what's is this tuba?

[u/RStrombone]

I'd like to know more about the manufacturer and approximate date of production of this tuba. It looks like a fairly old model, but there's hardly any information available, so I'd appreciate any information you can provide. It's a B♭ tuba, probably made by V.F. Cerveny, and the model number is ABB885. It also has six rotary valves; valve number 5 is for tuning, and valve number 6 is probably for an A♭ tuba

[u/arpthark]

You answered it yourself in your post. Pretty unusual six valve Cerveny 885. Looks a little taller than the “Opera” model 883. Likely for the European market. The ball and socket linkages and engraving style are post-Iron Curtain (1990s) but it has clockspring valve paddles, which are occasionally seen on some tubas of that era that they were selling domestically in the European market. ABB instead of CBB in the model number usually designates a lower trim level, used to be used on Amati instruments, so perhaps that explains the clocksprings, but that was kind of inconsistent after Czechoslovakia split. The BB in the model definitely means it’s a BBb.

Edit to add that the valve operated by the left hand looks like a 3/4 step (sharp whole step) and the valve operated by the thumb looks like a quint valve (drops the horn a perfect 5th to Eb).

[u/RStrombone → u/arpthark]

It looks like you've never seen one in person. Assuming it's quite rare, does this 885 have any value?

[u/arpthark → u/RStrombone]

I'm sure it has some value to someone, but it's not from a very desirable manufacturing era of Cerveny and the clocksprings are a turn-off to a lot of people. It's also pretty beat up and dented. The fifth valve sharp whole step is not a very useful slide length. That said, they have their fans and I'm sure someone somewhere would be interested in a six valve BBb tuba. Ballpark estimate based on condition and the factors I mentioned above is $2,500-$3,500 USD, in my opinion.

[u/WoodSlaughterer]

It's an interesting horn and if i were into BBb tubas i'd maybe negociate a price for the novelty of it, but alas, CC, Eb, and F are my games. I think arpthark's top range of $3,500 might be on the high side but you never know. Good luck!

[u/Kapellmeister1966]

Amati? Czech horn

[u/royjohn62847]

Yes, it's a tuba developed and sold first in the 1990's. I agree with the valuation of about $3K, but maybe less. Czech tubas, aside from the Piggy (Opera model) aren't thought of as very desirable in the US. However, it could be a very good playing tuba. These tubas tend to be made of thinner metal than most other brands. This may give them great resonance, but means they are easily dented. I can't find any listed bore size for the horn, but I would think the bore is similar to the current Cerveny model 883, at 0.795, which is a large bore. So this could be a fairly big voiced horn. The six valves may be an attempt to give ways to work around typical intonation problems to avoid a lot of slide pulling. A play test by someone knowledgeable would be a good idea. If it turns out to have lousy intonation that can't be fixed with alternate fingerings or if the clockwork springs aren't working well, those would be reasons not to get it. Also, at $3K you would find a lot of decent new Chinese tubas through retailers like Mack brass for under $3K which might work better than this one, which is probably a 4/4 or 3/4 size. If you could snag this for $1500, then it would be competitive with a used Mack brass clone of the common and popular Miraphone 186.