the Cerv IS a dent magnet.

[sailn2ba]

Oh! . . and, with the help of Matt Walters, mine came with two 5th valve slides.