Posted by Dale on February 18, 2002 at 22:08:25:
My last attempt to post it here before it goes to the auction site, it's a nice-sounding little f 4-banger, had a couple of nibbles from here but nothing panned out, so... planning to post a "buy it now" price of 1450, figure one last post here won't get me panned too badly.
This Karl Ziess "Master Modelle" Ziess f tuba was made by Cerveny and is the same type open-4th valve f that Cerveny builds and sells now. The new ones are a great tuba for the money, this one is half the cost of the new ones and a GREAT horn for high orchestra stuff like the Berlioz Benvenutto Cellini Overture my Symphony did last year. 18.5mm bore, 14 1/2" bell. I like the character and color of the sound and playing characteristics better than many much more expensive "German-style" horns. I bought it from Ike Harris (another Tubenet BBS'er) in the Nashville area last year. Chuck Jackson (another BBS'er)in Las Vegas plays one just like it also, he had Lee Stoffer put a 5th valve on his and is really happy with it. With a properly-selected SMALL mouthpiece it is a very adequate first f with a different-enough character of sound that (for example) if you're a student in a big school studio you WILL be asked to use it in high orchestra stuff. If you have to do low stuff, a bigger MP will make it easier. There is no case for it, nor a gig bag, I generally use Amtrak for shipping, and at this price I am really a little leery about "trial periods" and the like. Like the web page said, a little attention to cleaning and a proper solder repair to a weak ferrule(the one right after the valve body, before the tuning slide), maybe even a 5th valve if you want to experiment with getting better low range, and it'll serve really well as a first f on a budget. Am selling because I bought a 6-valve Alex,
I'm getting anxious to sell, and.....(catching breath) if you have any other questions or want some additional referral to the horn, drop me an e-mail and I'll be happy to reply!