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Anyone own this horn or played the horn? How does it stack up to more popular models in size and sound. It seems like a medium large F, not quite as small as the Yamaha 621 or MW 182. Any information will help.

Does anyone have more thoughts about the MW 2182?

They're fun to play, that's for sure. I played one that had a really flat "a" top of the staff, had to be 1&2. Two others I've played did not have this problem.
For my money, the best F tuba in MW's stable is the 45/46 SLZ, it can do it all, gentle/strong, solo/ensemble. Dillon Music has a 46SLZ that is mucho funno.
Sorry about going off on the tangent, I know you were asking about the 2182. As an instrument for playing solo lit., outstanding. In an orchestral section setting, I don't know, I suspect it might be a bit undersized. Maybe someone who plays F tuba in orchestra regularly could chime in on that.

I purchased one of the first three 2182s that arrived at Dillon Music in early 2004. I replied to several issues brought up in a thread last year:

viewtopic.php?t=1478&highlight=2182

I personally love this F, though I have colleagues that do not feel the same. For me, the best way to describe one is a piston Alex F that is functionally in-tune. For the last few months, I have had the fortune to have both my 2182 and a good Alex 155 F in my possession. My conclusion after playing both back and forth most days is that the 2182 really is an improved Alex F with piston valves. They have the same bell, and similar dimensions overall (the diameters of both tubes of the main tuning slide are exactly the same).

The 2182 gives me the color of an Alex, with modern playability. I have used it quintet, for solo work, and even in orchestra with great success in all venues. Admittedly, the timbral characteristics are a little on the "tight, Germanic" side, which means it will never be as flexible as a larger F (822, 45 SLP/Z, 181 etc.) but for those who want a smaller F the only real competition is the Miraphone 281 Firebird.

I feel it should be noted that last last two principal tubists with the NY Phil have gone to smaller F tubas. The 2182 is Warren Deck's most recent design for MW (based on his tiny Alex F) and Alan Baer helped design the Miraphone 281. Besides Velvet Brown, Don Harry of the Buffalo Phil and Chris Olka of the Seattle Symphony both own and have performed on their 2182s.