Cerveny CBB-883 DE Opera II (3/4 5V contrabass tuba)

[Lectron]

DE, being german model. Some differences with leadpipe/5th etc. Small things.
I understand these are not often seen in US.
Anyways. Nice little thing that doesn't come that much more expensive than a Chinese knock off.
Sports minibal links and micro adjusters on valves (like those seen on Miraphone)

[TheGoyWonder]

1st digit: 6= yellow brass, 7= red brass, 8=?
2nd digit: 8= 4/4, 9= 6/4, 0= usually 6/4, 7= 3/4 maybe
3rd digit: 1= tall body/traditional shape, other= usually compact wrap

[bort]

There are a LOT of Cerveny models that we never see much of in the US. Very cool tuba!

Around here, I think we'd just call that a Piggy.

[Lectron]

There are a LOT of Cerveny models that we never see much of in the US. Very cool tuba!

Around here, I think we'd just call that a Piggy.

It would be an 800 series arion , so a tad smaller in bore/bell

[Dubby]

Who did you order that from, Lectron? I’m in Germany for a year and have been thinking about picking up a tuba while here.

[Lectron]

Bought it from Mike Johnson in UK
Great guy, great service and great price

[bort]

How do you find the build quality of the tuba, compared to other European brands? I haven't seen any NEW Cerveny tubas in a while here in the US.

[Lectron]

Well.
These might not have changed much over the last couple of years, but with the involvement of Geneva Instrumfnts a few years back from then, I'd say big changes happened.
They differ from the old ones in good and bad. More, not like in much, use of hydraulics, but much better consistency. An old all hand hammered would probably feel more responsive, but the new ones I've played are easy players with a pleasant intonation. 4 valve 5/4+ that can be played only by lipping in full register is not that often heard of.

When it comes to build quality compared to other western..
Well. All the other bigger ones, maybe except Miraphone, has decreased their quality. I am then talking about the ones bought up by Buffet-Crampon.
Buffet group don't have a brass policy and pushes their factories way past the limit.
This is also conmfirmed from sources in and strongly connected to the company.
These do not stand back, though there is of course room for improvements.

I had an expensive german model delivered with flaws only expected to be seen on a Chinese horn 10 years ago.

[WagnerRing]

Beautiful Opera II. I'm curious if you compared the 883 Opera to any other Cerveny models such as the 783 Arion or 603 Piggy. If so, can you share your experience and impressions on how these different models compared? Thanks.

[Lectron]

I never tried the 783. I will assume that ine to be more mellow in the sound than 683, and might feel less responsive due to the red brass.

I did however try the 683 and 603. The 603 having 2nd trigger.
The 683 and 603 pretty much just played themselves, the 603 being clearly a larger instrument.
You could feel though that the 883 had greater potensial.
The 883 is a more conical instrument than the arion. You would see that with the higher top-bow and shorter MTS and leadpipe.
Doesn't really act like a larger instrument and had a noticable higher resistance probably due to the 5th.
Still I'd say it sound better and has greater potential. Demanded more of the player, but gave so much more back.

It soon become a challenge between the 603 and opera. My mind was preset on the 603, but the Opera became the victorious.
Everything, maybe except for pure loudness just seemed to work better on the opera.

[TheGoyWonder]

Should the euro crash before the dollar does, this would be very interesting.
Splurging for the red brass was worth it, looks awesome.
is the 603 pushing 6/4, like a short wrap of the 601 or 691, or is it more of a big 4/4 like the CC 603 (piggy)

[Lectron]

The 603 would be the BBb version of the Piggy. They even call it Piggy

here's some pics playing duets

883 & 693


693 & 691


The 601/696 would be even larger

[bort]

Thanks for the photos -- in the US, we rarely see these Cerveny models, and when we do, they are out-of-context photos with no sense of scale.

The 883 almost reminds me of a PT-20 in size, and the 693 about the size of a GR-51 -- These are complete guesses.

The Cerveny Kaiser tubas are, indeed, much larger!

[Lectron]

They may call it a piggy, but to me the defining characteristic of the piggy is the 5/4 bore, which this tuba does not have.

to me, all of the Arion tubas play like the old 16" bell 186's, which is meant only as a compliment

They call the 603 piggy, not the smaller bore arion/opera.
The 603 definitely acts like a larger tuba than arion/opera...and is larger.

[Lectron]

Thanks for the photos -- in the US, we rarely see these Cerveny models, and when we do, they are out-of-context photos with no sense of scale.

The 883 almost reminds me of a PT-20 in size, and the 693 about the size of a GR-51 -- These are complete guesses.

The Cerveny Kaiser tubas are, indeed, much larger!

The 883 is smaller than a PT20, but could probably do the same job.....with a completely diffrent sound.
The 693 (and 691) are large tubas. Bigger than a GR-51, but again close enough to be in the same marked.