No experience (yetSeasoningSalt wrote:Since there are so many tubists circumventing this site regularly, I figure at least one will have an opinion on the Cerveny F tuba. I don't really know if it is wise for anyone to be purchasing a 4 valve F, but if the price were low enough, would you ever buy one? Does anybody have experience with the model "1653 - 4"?
), but I've had my eye on that one for a while -- looks to me like a nice horn at a good price. Dillon Music sells the 5-valve version (current model number is CFB 653-x, where x= 4 or 5), so I'm guessing they play well (it's the only one of Cerveny's five F-tuba models that they sell). The valve section (including main slide) appears to be identical to the CFB 651-4. It doesn't weigh much, either -- the Amati-Denak website indicates the current-model weight is just over 12.5 lbs. Is it wise to purchase a 4 valve F? I don't see why not, if it meets your needs. It's certainly less expensive than a 5 or 6 valve ... lighter (fewer valves + associated tubing) ... potentially less stuffy. You'd most likely be doing some slide-pulling to get all the notes in tune (as I do with my 4 valve Sear-Cerveny CC), but -- if you're not averse to that -- it could be a good choice.