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Now that the initial hype has long passed, who still loves their 181?How is the pitch from a on the staff to f above the staff? Do you feel you get that "alive"german rotary f sound?

I bought my 181 back in 2001 and I still love it. I didn't even realize there was much hype about it. I know the (firebird smaller version) came out a couple years ago, is that the hype you're refering to?

As a matter of fact, 3 out of the 4 pieces on my recital tonight will be played on my 181.

Intonation can be controled (I've not noticed it as being too much of an issue), I'd definitely recommend the 6 valve version.

Hope this helps
Jim Langenberg

In order(one word answers, I'm feeling like a wiseacre tonight). Me. Good. Yes.
Seriously, I've had mine for about a year and a half and still love it. The pitch is most problematic in the staff, but can be managed. Alternate fingering are necessary on mine. The sound , to me is just right- they fixed the pitch with the 281, but I don't think it puts out as much sound with the smaller bell. BTW, did you mean the 181, or the 281?

JCradler wrote:The pitch is most problematic in the staff, but can be managed. Alternate fingering are necessary on mine.

I also like my 181 a lot. And yes, the intontation problems are mostly in the staff, in ascending order A, Bb, B, C, and G. What alternate fingerings are you using, John?

1+3 for hi and low G. 3 or 1+2pull for low A, depending on the situation, hi A open. Bb pull, B and C...lip down and pray, then lip down some more. I'm sure there's more than one person out there who'll say I'm putting up with too much b.s. from this tuba, I sure do like the sound and the valve action, though!

This discussion about the 181 vs. the 281 couldn't come at a more appropriate time for me. I'm about to purchase an F tuba; Miraphone is a very strong contender for price alone, if not for any of its other positive characteristics.

My primary use for an F tuba would be for appropriate orchestral pieces/passages.  Secondary use would be for playing in chamber ensembles.  Tertiary use would be for the infrequent concerto or solo performance that I might give.  Soloing is not my bag, so I’m definitely not looking for a “soloâ€

Sounds like a 181 is more of what you want. A great general-purpose F tuba. If you haven't already done so, check out the Meinl Weston 45SLZ. I've sung its praises in the past- real nice, but "strong like bull". It might be something to consider seeing you're not too interested in solos.

JCradler wrote:1+3 for hi and low G. 3 or 1+2pull for low A, depending on the situation, hi A open. Bb pull, B and C...lip down and pray, then lip down some more.

That is almost exactly what I'm doing. I find 4 works for the low G and 1+2 for the high A. The odd, but nice thing about the notes that I lip down is that they don't lose any of the tone quality.

I bought a used 181 in the fall to replace the Yamaha E-flat that I was playing. The 181 is my first experience with F tuba, and it has been a very pleasant one. (Especially considering everything I've read on here regarding how "impossible" German F tubas are to play!)

I had my teacher play test the horn before I even saw it, and he immediately commented on how open the low range is compared to his PT-something. I found out later that the original owner sold the 181 to buy a Yamaha-something because he found the low range on the 181 to be stuffy and almost unplayable. I was perplexed.

About intonation problems: As others have stated, there's nothing there that can't be corrected. (I have the 5 valve version)

My one problem with the 181 is that using the 5th valve puts my wrist at an odd and mildly painful angle. (My hands are smaller than average, and it's not painful enough that I've been inclined to change it--- yet.)

Erin "A little disappointed in myself because I promised myself I would boycott TubeNet and spend more time in the practice rooms" O

I think one good thing about all our lamenting about german f "low C disease" is that now expectations for that note are sufficiently lowered for us new german f players to the point where we can be realistic.My 2 yamahas pretty much ruined my expectations in that area,but now i want "the sound"...and am willing to work out low C...

I have the most problems keeping second space C in tune. It always seems to play sharp for me.

Otherwise its a great horn. I've used it in quintets, orchestras and for solos. You might want to get the sixth valve 181. if you can only have one F tuba, the 181 is vary varsatile. I also liked the Meinl Weston 45 (don't know exactly which version, think it was an SLP)