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Hi,I was wondering if anyone on here can shed some light on a miraphone 4 valve cc I have just picked up. It was built around 1975 or 6 and has 4 valves. Nickel silver wreath around the bell with miraphone engraved along it.
I hear lots about 184 and 18? Tubas but I have no idea which model I have. I can't even find a serial no on the tuba. Does anyone know of obvious characteristics that could help me know what instrument this is.
Thanks

Pix! Pix! Also, what is the bell rim diameter and the bore of the inside diameter of the 2nd valve slide? If the bell is @ 16 1/2 inches across and the bore is @ .770, then it's probably a 186.

Thanks for that. It does have a 16.5 inch bell but I'm not sure of the bore size. I'll try and upload some pics but I keep being told its too large. (That's a first ).

craig2000 wrote:Thanks for that. It does have a 16.5 inch bell but I'm not sure of the bore size. I'll try and upload some pics but I keep being told its too large. (That's a first ).

In even inches (but slightly larger)
13" bell is a 183
14" bell is a 184
15" bell is a 185 (little heard of but they do exist!)
16" bell is a 186

You have a 186. Look under the logo on the bell for the serial number... probably just four digits if it's from the 60's. If there is no serial number on the bell... the bell has probably been replaced.

Details such as the linkage can help determine the age. Although... this stuff is easy to replace or upgrade.

If there are further questions.... armed with the serial number you can email mirafone (or miraphone) .de for an approximate production date.

TubaTinker wrote:You have a 186. Look under the logo on the bell for the serial number... probably just four digits if it's from the 60's. If there is no serial number on the bell... the bell has probably been replaced.

This is not necessarily true. Tubas made for the european market do not have serial numbers - my 188 didn't.

TubaTinker wrote:

craig2000 wrote:Thanks for that. It does have a 16.5 inch bell but I'm not sure of the bore size. I'll try and upload some pics but I keep being told its too large. (That's a first ).

In even inches (but slightly larger)
13" bell is a 183
14" bell is a 184
15" bell is a 185 (little heard of but they do exist!)
16" bell is a 186

Unless I'm mis-remembering really badly, the 183 had/has a 15" bell (and was/is an Eb) ...

Kevin Hendrick wrote:

TubaTinker wrote:

craig2000 wrote:Thanks for that. It does have a 16.5 inch bell but I'm not sure of the bore size. I'll try and upload some pics but I keep being told its too large. (That's a first ).

In even inches (but slightly larger)
13" bell is a 183
14" bell is a 184
15" bell is a 185 (little heard of but they do exist!)
16" bell is a 186

Unless I'm mis-remembering really badly, the 183 had/has a 15" bell (and was/is an Eb) ...

The 183 was indeed made in Eb. I've never seen anything other than a 13" (plus a dab) bell. There's lots of stuff floating around out there that was made for different markets or has been 'messed with'.

jonesbrass wrote:

TubaTinker wrote:You have a 186. Look under the logo on the bell for the serial number... probably just four digits if it's from the 60's. If there is no serial number on the bell... the bell has probably been replaced.

This is not necessarily true. Tubas made for the european market do not have serial numbers - my 188 didn't.

I'm not looking for an argument but I didn't tell him that there HAD to be a number under the logo... did I?

TubaTinker wrote:

Kevin Hendrick wrote:Unless I'm mis-remembering really badly, the 183 had/has a 15" bell (and was/is an Eb) ...

The 183 was indeed made in Eb. I've never seen anything other than a 13" (plus a dab) bell. There's lots of stuff floating around out there that was made for different markets or has been 'messed with'.

Good to know that -- thanks!

cktuba wrote:

craig2000 wrote:Thanks for that. It does have a 16.5 inch bell but I'm not sure of the bore size. I'll try and upload some pics but I keep being told its too large. (That's a first ).

Wow, too large for what? The 186 is pretty much the original do-it-all tuba. Big enough to handle most large ensemble work but small enough to handle solos and small ensemble work. If they complain about that again... I would nod, smile and bring your 1293 to the next rehearsal. They'll know what a large tuba is at that point.

Dude, maybe he means the pictures (not the horn).

I think Bob is right on that one. I have communicated with the OP about helping him with the photos, which will be presented when the OP is ready. The combination of the Miraphone brand and the location is interesting all in its own right. More to come.

Klaus

There can always be exceptions or special order items, but all the 183's that I've seen (including one that I once owned) had the 15 inch bell. The bell was the diameter of the 185 and valve bore was like the 184. Mine was serial # 1669, made in late 1960 or early 1961 if memory serves me correctly.

Richard

TubaTinker wrote:

jonesbrass wrote:

TubaTinker wrote:You have a 186. Look under the logo on the bell for the serial number... probably just four digits if it's from the 60's. If there is no serial number on the bell... the bell has probably been replaced.

This is not necessarily true. Tubas made for the european market do not have serial numbers - my 188 didn't.

I'm not looking for an argument but I didn't tell him that there HAD to be a number under the logo... did I?

You are absolutely correct. No offense intended, Tinker.

Hey everyone, thanks for all the info. Iv sent a couple of pics but it def looks like its a 1975 or 6 186. There is definitely no serial no! It still plays really well and is in fairly good condition.
And to cktuba, tubenet board was telling me the pics were too big.
Cheers for the info folks.
still a very good tuba for its age.

jonesbrass wrote:..... You are absolutely correct. No offense intended, Tinker.

None taken. Sorry for my being 'snippy'.

craig2000 wrote:Hey everyone, thanks for all the info. Iv sent a couple of pics but it def looks like its a 1975 or 6 186. There is definitely no serial no! It still plays really well and is in fairly good condition... still a very good tuba for its age.

Craig, congratulations on adding another another Miraphone to your roster. I can see you will now use the Besson even less with the 186 of a size between the Petrushka and 1293!

Out of interest, where did you find? These do not come up in the UK very often. PM/email me if you prefer to answer off-line