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Any opinions on this tuba?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Miraphone-186-CC-5- ... dZViewItem

1976 horn

As I recall, Miraphone used the little gray nylon sockets on these, which have a tendency to crack at inopportune times. I'd budget an upgrade to standard uniball linkage if I were going to spend what this one's currently going for.

That auction is a Mirafone thats 3 years old....not 30

The horn is 30 years old according to the seller. See his note in response to an inquiry.

mTaUrBkA wrote:That auction is a Mirafone thats 3 years old....not 30

The serial number AND the owners comments say this horn was made in 1976... also consistant with the linkage ends. The man said he OWNED the horn for the last three years.

Chuck(G) wrote:As I recall, Miraphone used the little gray nylon sockets on these, which have a tendency to crack at inopportune times. I'd budget an upgrade to standard uniball linkage if I were going to spend what this one's currently going for.

What would a standard uniball linkage run? What would the cost be compared to what you had mentioned in an earlier post about the DuBro linkage? I too have these sockets on my Miraphone and would be interested in such an upgrade. Thanks!!

Ralph

TexTuba wrote:What would a standard uniball linkage run? What would the cost be compared to what you had mentioned in an earlier post about the DuBro linkage? I too have these sockets on my Miraphone and would be interested in such an upgrade. Thanks!!

This is something I'd take up with your local tech. The Du Bro links are only about $4-5 per pair, plus threaded rod, plus any work. The last time I picked up Miraphone uniball links, they were about $10 each.

Alternatively, you could see about replacing all of the nylon sockets on the horn with new ones (I think that they're still available as replacement parts). That would keep you good for the next 20 years or so...

I sit next to a guy with the BBb 4-valve of the same era. The grey nylon ends are the biggest pain. If you're going to play anything technical, you will have to either get new ends periodically or replace the linkage so they don't fail at the most inopportune moment.

Also, the standard for the thumb has become the long whole step. You will have to decide if you want the "one valve for each half step" way of this older horn, or the newer, "I can play anything in tune with a small pull on top" that the current convention is.

In addition to upgrading the linkages, you'd also be wise to watch the fifth valve pivot. Awful lot of torque into a less-than-stellar design. The pivot has a nasty habit of breaking off when you least expect it to. The later versions were beefier.

...D

DP wrote:Actually, they're more white than grey, aren't they? the ones with the (also) nylon adjustment screw in the ends? I never had those bust, but I know a lot of people didn't like them. Personally, if it were my call I'd say "if it ain't broke, don't fix it"

I DO know that the mid to late 70's were NOT a peak period for consistent, high quality Miraphone tubas ....

Agreed. I had a 184 CC #10307 that I believe was made in 1976. Never had a problem with the connectors. That thing was a super instrument.

FWIW, I'm STILL using a 1974 184 4U. No problems yet with the white nylon ends... but does anyone have one of those nylon scews handy?