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I've played both, but only a few hours (long ago & far away) on the yellow brass version. The gold brass version seems to my ear to be more mellow and less edgy, which for me is a good thing - This horn can cut through even large ensembles quite easily if it's pushed past the point of blending. I really like my gold brass 181 - it's not the easiest horn to play in tune, but the tonal qualities work very well for solo or small ensemble, and it's big enough to support a larger group if you need to -

The differences between the yellow and gold brass were pretty subtle, and I don't know if anyone out in the audience (in a large hall) would notice, but if you're standing next to it, or in a small room/studio/private performance it does make a difference. (My opinion only - YMMV)

A bit more information I obtained from Miraphone a few months ago:

...the 181 has been redesigned slightly in the taper of the leadpipe into the first valve. This was done in order to help focus and center the attack as well as to improve the intonation. The Firebird is slightly more compact sounding with a more centered low range, especially the low C.

I haven't tried both side by side, but I remember liking the 181's I've tried before!

I believe the 181 was actually made in 3 different versions through the years - the first looked very much like the PT-15's of the time, with the wide 5th valve slide and the 5th valve somewhat out of line with the others...Not many of these running around - I've only seen pictures. The second version was the one I have, with the valves all in line, and the slides having about 3" between legs (about a 1 1/2" radius on the slide bends), and the third, current version is the one with the Firebird valve section, tight radius on the slides, more compact. I believe that since the Firebird came out the 181 has become almost a special order item. I'd love to try a new one - does anyone know if the intonation improvements can be retro-fit to the older horns?

TubaSailor wrote:does anyone know if the intonation improvements can be retro-fit to the older horns?

I also have the second version and would like to know about any upgrade package.