Cerveny CC 686

[ekwjr]

I am considering buying a new Cerveny CC 686 4/4 Tuba brand new.
Any experience with this horn?
I would like a new Miraphone CC 186 5V but can't come up with the extra dough.
EXPERIENCED input appreciated!

[bill]

I have owned both and would council you that you have to figure out what you want to do with the your tuba before you can decide. In so far as their workmanship and performance characteristics, the Miraphones were well built and they played very well; valves were quieter on the Miraphone; intonation was slightly better and price, when I was dealing with them, was about twice, for a Miraphone, than for a Cerveny. I played my Cerveny for my only horn for about 10 years and, when I got a better horn, my son got the Cerveny and went off to college with it and did very well as a performance major with it. The Miraphone would have been a sturdier horn and would have had fewer repairs over those years. I have a Miraphone now and use it for Orchestral work when I need a Contrabass tuba.

If given a choice, between the two horns, where price was not an object, I would buy a Miraphone. But you could also buy a used Miraphone 186 for the price of a Cerveny. So, there is another decision for you; why does it have to be new?

Whatever you do, enjoy it and play well.

[Eric B]

Based upon the reputation of the Cervany for being easily dented, you may be better off getting a used Miraphone. There are usually 2 or 3 Miraphone 186 CC 5 valve horns for sale on TubeNet at any given time. The cost of new horns has sky rocketed in the past year or so. You should be able to pick up a good used horn for under $4,000. The condition could range from a public school abused horn to near mint. Although my horn is over 10 years old, it has been well maintained and has only a few cosmetic scratches and dings. When I'm financially ready to step up to a 5/4 horn I will sell for less than 1/2 the price of a new horn. So a "like new" horn can be had on a budget. With numerous new makes to choose, many will part with their horns in order to finance the next. Unfortunately for me and fortunately for you, it's a buyer's market for the Miraphone 186. Let some poor chump like myself pay the depreciation

Good luck in your search.

Eric