Production Version of Miraphone "Firebird" arrived

[Matt Walters]

Hey Gang,
We finally got a few of the production version Miraphone F281 "Firebird" tubas in stock and I really like the changes. Way to go Alan Baer and Miraphone! The 5th valve tubing loops back and under. It looks great. The real benefit is that it lets the 1st slide be taller so that it can be easily reached with the left hand while playing. Like all F tubas, the top line G is flat using 1st valve only. But now I can lip it in tune, push in the 1st slide or use an alternate fingering.
Come on by and try them for yourself. You'll hear and feel what all the hype is about. Sorry that it sounds like a plug, but so many people have asked me to get the word out when they finally get here. Nothing spreads the word like TubeNet.

[Tubadork]

Hi
I got to toot on the proto(?) of this horn and it is flippin' amazing. Sound was great, really nimble, wow! This is the one horn that I have played that has made me even consider selling my F! This horn is the real deal.
Bill Pritchard

[MaryAnn]

Oh, and does the flippin thang have a low c on it?
MA

[Mark]

Oh, and does the flippin thang have a low c on it?
MA

I don't know about the 281, but the 181 does.

[Mark]

I would think the new challenge (with most "modern" F tubas) would be to get this c <img src="http://tinypic.com/72u98k.png">
low enough in pitch so that it could be used in a scale.

I've talked with enough owners of newer F tubas to think your'e right. Do you have a guess as to why that C is so sharp?

[Matt Walters]

I found the C below the staff to be easy and rich sounding. But just for "grins", I tried to play with a tight smile embrochure like a typical amatuer. Sure enough. A lousy player that doesn't actaully buzz the right pitch, is still going to have problems with the low C. Then I checked the second space C. I could play it right in tune, but I could also play it about 40 cents sharp.

Like a fine sports car that has to be "driven" through the turns etc., an F tuba has to be played in all registers.

[Alan Baer]

Hi All,
this is just a note to clarify Matt’s Post about the Firebird F tuba. The redesign of the the valve slide tubes enabled Miraphone to create a tuba that would allow the player to push and pull the 1st slide if needed. The length of the slide pull on the 1st valve is much longer than the previous 181 F tuba . It enables the player to push the 1st slide in all the way to play the G in tune with the least amount of valves depressed, or using alternate fingerings. There is PLENTY of slide length to pull and play your D’s and A’s 1+2 if so desired. All this is done to give the player the most versatility in finger combinations in all possible keys. If the player does not want to push and pull, with the 1st slide out slightly, anyone can play this tuba in tune with a slight amount of lipping. And yes, it has a GREAT low C!
Hope everyone enjoys this tuba as much as I have been!
Cheers,
Alan Baer

[bttmbow]

I tried these horns out yesterday. The hype is true; they are great instruments. Anyone who is looking for a new F should chaeck these out.

Chris Hall