B&S vs Mirafone F Tuba

Anterux · Post by **Anterux** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 5:37 am

Hello from Azores!

I didn't buy the F tuba yet.

In my last post I was advised not spend around 3000 EUR on a F tuba. Instead I should probably wait until I have more money to buy something better, or more reliable.

At this moment I dont have that kind money, but lets say money will be no problem.

By your experience, I should go for a mirafone or a B&S (or other)?

P.S.
I am not a professional player. I have an old F tuba (4 rotary valves, probably Cerveny) and I think I could play better with a better tuba. Money IS realy a problem at this moment, but I'm willing to wait what it takes.

thank you.

tubatooter1940 · Post by **tubatooter1940** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 9:02 am

Hello Anterux, from L.A. (Lower Alabama),
I'm 65 years old and have been playing brass since high school.
I have always found a suitable instrument when the time was right to use it.
You know what you are going to need so look about and try to steal one until the need is pressing and it's time to get serious. I found one tuba I could use on E-bay.

I have enjoyed your downloads and admire your writing and musicianship.
I hope you find a horn you are happy with. (dangled another participle, dang it). Please pardon my English. It is supposed to be my native language.

ASTuba · Post by **ASTuba** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 12:48 pm

JeremyI wrote:I'd suggest a trip to WWBW or some similar store that has several different brand of F tubas you can try. My two favorites out of the brands I tried were the MW 45slp and the Willson 3200S.

Probably not cost effective from Portugal.

ASTuba · Post by **ASTuba** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 1:06 pm

sorry, just trying to make a joke

Anterux · Post by **Anterux** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 4:26 pm

In Azores there isn't any store with tubas.

In continental Portugal there are some. when I have a chance I will go there.

nevertheless I would like to have your opinions.

kind regards

Antero

MikeMason · Post by **MikeMason** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 6:06 pm

I love mine.one on ebay and one on bassclefbrass.com available now used.

Wyvern · Post by **Wyvern** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 6:22 pm

I have not played either a Miraphone, or B&S F tuba, but what I have noticed is that B&S F tuba seem popular with professionals in German orchestras.

Johannes Lipp of the Deusche Symphonie-Orchester Berlin produced an incredible sound on his B&S PT-10 (I think that was the model) playing Bruckner's Symphony No.6 when I heard them last year.

W · Post by W » Thu Nov 16, 2006 3:26 am

I've played both.

Out of the two, the most ideal one you can find is the B&S Symphonie model. They usually go cheap because they're old, and they have the best intonation and lower register. Between $3000-4000.

The newer B&S's are good, but I would say save money and go with the Mirafone. The B&S's have an overall good balance in the tone of the sound. Some pitch issues.

But if you were to get the new Mirafone, get the 6 valve kind. For some reason, the 5 valve Mirafone (especially w/ yellow lacquer) has a very barky sound. So the 6 valves some how evens out the sound, it's better if you can get the gold lacquer kind too. It has a sparkle to the upper register while having a solid big lower register, quoting from a pro I studied with in L.A.