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Just saw this on Dillon's website... good looking old 186 with the 16.5" bell.

http://www.dillonmusic.com/p-19091-miraphone-186.aspx" target="_blank

Well, the 186 is gone, but there's cool goldbrass 181 up there now. Totally wish I had the money for this!

http://www.dillonmusic.com/p-19115-miraphone-181.aspx" target="_blank

Stryk wrote:Since this started as a 186 thread, I will ask here. I have a 70 something 186 - took the school 2000 186 home and sat them side by side. The bells are different sizes - is this common? I haven't measured, but I think the newer one is a good 2 inches larger than the old one.

Yes - the bells through the years have gotten bigger. I think now they are 17.5" for the 186. My 1969 185 has a 15 in. bell and I think the new 185's are 16.5" The bell size progression through the years has been across the lines 184/185/186/187/188. Although it has been my understanding that Miraphone would build you whatever you wanted through the years. I bet you also noticed that your old 186 has thinner brass than the newer ones.

tofu wrote:

Stryk wrote:Since this started as a 186 thread, I will ask here. I have a 70 something 186 - took the school 2000 186 home and sat them side by side. The bells are different sizes - is this common? I haven't measured, but I think the newer one is a good 2 inches larger than the old one.

Yes - the bells through the years have gotten bigger. I think now they are 17.5" for the 186. My 1969 185 has a 15 in. bell and I think the new 185's are 16.5" The bell size progression through the years has been across the lines 184/185/186/187/188. Although it has been my understanding that Miraphone would build you whatever you wanted through the years. I bet you also noticed that your old 186 has thinner brass than the newer ones.

I have no personal experience or expertise on the issue but if you search the archives, there are lots of great players on this board who strongly prefer the older 186 with the thinner metal and smaller bell.