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I haven't yet heard much chatter about the newest BBb tuba from Miraphone, the model 496 Hagen. (Say it like "hoggen".) This is a 5/4 size rotary 4-valve tuba and it is enormous. The Hagen 496 is 0.835" bore with a 17.7" bell, which is not extreme, but the body is huge. A 5-valve version may be available next year. I just received two and got to test them out. They play, I like. I believe these two are tuned for A443, but an A440 version is now listed. Those will have slightly longer ferrules on the main tuning slide.

Miraphone also offers a 6/4 size version of the Hagen, called the model 497. The 497 is nearly twice the money, but is closely related to Miraphone's other large BBb, the Siegfried. I haven't seen one of those yet.

Here's a 188 CC next to the 496 Hagen.



Here's a 291 Bruckner CC next to the 496 Hagen.



-F

must......... look............away............................................

Maybe just me... but I think the 188 looks better.

bort wrote:Maybe just me... but I think the 188 looks better.

Yeah, but nobody plays CC tubas anymore.
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The Hagen 5/4 BBb looks like Miraphone's version of the B&S GR-51/55 BBb to me, except with a larger valve bore

toobagrowl wrote:The Hagen 5/4 BBb looks like Miraphone's version of the B&S GR-51/55 BBb to me, except with a larger valve bore

I read this as: "this looks like a tuba that Germans will buy."

This sure is a beautiful horn, and I´m already looking forward to testing one.
As mentioned elsewhere on this forum: I like tall horns rather than chubby ones.

On a side note: If You want to pronounce "Hagen" the way the manufacturer does, think of the vowel "a" as pronounced in "sun", only 2-3 times as long.
Also think "g" as in "go", not as in "gentle".

I also am happy that there is a chance this German product most likely adheres to exhaust Standards.

I played one of these at a Miraphone stand at an competition in Czech republic and it surprised me how easy to was to play this horn. It is pretty light-weighted and has a fairly fast response. I believe I played the 6/4 model, though I am not entirely sure. It was enourmous, though. Overall it felt like playing 3/4 tuba, except twice the size (and "slight" difference in how much air it swallows).
Take this with a grain of salt, though, I am just an inexperienced student .

It's a Miraphone clone of the B&S...those Germans, always copying everyone else...

kmorgancraw wrote:It's a Miraphone clone of the B&S...those Germans, always copying everyone else...

Similar but different... Beautiful tuba..
Mark

Who else wants to hear one crank out low E's followed by low G's?

We went to the Miraphone factory this June. My son got to try a 4/4 size version of the Hagen. He really liked how it played. So if the 6/4 and the 5/4 version are too big for you, there is a smaller one coming out in another year We had a great tour from the person who designs there tubas. It was a schlep from Munich - but it was the highlight of my son's trip!

-michelle

The bugle looks simular to my 289

bloke wrote:
Their model 98 Siegfried sure is crazy-good !

Miraphone seems to be running ahead of the curve on upscale BBb tubas...

It would be very interesting to compare the Siegfried 98 ( which IS a marvelous tuba) and the Hagen 497 side by side.

I know, pics or it didn't happen...











-F

Beautiful horn....

It is possible that I will have a 495, 496 and 497 along with the Siegfried at Midwest this year. Miraphone is working hard at getting these 3 horns to me in time for the show. I'll try to keep you posted.

Roger

Bob Kolada wrote:Who else wants to hear one crank out low E's followed by low G's?

Raises hand: "Me, me!"

bloke wrote:Regardless of resemblance to a Markneukirchen design, originality, or lack thereof...

Man you think Americans are picky about silly things like the key of the horn you should come out here. I have, no joke, seen players out here not even pick up a horn because it doesn't "look right". First time I saw this was with an Alexander double tuba. Okay, well that is an interesting design so maybe I understand that. The last time time I saw it was at the musikmesse and was in regard to the Miraphone Siegfried. The guy was listening to me play it and I asked he he wanted to try it. He said "No, it has too many valves and doesn't look like a Kaiser tuba."

Part of me feels that they are releasing this line of tubas because they know that looks, for a lot of players out here, are just as or more important than how it plays.

I haven't played the 6/4 or 4/4, but I have played the 5/4 and its a killer horn.

From the Miraphone FaceBook page.