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Here is a great playing Cerveny Arion BBb tuba. Short and stubby and makes a nice big sound! This one was made for Kawai, the Japanese maker of pianos and importer of band instruments. Valves are very good, horn is clean, and slides all move well. Thumb ring is missing (threaded flange is ready to receive a new one) but I've had good results using the 2nd slide ring. The bell flare has a mild crumple that is being taken care of at the repair shop this week. Other than the bell flare, I don't see any evidence of repairs; ample lacquer wear, yes. Comes in a great gig bag of unknown maker. $3000 gets the horn, gig bag, and a mouthpiece.

Photos here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/U9LGPysNpvzUoMRx9

I love all of the little extra finishes Kawai ordered on this horn.

Do you have any pictures of the gig bag?

aarongsmith wrote: ↑Tue Mar 11, 2025 8:46 am I love all of the little extra finishes Kawai ordered on this horn.

Do you have any pictures of the gig bag?

There are now some in the photo album.

Don’t think I’ve ever seen a bag that was a combination top & side loader. Seems like that could be the best or worst of both worlds. Can they be used independently of each other or do you have at least loosen one a bit to use the other option. Seems like it would add extra weight with all that extra zipper and one more thing to fail. Interesting concept though.

tofu wrote: ↑Tue Mar 11, 2025 6:40 pm Don’t think I’ve ever seen a bag that was a combination top & side loader.

It really looks like the same OEM as the bag that comes with the Bobo F. The side zipper and top have to be opened on the Yamaha bag for it to work. It seems good in concept but in reality it’s just okay.
Tom’s design of a vertical side loader was/is better.

@greenbean , where is this tuba located?

Heavy_Metal wrote: ↑Wed Mar 12, 2025 10:05 pm @greenbean , where is this tuba located?

San Francisco

aarongsmith wrote: ↑Tue Mar 11, 2025 7:28 pm It really looks like the same OEM as the bag that comes with the Bobo F. The side zipper and top have to be opened on the Yamaha bag for it to work. It seems good in concept but in reality it’s just okay.
Tom’s design of a vertical side loader was/is better.

I read somewhere that someone made a bag like this with top and side zippers but I never saw one. And I don't remember who the company was!

I considered this design but it wouldn't have helped me with the problem I was having, which was getting the "lid" of my top-loaders to come out right. So, I scrapped it and came up with the Split Top-loader design. I actually prefer the Clamshell because I can use it as a clamshell or leave the bottom of the case zipped and use it like a Split Top-loader. There might be a small run of Superfine bags on the way, by the way.

greenbean wrote: ↑Wed Mar 12, 2025 11:05 pm There might be a small run of Superfine bags on the way, by the way.

These are wonderful.

Even though there's a very high-grade Chinese knock-off of this model (as well as a so-so knock-off made in another factory), I'd LOVE to own the "real deal" - were it not that I built myself a similarly-sized B-flat...

...and the price is fantastic.

One of you near-the-seller "I need a lighter-weight good B-flat tuba that has a full sound" people should buy this (before someone else does).

Yes, these *are* wonderful. And compact and "handy." 33" tall and 17 lbs...

I have been on a holy grail search for a pre-1990 version of one of these for at least a decade . Never seen one in the states before

I have a 190 Bb miraphone. Trade possible?
Brent

My orchestras (3) like the sound but I am 72 yrs old and if I were younger it would be fine. Its heavier than the Piggy C that I traded to Artpark for( he was looking for a piggy like mine that could play in tune, for 8 years, i think,) but if this Arion, Bb , plays fairly well in tune, I would consider an even trade. I and the orchestras I play in, like the sound of the 190 Bb, but it's becoming too heavy for me too carry around for 3 orchestras ( 2 brass quintets). Let me know if you would be interested. I also worked up a 2nd valve kicker like I did for the Piggy I traded to Artpark. Very functional of course.
Brent Vokes
Eutubabone54@gmail.com

Eutubabone54 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 17, 2025 3:42 pm I have a 190 Bb miraphone. Trade possible?
Brent

A fews years ago - yes, I would have been interested. But it doesn't make sense these days...