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I read the recent thread "New Tuba" with interest. I've had my 188 since last fall, and I like it a lot. When I'm playing my best, it has a great tone. Response in fine--I've learned to deal with a couple of low notes! Only two or three notes are sufficiently out of tune to require slide pulling or alternate fingerings. And, it works well for me ergonomically. The horn is so well-balanced that when necessary, I can conduct my quintet with my left hand while playing. But I do have one beef with the horn, and that's the rotary valves. They often get "clanky" and out of adjustment, sometimes requiring a trip to see Dan Oberloh. Now I'm not in any rush to replace this horn, but if I were to do so, what 4P/1R CC tuba most closely resembles the 188 for sound, intonation, response and ergonomics? Thanks for your replies.

I've never heard anything that bad about the valves. If it's really ONLY the valves, maybe try a different 188?

I don't understand about the valves, either. I've had my 184 for almost 30 years (and loved every minute of it!)

You did not tell us the age of your 188. Is it old enough that it has the archaic "S" braces between the paddles and the valves? If so, and you really like the horn, have Dan change it out to a modern uniball or miniball linkage. If it has the modern linkage, check the screws holding the paddle bracket, as a lot of enthusiastic playing, or just the slightest mis-machining of the threads on those small screws, or even the slightest misalignment of the whole mechanism, will cause a little play, which manifests itself in the linkage adjustment going out. Also, early ball linkage grey nylon ends are notorious for cracking, and should be replaced as once they crack internally, even if you can't see it, they can't hold a thread, and therefore can't hold the linkage in adjustment.

Good luck!

S style linkage can be repaired so it is as quiet and fast as uniball/miniball linkage. It just takes a repair person that knows what they're doing, and a customer that is willing to pay for that kind of service.

I had 4 S linkage Miraphones in the shop this summer, and all of them left with quiet linkages.

Norm in Bellevue wrote:I ... Now I'm not in any rush to replace this horn, but if I were to do so, what 4P/1R CC tuba most closely resembles the 188 for sound, intonation, response and ergonomics? Thanks for your replies.

For intonation, the Conn 52j and variations have almost as good intonation as the Miraphone 188. Response and ergonomics are personal and are going to be questions other people can't answer for you. Both the 188 and 52j fit me fine. The piston Rudolf Meinl (4345 piston ?) has outstanding intonation, better than a 188 IMHO. It fits me fine too. Sounds better too IMHO (I bought one), but I really like the 188 (it was my second choice). I invite you to sell me yours for cheap since it's an out of style rotor instrument.

My Mirafone (older 184 CC) has no valve sticking or clanking problems and I've had it several years.


All the best,

Christian