Posted by Cerveny F impressions (Dillon has 'em) on August 28, 2001 at 19:56:31:
In Reply to: Re: Re: Re: Re: Yamaha YFB822 posted by Anon on August 28, 2001 at 16:18:23:
BBS,
Earlier this month I bought Lee Stofer's 19 year old Amati F tuba, that's a virtual twin of the CFB-654-6. I'll post the link below. Its low D starts to feel a little different (slightly stuffy or uncentered), Db a little more so, and the low C and B take a little fiddling. Unlike many of the "German rotary F" tubas I played last winter which were very difficult to play in this range, I find this horn easier to play here, and I can actually play the notes with some alteration in my technique. After a few months of playing, I'll post again and let you know how it's going. [The low BBb and lower are fine, as the thumb actuated "quint" valve drops the tuba into the key of Bb, and has a bore of about .820" or so. So BBb is fingered with the RH thumb, and from there on down, you use the Eb/BBb fingerings for 1-4 with the typical 1/2 step shift occurring with low G fingered 2,3(6). The left hand 5th valve is a flat half step and so far I seldom find a need to use it. I'm very tempted to get an extra slide made for this one, tuned as a flat WHOLE step so I can learn the standard fingerings if I want to.]
I really, really do like the sound of the horn, however. I also liked the YFB-621, but the Amati (Cerveny) does have a little more focused ("German") sound. This really IS a 3/4 tuba, however, and I can clearly tell the difference when the other tubist I share the chair with in my quintet brings his pre-PT B&S F (~16" bell and large bore) to practice -- he gets a very nice sound out of his -- full and dark. My goal in buying this F, however, was to blend better in a quartet when I'm playing the euph/2nd 'bone 4th part, and it's just the ticket. For *ease* of playability, however, I do prefer the YFB-621. But it is, of course, a compromise -- sound vs. ease of playing in "that" register.
Conclusion so far: If you want a 3/4 F and REALLY want "that German sound", this one may be the best choice. If you want a 3/4 F with NO difference in playability in this mid/low range, buy the YFB-621.
Matt Walters can get you the Cerveny F tubas. The 5V version is very reasonably priced, and the 6V version is competetive with the cheaper "newer" Fs on the market. Contact Matt for price quotes.
Steve Inman
Kokomo, IN