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WTB: Large Rotary BBb (Cerveny 696, 601, etc) (FOUND)
Posted: Sun Oct 04, 2026 7:53 pm
by tubamarc8891
I am in the market for a large rotary BBb tuba. I am very interested in the Cerveny 696. Would also consider an Alexander 164. My price range is around $4000 max. I am located in Stafford, VA.
Re: WTB: Large Rotary BBb (Cerveny 696, 601, etc)
Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2026 8:32 am
by arpthark
Marc, I noticed there is a Miraphone 190 BBb being sold in the EU for about your price range. Factor in shipping and tariffs/etc. and it'll probably be just a bit over $4,000.
https://the-brass-shop.com/miraphone-wa ... uba-e3499/
I actually bought an Alex 164 from them last year, but it was unfortunately packed poorly and arrived with a crumpled bell, so caveat emptor, I suppose.
Re: WTB: Large Rotary BBb (Cerveny 696, 601, etc)
Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2026 2:39 pm
by arpthark
Also a Cerveny 693 near-ish you and at the top of your price range being consigned by Chris Lair:
https://www.facebook.com/share/19qcimEPPE/
Re: WTB: Large Rotary BBb (Cerveny 696, 601, etc)
Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2026 5:19 am
by Chris Mayer
There is actually 2 very nice Cerveny 601 Tubas, true Kaisertubas, at the Brass Shop in Aalten Netherlands.
https://the-brass-shop.com/v-f-cerveny- ... a-2-e3499/
https://the-brass-shop.com/v-f-cerveny- ... uba-e2949/
I have played the later one. Nice player and very easy to play with a nice sound. If I would not have already had the Alex, I would have bought this tuba. Still considering to buy one of those. I have bought an Alex 164 and other stuff there and can truly recommend them. Had several of those instruments shipped (Netherlands - Germany).
Damage while Shipping of course could be an issue. Could be that the shop has further reinforced packaging to avoid such issues.
Best
Chris
Re: WTB: Large Rotary BBb (Cerveny 696, 601, etc)
Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2026 1:03 pm
by tubamarc8891
Chris Mayer wrote: Wed Oct 07, 2026 5:19 am
There is actually 2 very nice Cerveny 601 Tubas, true Kaisertubas, at the Brass Shop in Aalten Netherlands.
https://the-brass-shop.com/v-f-cerveny- ... a-2-e3499/
https://the-brass-shop.com/v-f-cerveny- ... uba-e2949/
I have played the later one. Nice player and very easy to play with a nice sound. If I would not have already had the Alex, I would have bought this tuba. Still considering to buy one of those. I have bought an Alex 164 and other stuff there and can truly recommend them. Had several of those instruments shipped (Netherlands - Germany).
Damage while Shipping of course could be an issue. Could be that the shop has further reinforced packaging to avoid such issues.
Best
Chris
I saw these! They look great. I wish I could get one but they're not willing to ship tubas that large to the US.
Re: WTB: Large Rotary BBb (Cerveny 696, 601, etc)
Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2026 1:17 pm
by tubamarc8891
I'm driving down next week to try this one out! I'm generally more interested in a traditional kaiser shape but I' curious to see how this plays. Never played this model and I can't find much online about it.
Re: WTB: Large Rotary BBb (Cerveny 696, 601, etc)
Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2026 3:53 pm
by marccromme
Let us know what you think of the cerveny 693 once you did play it. I am curious about your findings.
Re: WTB: Large Rotary BBb (Cerveny 696, 601, etc)
Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2026 7:04 pm
by humBell
marccromme wrote: Wed Oct 07, 2026 3:53 pm
Let us know what you think of the cerveny 693 once you did play it. I am curious about your findings.
Concur.
I think i played one that was relatively cheap for obvious reasons, and really enjoyed it. Remember pontificating with other forum member(s) that if the tight-wrapped normal size cervenys were piggies, then this was a boar.
Re: WTB: Large Rotary BBb (Cerveny 696, 601, etc)
Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2026 8:34 am
by arpthark
humBell wrote: Sun Oct 11, 2026 7:04 pm
marccromme wrote: Wed Oct 07, 2026 3:53 pm
Let us know what you think of the cerveny 693 once you did play it. I am curious about your findings.
Concur.
I think i played one that was relatively cheap for obvious reasons, and really enjoyed it. Remember pontificating with other forum member(s) that if the tight-wrapped normal size cervenys were piggies, then this was a boar.
Yep. Kaiser-sized but wrapped differently so the bell is "right there" and you get immediate sound feedback, as opposed to traditional kaisers whereby the bell is "up there." I really like the 693.
Re: WTB: Large Rotary BBb (Cerveny 696, 601, etc)
Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2026 1:16 pm
by tubamarc8891
Was able to spend an hour or so on the 693 and ended up buying it.
It was a lot better than I thought it would be. It's not without faults (wasn't expecting a perfect tuba for under $4k), but this particular one has pretty good intonation and is very free blowing.
The 693 is more of a poor man's Miraphone Siegfried than a traditional kaiser (197/2, B&F, Alexander 164, etc). Huge sound. Overall pretty even timbre. Lows below pedal f get a little stuffy but not terrible. You can really feel the large bore. I'm not convinced that I have the right mouthpiece for this type of tuba. Going to have to do some experimenting.
Also, Chris Lair is great people. Highly recommend him to anyone for sales/repair.
Re: WTB: Large Rotary BBb (Cerveny 696, 601, etc)
Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2026 1:59 pm
by arpthark
tubamarc8891 wrote: Tue Oct 13, 2026 1:16 pm
Was able to spend an hour or so on the 693 and ended up buying it.
It was a lot better than I thought it would be. It's not without faults (wasn't expecting a perfect tuba for under $4k), but this particular one has pretty good intonation and is very free blowing.
The 693 is more of a poor man's Miraphone Siegfried than a traditional kaiser (197/2, B&F, Alexander 164, etc). Huge sound. Overall pretty even timbre. Lows below pedal f get a little stuffy but not terrible. You can really feel the large bore. I'm not convinced that I have the right mouthpiece for this type of tuba. Going to have to do some experimenting.
Also, Chris Lair is great people. Highly recommend him to anyone for sales/repair.
Awesome! I bought a euph from Chris a few years ago, great experience, nice dude. Glad the 693 worked out for you, I really like that model.
Re: WTB: Large Rotary BBb (Cerveny 696, 601, etc) (FOUND)
Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2026 6:20 pm
by tubamarc8891
Here it is next to a Yorkbrunner
Re: WTB: Large Rotary BBb (Cerveny 696, 601, etc) (FOUND)
Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2026 6:35 pm
by arpthark
tubamarc8891 wrote: Tue Oct 13, 2026 6:20 pm
Here it is next to a Yorkbrunner
Imgur is kinda finicky with links, here ya go:
I bet it’s a lot lighter than the HB.
Re: WTB: Large Rotary BBb (Cerveny 696, 601, etc) (FOUND)
Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2026 9:15 pm
by humBell
arpthark wrote: Tue Oct 13, 2026 6:35 pm
tubamarc8891 wrote: Tue Oct 13, 2026 6:20 pm
Here it is next to a Yorkbrunner
Imgur is kinda finicky with links, here ya go:
I bet it’s a lot lighter than the HB.
Perty! (sounding too, i bet)