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Apples and oranges.

Both good.

I'm not sure I've played a 188, but I would so take a 1291 Bb over a 187 any day. Easier to play, much better low range, better sound, easier to slur on,....

Differences? The wrap, for one. The 188 is more in Miraphone's traditional style, the 1291 a lot more "open." I suppose the 1291 is bigger overall. It looks bigger. Personally I prefer the 188 a bit, but that's just me.

I had an opportunity to test these horns side by side at WWBW earlier this year, and though the playing quality is pretty consistent between the two, I find the 188 much more comfortable physically than the 1291. That's just a personal opinion, but the valve spread, tubing wrap, and left hand position were all more comfortable on the 188. Just my two cents.

My gold brass Miraphone 188 CC was up for sale at the point I bought my Miraphone 1291 CC. Thus, I had about three weeks before the 188 sold where I could test these two horns side-by-side. Both are very fine tubas. The 1291 was more open and easier to play in the extreme lower range, although the 188's low range was also very good. The 188's intonation was a bit better than the 1291 IMHO. To my taste, I preferred the tone color of the 188. I also liked the rotary action of the 188 over the piston action of the 1291. I kept the 1291 primarily because of its ease of playing low. I think a buyer of either of these horns will get lots of musical (and resale) value for their money.

The 188 is coiled more tightly than on the 1291. Look at the 1291 -- the body (with all the tubing) is a lot taller than it is on the 188.

"Ace" nailed it. Go with his description.

Roger

Try the 291 CC "Bruckner" and get the best of both horns.

I would also add that it depends upon what you will use the horn for most. If it is for exclusively large ensemble playing, then they would both be great, although the 1291 might be a better choice because it does have a bit easier low range than the 188. However, if you plan to do a lot of solo stuff/upper register stuff as well, the 188 has a definite advantage. I've played a few each of the 1291 and the 188, and I've found that the 188 has a much easier, less squirrely, more singing high range than the 1291. FWIW, the 1292s I've played seem to even the playing field with the 188 a bit in the high register, but I'd still give a distinct advantage to the 188.

Of course, this is just what I've noticed when I've played the horns. You may get completely different results.

Have a nice day!

Tubaguyry nailed it.

don't forget the 188s superior intonation!

but don't forget the 1291's great low end.

Since I own both of these instruments, perhaps I should give you my "feel" on them. I love them both. They each have a distinctive sound, both very pleasant, and both work great in both the low register and the high register. The tuning on the 188 requires a little less work but it may have a little less presence than the 1291/2. There is a big difference in the bore of the instruments and this is where the resonance difference occcurs. The 188 has a .772" bore and the 1291 has a .772" to .835" bore. There is also a big difference in the size of the bell with the 188 at 17.71" and the 1291/2 at 18.504".

Personally I use the 188 more than the 1291/2 as it is just a little less of a wrestling match. The 188 has great sound color, plenty of power and a solid low range that slots very well. It also requries a little less air to get about the same amount of presence, though the 1291/2 has more depth. The rotary valves require a little less work as well so this is an added bonus.

They are both fabulous horns but I look at it from the standpoint of:
1291/2 = young guy horn
188 = old guy horn

I also tend to pick the horn that is going to have the rightr flavor of sound for the work that I am doing. With more German stuff in the repertoire in the past year or so, I've been going more with the 188. Both of the quintets I play in prefer the 188 sound over the 1291 sound (just slightly) for that type of ensemble, and I imagine that soloing would be a little easier on the 188 as well.

If you have any specific questions, please let me know.

All the best.

Roger

Roger, do you still have your 1291 Bb as well?

Why yes I do. Used it in a brass band concert last Friday evening. One of the trumpet players said he was hearing things that he didn't know existed in some of the parts. There was one piece that started with a pedal F at ffff and the ground shook it was so loud. Great horn.

Have a great one.

Roger

I've played all 3. It's like green apples to red apples to oranges. All nice tubas and you really just have to try them all out for yourself.

I really think the MW 32 is a great tuba, and sort of the Rodney Dangerfield of tubas (gets no respect!). I'm sure people have more substantial beefs with them than I do, but all the ones I've played (and the VMI copy I owned) was a very nice tuba, especially for the cost!

I will say this though -- I sold my MW 32 to get a 1291.

I have owned both horns for 3 years now and have spent a lot of time going back and forth between the two. I think the 1291 has a more open sound especially in the lower register. The 188 slots a little better in the upper range and plays with a little more resistance. I love both horns, its kind of like going for a drive and choosing between the Porsche or the Corvette, either way it will get you there in style.

bigelktuba wrote:I have owned both horns for 3 years now and have spent a lot of time going back and forth between the two. I think the 1291 has a more open sound especially in the lower register. The 188 slots a little better in the upper range and plays with a little more resistance. I love both horns, its kind of like going for a drive and choosing between the Porsche or the Corvette, either way it will get you there in style.

So... do you plan to keep both long-term? Or will you eventually make a decision to go with one or the other? I've played the 1291 or 188 game for a while, too. My all-time favorite tuba was a 188 I played a few years ago (not for sale). Damn, that was a fine tuba!