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Hi, friends.

I have SEVERELY damaged my Miraphone 186, in a fall. The good news is that I have insurance that will cover the work to completely restore it to original (pre-fall) condition, including re-lacquering. The bad news is that I having difficulty finding a facility in the South Florida area. My first choice (Dillon's) is terribly backed up and my insuramce company won't wait forever for me to submit the final claim, so I am forced to explore alternatives.

Any suggestions? Thanks to any and all!!

Have you considered having the insurance co. total it and just get a new one? If not a new one, a good used one and pocket the difference?

I would like that to happen, but I had already gotten a written estimate from Dillon's for a restoration, pretty far below the value of a new one. The horn was in almost new condition prior to the fall and anything less would be difficult to accept. I can make the proposal to my insurance company, anyway. It doesn't hurt to ask, I guess.

Thank you.

Details:

Complete horn relacquer
Replacemet of #1 valve assembly (valve and casing plus solder work
Soldering - replace lever supports with new and solder in place
Valve work
Repair bent lever bridge
Lever support screws
Lever hinge rod with nuts
Replace #2 rotor and stop arm. Lap new rotor to old valve casing
Dent work - Repair and/or patch #70 4th valve branch that was crushed when lever support was broken
#142 linkages and hardware/sc

I am unable to post the pictures here, but I will send them to anyone who replies to me or to whom I send a request. Thank you for any attempts to assist.

BTW, I hosed the horn, falling down some steps during a dress rehearsal.

Ted Volkwein at Volkwein's Music in Pittsburgh does great work. It's been a few years since I've used him so I'm not sure what his status is as far as availability.

volkweins.com

Damn! With a laundry list like that, I'd also try to get it totalled. Get more estimates.

remind the insurance company that the instrument will not work the same after major work. if you want to get it totaled, remind them that it will not sound the same as it did after the repairs. they might consider totalling it then, and allowing you to replace it with one of like quality and price.

Thank you to all who have responded with such marvelous ideas and references.
Y'all are great!

Ted Woehr did superb work on my 184 many years ago - he's a consummate pro. Last time I checked, the shop was in Carnegie, PA, an western/southwestern suburb of Pittsburgh.

All the same, I also heartily recommend Dan Schultz - aka tubatinker - who posts and advertises regularly here.

Also Gary Daffler, at Hauer Music in Dayton, Ohio.

Another vote for Ted Woehr. He put my wife's 1950's vintage Alexander 103 back together so well that when we had the compression tested at the Alexander workshop in Mainz, they said it was as good or better than the new ones.

You might consider trying Ed Strege at Badger Repair in Elkhorn, Wisconsin. He worked on my 186 and it sounds better than ever as a result. Only thing is I think he only goes through retail music shops, unless one of them refers you to him, as was my case.

I took the horn up there, and came back a week later. Ed gave me a tour of the place, showed me what they did to the horn (I gave him "Carte Blanche") and left as one mighty satisfied customer.

Sorry that I don't have his phone # anymore -especially since I'm going to need more work on the horn after several years of use - but at least one of his former students is now working at the University I teach at.....

If Lee can't do it, he'll get you in touch with Ed, as they talk frequently.

I hope all are well!

Ted is a genius.

He is at Volkweins in Pittsburgh now.

Tell him hi from me please!

Peace and Love and World Peace!

Sumner