I recently purchased a used Mirafone 188 CC from my instructor’s friend and my instructor told me that it may be part of the last batch of sun valley horns. I know a little bit about the history of this but not a lot, can someone elaborate what this means and confirm what he said is true. He said that to find out if it is indeed a sun valley horn the low F should be around 52 Hz, does anyone know if this is true? Also there is “MIRAFONE” engraved in fancy calligraphy letters on the silver rim around the bell would this have anything to do with it?
UPDATE FOR ANYONE WHO IS CURIOUS: it is indeed from what was referred to as the “Sun Valley Era” of Miraphone Manufacturing. The low A is 52hz which is what defines it. It sounds like the brief history of these horns is that it was from a time when miraphone manufacturing was moved to Sun Valley California and the QC in this factory Was Tommy Johnson and Roger Bobo meaning that the horns that came out of this factory were top notch. Just a fun little history lesson.
Last edited by Braydenmshannon on Fri Nov 20, 2020 1:02 am, edited 1 time in total.
I have a Miraphone Sun Valley catalog from 1984... Not particularly useful for these details, but apparently the retail price in 1984 was $7400. Nobody pays retail, but I don't know, maybe interesting?
I used to have a 188 from 1984, the goldbrass anniversary model. It was an outstanding tuba, definitely "the one that got away" from me. I probably should have kept it for life, but playing in a large and loud band, it just want the right tool for the job. If I ever see another one of those anniversary models around again, I'd jump at the opportunity to pick it up and give it another chance!
kingrob76 wrote: ↑Wed Oct 16, 2019 10:14 pm
Are you able to post pictures? I'm quite curious to get a look at this particular instrument...
Unfortunately it doesn’t look like I can add images because most of the files are too large but it doesn’t look too much different from an old 5 valve miraphone 188 with a 2 step 5th valve system
