Cerveny 691 - Who has played one?

[barry grrr-ero]

Doc,

I know that John Thomas in Santa Cruz - who's technically a Cerveny rep. (I think) - really likes the 691. He thinks they're quite good for the money. J.T. is a really 'grounded' guy who's opinion I value.

[bort]

Calling Brent Vokes...

[b.williams]

How about when you take away "for the money" ?

I agree. A garden hose and a funnel are good for the money.

[bort]

Not to mention, new Cerveny's are not really "bargain priced" anymore either. Still less than German, but a lot more than Chinese.

Years ago, Lee Stofer rebuilt a 691, and I considered buying it (but didn't). That's the one that Brent Vokes has (or had... if he sold it...), which is why I mentioned his name. That is to say, if there's one 691 floating around that is living up to its maximum potential, it would be that one.

I can't quite remember the differences between the 691 and the 601, but I think the 691 has a more compact wrap than the 601, and maybe a larger bell? It's a BIG tuba, just not very tall.

[bort]

you might be thinking of the 693 for the compact wrap

No, I mean the 691, which has a shorter top bow than the 601 but is still a big fat tuba. They don't make the 691 anymore in CC, but there's a BBb version that's basically the same thing. The 693 is a Piggy-looking tuba.

BTW, I think we're all talking about this tuba:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cerveny-691-CC- ... 182083599?

Interestingly, the bell says ABB691, which would indicate a it's a BBb tuba. Maybe that's why CC fingerings didn't work out for the seller? (But really, it looks like a CC tuba.)

[bigboymusic]

This is actually the horn I have up right now. first off, even with ABB 691 on the bell, it was sold in 91 as the cc 691 through Tuba Exchange. There was an entire order of them that came through almost playing in 'B'. At the time I stopped my order and bought a prototype 4V piston PT-5 instead (great horn by the way)

I discovered this 691 online and it had never been cut. How someone owned it for 25 years and never had it cut, I have no idea. I got it CHEAP and had a great KC guy (Joe Felton) cut it down to CC. A little on the leadpipe and an inch or so off the tuning slide. It is and never has been a point and shoot horn. It plays pretty much like any fat 5/4 thin walled horn does. The low A/ab are just a bit stuffy, but overall it is (and I say this with love in my heart Bloke!) a great deal for the $$. I bought it purely to play the solo 'Stuff' and also the Barnes Concerto. Other than that, I really like BBb better the older I get for everyday playing.

The newer BB 691's are AWESOME!!!! I actually have priced the 791 (gold brass) and haven't been able to pull the trigger yet. Beautiful horns.......

[sirtar]

tuba.jpg

I purchased this Cerveny 691 in January. I have had a wonderful time with this horn. I have used this horn in three different community bands of which The Beethoven Concert Band is one. I have found this horn to be responsive through out the dynamic range and behaves like a lady in tuning. I would like to thank the person that made all the adjustments in the past.

I have to be very careful in the amount of brats that I eat. Just don't limit my intake of texas tea.

[bigboymusic]

The man responsible for turning that dog into a work horse is Joseph Felton of KC, MO (Heritage Music). I bought it cheap, fixed it cheap and sold it for what I had in it. I loved the final product after the cutting and tweaking, but I have completely come around to being a BBb player again. I know there are more of these out there waiting for some TLC. It is really a beautiful instrument after the work...... Joe is GREAT to work with....