Make offer for old tuba

[bone-a-phone]

I'm not exactly sure what this is. My repairman said it might be a Wunderlich. Very likely eastern european. The guy I bought it from (a pro musician from Boston, who used this horn to get through Berklee) got it from Walter Sear in 1966, and he said at that time it was described as a handmade Alexander clone, and it looked quite used at the time, so the horn was probably much older than mid-60s. It was refinished in the early 1970's, and I assume that's the finish that's on it now. The lacquer is a little dark. It doesn't have any engraving or distinguishing marks that I can see. The bell was assembled as a 2 piece with a V shaped notch in a way that I have never seen before, but is said to have been an old possibly pre-WWII method.

- BBb
- 4 rotary
- 17.75" bell
- 39" tall
- ~0.690" ID at second valve slide
- bass trombone sized receiver
- all slides move
- converted to ball linkages
- valves recently redone ($140 job)
- no major dents, but the biggest one is in the leadpipe
- rather light, at ~17 lbs

I'm a decent enough trombone player, but not a very good judge of tubas, so I can't really say if this is a good or great horn. I can play it, and I get a tuba-ish sound from it. I think a real tuba player would want to replace the receiver and use a real tuba mouthpiece. I've been using a small Denis Wick, so the high notes come out better than the low notes. The closest I'm going to get to being a real tuba player is the euphonium. Not that I'm a real euphonium player either, just that I own one and can play a little.

I'm not sure what this is worth, so I'd be willing to entertain offers. I'm pretty sure it's not a $5000 tuba, but I'd be willing to take that for it if you think it's a gold mine . It's probably worth $1500 or so. It is playable as is. There is no case. I can include a mouthpiece if you're interested (it came with an ill fitting Schilke 66 tulip). I'd rather someone close-ish came to pick it up (I'm in WestERN Virginia (NOT WEST Virginia)), but I'd also be willing to drive a ways to help it find a new home. If necessary, I can ship it. I've shipped dozens of trombones, but a tuba is a different matter altogether to pack and trust to a shipper. We can talk about shipping if that's what you need.

My backup is to take it to the army tuba conference and give it to Baltimore Brass.

[Uncle Markie]

It's a Czech - made by Cerveny. Later version had wire springs valves. I owned one of these in 1968. They have a nice core of sound, although not for really loud playing. Good luck with your sale!

[bone-a-phone]

It's a Czech - made by Cerveny. Later version had wire springs valves. I owned one of these in 1968. They have a nice core of sound, although not for really loud playing. Good luck with your sale!

Cool, thanks for the information. Do you have a site with more info or a model number? Cerveny has been one of the guesses that has been thrown out there. Any additional info would be great.

Thanks!

[edsel585960]

Clockwork springs. That has some age on it. Cool Horn!!!

[bone-a-phone]

Needs a new home and someone to play it.

[bone-a-phone]

Ok, how about $1000, and we figure out shipping separately? Some people don't like the whole "make an offer" deal.

[EZ-Slider]

Very tempting

[bone-a-phone]

Ok, well the rest of you waited too long. Tuba is sold. Thanks for everyone for looking, and the nice comments!