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Mirafone 186 BBb (1970)

Are you selling this one for 1,500.00??

For a long time I didn't have ANY horns that hadn't paid for themselves; all of them affordable to cheap instruments.

Paid $90 for an unbelievably sweet playing Helicon from the estate of a 99 year old widow in 1983. She bought it new as a welcome home present from overseas for her husband who was in the army during WWI. He unfortunately made the ultimate sacrifice and she left it untouched in an upstairs closet in Winnetka, Il all those years. Other than tarnish it was like new with the only thing that had to be rectified was the snd valve slide knuckle had a big dent from bashing into something in the closet at some point. It easily brings in $2500-3500 a year from jazz gigs. Hadn't thought about it before, but 31 years X $3M/yr = 93 grand Not a bad return on 90 bucks.

Well I'm no whore, I give it away for free!!

Within the last year, had a $300 tuba (Yamaha YBB 103) pay for itself.

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Someone needs to point out the difference between "cheap" and "inexpensive".

A couple of years ago I purchased a Boosey 3V compensating tuba in excellent condition for under $200.00. Then a Miraphone 186 for around $350.00 and a silver plated King 1250 for $140.00 and so on. They were all easily brought into very good playing condition.

Does the low price I paid for these instruments somehow make them "cheap"?

I don't make much for my tuba playing because I mostly play in bands that provide a community service. (Playing in assisted living homes, parades, community festivals, etc.). For 3 of my horns, I paid either nothing or less that $50 to acquire. I have had to put money into some of the horns to restore them, but not too much. They all play very well now. I wouldn't say they are cheap (meaning poor quality), but they are inexpensive.

I don't get paid but I'm sure my $950 20J has been paid for in the last 5 years by the free beer at Oktoberfest.