Dating Miraphone 186
- Yodachihuahua
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Dating Miraphone 186
Hello,
I am hopeful those of you with more tuba knowledge than I have might be able to help me find out approximately when my Miraphone 186 would have been made and thus it's approximate age. I unfortunately can not use a serial number, as the one on this horn was removed at some point (I purchased it from someone who purchased it legally from a music store, so I don't know when or why this occurred).
Pictures of the horn can be found here: https://drive.google.com/folderview?id= ... _9OxB6w9Ke" target="_blank
Thanks!
I am hopeful those of you with more tuba knowledge than I have might be able to help me find out approximately when my Miraphone 186 would have been made and thus it's approximate age. I unfortunately can not use a serial number, as the one on this horn was removed at some point (I purchased it from someone who purchased it legally from a music store, so I don't know when or why this occurred).
Pictures of the horn can be found here: https://drive.google.com/folderview?id= ... _9OxB6w9Ke" target="_blank
Thanks!
"Tuba or not tuba, that is the question."
Wessex Chicago Presence CC
Miraphone 186 BBb
Wessex Linz F
Wessex Chicago Presence CC
Miraphone 186 BBb
Wessex Linz F
- The Big Ben
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Re: Dating Miraphone 186
Some of them did not come with a serial number. Someone else is going to have to fill you in on the details of dating a Mirafone/phone.
- groth
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Re: Dating Miraphone 186
Looks to be late 60's or early 70's based on the S-links and other clues.
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Re: Dating Miraphone 186
Look on the bell krantz--it should say MIRAFONE, not-phone. It is also the smaller 16 1/2" bell by all appearances, plus the S-link, it almost certainly a '60's to 70's vintage. Dead ringer to my 1972 horn.
Bearin' up!
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Re: Dating Miraphone 186
My 1978 186 had the nylon ball linkages so yours is definitely older than that.
Alexander 163 CC 5V, MW Thor, Mel Culbertson Neptune, B&S Symphonie F 6V
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Re: Dating Miraphone 186
Dating Miraphone 186 is illegal.
Even in Alabama!!
Even in Alabama!!
I am committed to the advancement of civil rights, minus the Marxist intimidation and thuggery of BLM.
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Re: Dating Miraphone 186
It wasn't forged, so much as it was embellished!!
I am committed to the advancement of civil rights, minus the Marxist intimidation and thuggery of BLM.
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Re: Dating Miraphone 186
It actually is a 14 but it looks like a 19.bloke wrote:
so (ex.) 1726 becomes 17263...and an 86 becomes a 14...??
Allegedly...
I am committed to the advancement of civil rights, minus the Marxist intimidation and thuggery of BLM.
- imperialbari
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Re: Dating Miraphone 186
In 2041, maybe?bloke wrote:
bloke "I probably wouldn't be dating an 86 anyway."
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- bugler
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Re: Dating Miraphone 186
I have a 1974 Mirafone 186 CC. From what I understand, horns made for the American market through the late 70's have an "f" instead of a "ph" in the name. Also, my horn's bell is bigger than yours, so I am guessing that it is pre-1974. Looks like a great tuba.
Thanks,
Dan Bradley
p.s. Does anyone know when they stopped using the beautiful S-linkage on the rotors? My horn has it, as does the poster's.
Thanks,
Dan Bradley
p.s. Does anyone know when they stopped using the beautiful S-linkage on the rotors? My horn has it, as does the poster's.
- windshieldbug
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Re: Dating Miraphone 186
Dan Bradley wrote:Does anyone know when they stopped using the beautiful S-linkage on the rotors? My horn has it, as does the poster's.
FWIW: my 1974 184-4U CC came with the plastic ball linkage and all 4 rotors factory vented and still says "FONE"...
Instead of talking to your plants, if you yelled at them would they still grow, but only to be troubled and insecure?
- imperialbari
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Re: Dating Miraphone 186
Like B&S and Cerveny Miraph/fone used modular designs, where the basic acoustic design was the same through all model levels. Looks like WSBug 40+ years back boght himself an upscale version with upgrades like vented valves and more modern transmission. Possibly also with better alloys, Kranz, and more valves.windshieldbug wrote:FWIW: my 1974 184-4U CC came with the plastic ball linkage and all 4 rotors factory vented and still says "FONE"...
One US importer through a period sold cheaper 186 BBb basses with no Kranz and much less nickel silver. Irony has it that these basses likely were much more responsive, as they weren’t stiffened by the nickel silver elements. But of course also much more vulnerable to dents and bent bell and tubing.
Klaus