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I owned a 1291 for several years, and really liked it. Low range totally roared out of the tuba, and it was exceptionally easy to play. I think the sound was not quite "right" for me, and not as "interesting" as my 188 is now. But it was point-and-shoot and still quite a fine tuba. I did the 1292 leadpipe swap, and it improved the response even more, and the "slotting" in the low range became easier. Intonation was very good before and after the swap. The current owner of that 1291, as far as I know, has really enjoyed it and has gotten great feedback with it.

While I owned my 1291, I tried several other 1291's and 1292's. Sometimes I liked the 1291 better, other times the 1292. I think it was good and bad examples of each horn, and I'm not sure my experiences led me to think that one was always better than the other.

I have only tried one 1293, and thought it was a complete dud. I think it was just that one particular example of that model, it seemed like it should have been a great player. I'm not sure quite how the low range of the 1293 would be bigger/fatter/easier than the 1291 or 1292, but that would be a pretty monster low range if it was!

Recap: 1291 and 1292 about the same (try both and don't pay attention to the model #), 1293 was 0-for-1 to me (not enough data).

Your mileage may vary, but these traits stand out to me:

1291 - large mouthpipe, has a wide velvety sound, reminds me of an American style tuba like a King/York/Holton, a little bit foggy and round to its tone compared to older Miraphone models, the tone leans a little more towards BBb.

1292 - medium mouthpipe, classic Miraphone clarity of tone and center, crisper attack, barky like a giant piston 188. There may be some differences from the 1291 in the bows, but I've never examined enough to discern the differences.

1293 - includes two removable mouthpipes, one each of the above, bell flare is a couple inches larger, 5th rotary valve is larger (from the 5V BBb), has more of a BAT sound than the other two, with the tone of a bigger instrument, the low range using the 5th valve is phenomenal, and I want to play as many notes as I can with the 5th valve - it just feels good. Can I play F#, E and Eb using some combination with the 5th rotor? If possible, it's satisfying. This looks and feels like a bigger tuba to me, though it's no more effort to play, and only the bell flare is bigger.

One trait shared by all three models is that they are fairly big, 4/4 or 5/4 or whatever, and they're big to get your body around them. Someone of medium or small stature might be physically more comfortable on a smaller body tuba. You know, if you're 5' 2", you might like a 186 or 188 simply for ergonomics. Off topic: if you seek pistons, Meinl Weston has something new now, a CC version of the HoJo BBb with a larger valve cluster, I think it's the 3450. It seems like a medium large horn for someone desiring a piston CC without such enormity.

Best,

Ferguson

Ferguson wrote: Can I play F#, E and Eb using some combination with the 5th rotor? If possible, it's satisfying.

F#-523 (I've always preferred 24 and pull for intonation)
E- 54 and pull (if you really want to use the 5th!)
Eb- 5124/534(ish). I sometimes play low Eb as a false tone on 5 on a 56J; I don't remember how these things line up down there.

You could also try tuning it to a regular note for the regular range.