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Are Miraphone flugelhorns any good? (Or in general, are their non-tuba/euph) products or equal quality for their respective instruments?

I've been looking for a flugel for a little while, my wife wants one. I found a good deal on a piston Miraphone, but is more than I initially wanted to spend. However, if all of their brasses are superb, I can justify spending more.

Any thoughts?

bort wrote:Are Miraphone flugelhorns any good? (Or in general, are their non-tuba/euph) products or equal quality for their respective instruments?

I've been looking for a flugel for a little while, my wife wants one. I found a good deal on a piston Miraphone, but is more than I initially wanted to spend. However, if all of their brasses are superb, I can justify spending more.

Any thoughts?

Let's think about this: You just bought a new tuba? Now your wife wants a flugel? Hmmm?

In the orchestral trumpet world, the rotary-valved Miraphone trumpets are generally not considered very highly.

Somewhat of an exception is the 4-valve Miraphone flugelhorn. I have an older one of these (3-digit serial number). I know Frank Kaderabek (formerly of Chicago, Detroit, and Philadelphia orchestras) uses one, too. Some like them on the posthorn solo from Mahler's 3rd.

A flugel in orchestra, shows, and jazz is a solo instrument. It doesn't have to blend within a section of flugels. I have gotten compliments on the sound of my Miraphone, but it is noticeably darker and a different sound from traditional piston flugels like Yamaha.

I am afraid that I know nothing about opinions on Miraphone piston trumpets and flugelhorns.

Depending upon what you want to spend for a piston flugel, the Dillon and Austin Custom Brass branded Chinese flugels are considered good values for under $500. Used Yamahas are readily available probably from $700-1400 or so and are very common choice for beginners through pros. At the upper end of that you get into the price of new Carolbrass and Jupiter instruments and prices go up and up from there.