FS: Cerveny "Kawai" (Arion) BBb tuba (SOLD)

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FS: Cerveny "Kawai" (Arion) BBb tuba (SOLD)

Post by greenbean »

** SOLD **

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
Last edited by greenbean on Tue Apr 22, 2025 10:04 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: FS: Cerveny "Kawai" (Arion) BBb tuba

Post by aarongsmith »

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

Do you have any pictures of the gig bag?
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Re: FS: Cerveny "Kawai" (Arion) BBb tuba

Post by greenbean »

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.

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Re: FS: Cerveny "Kawai" (Arion) BBb tuba

Post by tofu »

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.
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Re: FS: Cerveny "Kawai" (Arion) BBb tuba

Post by aarongsmith »

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.
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Re: FS: Cerveny "Kawai" (Arion) BBb tuba

Post by Heavy_Metal »

@greenbean , where is this tuba located?
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Re: FS: Cerveny "Kawai" (Arion) BBb tuba

Post by greenbean »

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

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Re: FS: Cerveny "Kawai" (Arion) BBb tuba

Post by greenbean »

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.
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Re: FS: Cerveny "Kawai" (Arion) BBb tuba

Post by arpthark »

greenbean wrote: Wed Mar 12, 2025 11:05 pm There might be a small run of Superfine bags on the way, by the way.
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Re: FS: Cerveny "Kawai" (Arion) BBb tuba

Post by bloke »

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).
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Re: FS: Cerveny "Kawai" (Arion) BBb tuba

Post by greenbean »

Yes, these *are* wonderful. And compact and "handy." 33" tall and 17 lbs...
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Re: FS: Cerveny "Kawai" (Arion) BBb tuba

Post by LeMark »

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
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Re: FS: Cerveny "Kawai" (Arion) BBb tuba

Post by Eutubabone54 »

I have a 190 Bb miraphone. Trade possible?
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Re: FS: Cerveny "Kawai" (Arion) BBb tuba

Post by Eutubabone54 »

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.
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Re: FS: Cerveny "Kawai" (Arion) BBb tuba

Post by greenbean »

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...

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** SOLD **: FS: Cerveny "Kawai" (Arion) BBb tuba

Post by greenbean »

SOLD...
Last edited by greenbean on Tue Apr 22, 2025 10:04 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: FS: Cerveny "Kawai" (Arion) BBb tuba

Post by Mary Ann »

On the bag, which is interesting. I learned something from the shop when I had a tuba in to be cleaned that goes with the Protec 251(?) The shop guy had the bag sitting on the bell end, undid the zipper, and just set the tuba inside on the bell and zipped it up, WAY easier than when I was using it as a clamshell and putting it away that way.

The Gard bag I got for the Alex baritontuba is one heck of a tight fit, dificult for me. I have thought of finding someone to convert it to a top loader, which would, for me, be about like a typical tuba sized guy using a top loader bag for a tuba. But I have no idea who could wrestle with that and make it work. Not another zipper but velcro or something; And maybe have it like that one is, with it possible to have both zippers undone and a large opening. The bell is always up in a backpack so not like it's going to fall out. I don't know how they make these in a factory but have assumed it is mechanical due to the stiffness of the material.
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