186: POLL

[roweenie]

That case is interesting, but it sort of defeats one of the main advantages of a detachable bell, doesn't it?

[Voisi1ev]

Both bells are the original Miraphone ones.

We got the horn through a Federal Surplus program, so the case came with it. I assume it was from a NASA band that toured, thus needing a case to withstand a shuttle launch. It is YUUUUGE. Like they don't need to build a wall, just put that thing on the US/Canadian border and no one else is sneaking through. I'd love to sell the case, but not sure there is a market for it. I've put it on the for sale board before.

[MartyNeilan]

I like the new ones a lot, but I wish they would release a "classic" version with the exact, same bell used in the late 1960's (with CAD to sniff out any pitch errors that the bell itself might introduce). The new horns are easier to play, but boring, IMHO. So the modern horn from the mouthpiece through the upper bow, and perhaps the old style (and manufacturing techniques) bell and *maybe* the bottom bow.

If having to make a choice between a late 1960s (or early 1970s) era 186-5U CC and the current 186 I would probably opt for the "issues" and go for the sound and feel (and flat 23 5th) of the old horn.

this.

[iiipopes]

http://i.imgur.com/h53RQG8.jpg

Maybe it deserves its own thread, but the school I teach at picked up this horn a couple years back. It came with the recording bell! Makes me want to join a polka band. Plays like a 186...however you take that

That's what mine used to be before 1) it had the retrofit St Pete bell fitted to it; and 2) I put my Besson 17-inch BBb bell on it to turn it into a "Bessophone."

[toobagrowl]

I've only played and worked on one OLD (circa. 1960-ish) Mira. 186 BBb, and liked it better than the modern versions.
To me, it sounded sweeter. Other than the 4TH valve circuit being slightly too short, it played well in tune and had good response.