TubeNet

I just stumbled across article about the new Miraphone Siegfried which is a model I have not read of on TubeNet, so thought others might be interested.

http://www.domenicozizzi.it/en/2010/09/ ... miraphone/

Cool!

It looks like an interesting horn. The top tubing looks a little convoluted and tight though.

Even more interesting is the translation of the page that you linked. I loved the statement:

"The only sour note I would like to report, and that the Maestro Sabbatani confirmed, is the development of the rear bore size: uncomfortable contact with the body when it is being about to breathe the breath as our bellies enter in contact with the instrument itself does not allow optimum air intake.
In any case, the Maestro Sabbatani himself has already reported this problem to the engineers of the company that will soon be resolved. We must also take into account that generally develops a prototype 80% of the potential of the instrument as it is devoid of lacquer or silver plating and the welding is coarser than a model on the market.
Expect to see this new Miraphone prototype of the next exhibition in Frankfurt, will certainly be a competitive tool and a leader in its category."

That and their referring to Miraphone as a "carmaker." Still I'm sure it's better than I would do translating English into Italian.

Interesting the further description by Domenico Zizzi on Facebook - translated using Google:-

The Siegfried is truly an excellent tool. Compared to Fafner is much softer and easy to play. As you can see the sound development is remarkable. The "Fasolt" I have not tried yet.

I like the said conservatory having a professor dedicated to teaching Miraphone tuba!

Like bloke I doubt that huge rotor. My suspicion rather is that the 24 mm indicate the bore of the second branch of the main tuning slide.

Klaus

The more interesting thing to me is this picture, which also contains a silver plated firebird with the 5th and 6th valves arranged in the 'proper' arrangement like a B&S F tuba. It also appears to ho have a removable leadpipe.

http://www.domenicozizzi.it/wp-content/ ... e-tuba.jpg" target="_blank

cjk wrote:The more interesting thing to me is this picture, which also contains a silver plated firebird with the 5th and 6th valves arranged in the 'proper' arrangement like a B&S F tuba. It also appears to ho have a removable leadpipe]

http://www.miraphone.de/images/produkte ... 81B/3D.htm

Don't know about the removable leadpipe, but this is the same thing. Been up there for a while. I'd *love* to see a 188 done up this way. I would probably explode.

HI-
Looks like it is time for a pic comparison between a Rudi 6/4 BBb, the new Miraphone BBb, a M/W 197, and a Cerveny 601 BBb--or better yet one of those very old Cerveny BBb's that were the size of a refrigerator! Maybe at the next year's Frankfurt show--or the Army tuba conference in January?
mark

bort wrote:

cjk wrote:The more interesting thing to me is this picture, which also contains a silver plated firebird with the 5th and 6th valves arranged in the 'proper' arrangement like a B&S F tuba. It also appears to ho have a removable leadpipe]

http://www.miraphone.de/images/produkte ... 81B/3D.htm

Don't know about the removable leadpipe, but this is the same thing. Been up there for a while. I'd *love* to see a 188 done up this way. I would probably explode.

look closer. The fifth and sixth valve intervals are reversed from normal Miraphone practice. I would consider them to be "corrected".

I am referring to the silver Firebird on the floor to the right of the Siegfried, not the one on the table. Tubenet chops it off, you may want to right click on the image, and select view image (or whatever your browser calls it).

Aah. For some reason, I thought you meant correct = 4 + 2 instead of 5 + 1.

That is one awesome tuba! Can't wait to try that monster!

I had the chance to spend a little time with this horn at the factory this summer and I have to say that it is simply amazing. I have never before played a 6/4 where the high register was full and sweet sounding, unlike so many that sound like a bluejay f@rting in an empty silo. The sound is big and clean and the horn plays so easily.

The low register is extremely responsive - I mean REALLY responsive - with great and even color throughout the whole range of the instrument. The tuning was very good and it is a very impressive instrument. I believe Miraphone is looking at bringing the prototype to the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinics in Chicago this December, so bring your mouthpieces.

Just my observations.

Roger

Roger Lewis wrote:I had the chance to spend a little time with this horn at the factory this summer and I have to say that it is simply amazing. I have never before played a 6/4 where the high register was full and sweet sounding, unlike so many that sound like a bluejay f@rting in an empty silo. The sound is big and clean and the horn plays so easily.

The low register is extremely responsive - I mean REALLY responsive - with great and even color throughout the whole range of the instrument. The tuning was very good and it is a very impressive instrument. I believe Miraphone is looking at bringing the prototype to the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinics in Chicago this December, so bring your mouthpieces.

Just my observations.

Roger

So, are there any thoughts of a CC version, piston version, etc - is this the start of a whole new family of horns, or just a one-off model?

Hi Marty.

There is a 6/4 CC piston horn in development now and getting better. It was at ITEC in May. I don't know if there will be a family, but Miraphone is continuing to work towards new models to fill gaps in the current horn markets. I just know that people are going to like the way this horn plays.

Time will tell.

Roger

Is this Miraphone's answer to the new GR55?

It's nice to see Miraphone getting into the 6/4 market, MW has been cranking them out lately. B&S too

Please don't take this as a troll, but do you think BBb contrabasses will have a "come back"? Aka, more common than CC in the "professional" world...

Joseph "I hope my wording didn't suck..."

I highly doubt that the US tuba market for CC's will fall much, but more 'professional' level BBb options will make BBb's more appealing to the College bound/in College market. CC's will always be popular here and BBb's will always be popular there, but more options might make the gap a lot smaller on both sides of the pond.

This looks just like what I need for brass band and wind ensemble. Could I please put my order in now for the piston version?

Regards

Gerard