3/4 BBb Miraphone 4-valve, tell me more?

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sticky_valve
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3/4 BBb Miraphone 4-valve, tell me more?

Post by sticky_valve »

Hi all,

Can anyone tell me more about the model Miraphone listed here for sale?

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/harper-c ... 1014247476

I'm waiting on the seller to provide a model number as I can not quite make it out on the pictures. I'd go and see it but its about 1200km away from home.
Reynolds TB-11, Conn 20J, Conn 20K, Yamaha YBB103
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Dan Schultz
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Re: 3/4 BBb Miraphone 4-valve, tell me more?

Post by Dan Schultz »

The seller may not know the model number. Ask them to measure the bell diameter.

Subtract the fraction first...
13" = 183 (which it is not since the 183 is an Eb tuba)
14" = 184
15" = 185
16" = 186

(Not totally reliable but sort of a quick gauge)

I agree with Joe... with regard to other stuff in the images, I'd say it's a 184.
Dan Schultz
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Current 'stable'... Rudolf Meinl 5/4, Marzan (by Willson) euph, King 2341, Alphorn, and other strange stuff.
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Re: 3/4 BBb Miraphone 4-valve, tell me more?

Post by tofu »

The two guys above know far more than me about this - but I would agree it looks like a 184 mid to late 70's vintage. It's not a 183 or 186. The bell taper looks much faster/skinnier than a 185 and 185 BBb are very rare. Always hard to tell from pictures and without playing but it looks like a good buy at 1500 if it plays well and is in reasonable shape.
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sticky_valve
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Re: 3/4 BBb Miraphone 4-valve, tell me more?

Post by sticky_valve »

Thank you all for the info.

They are good!

The seller got back to me with dimensions, 36cm for the bell diameter which is about 14 inches, so likely it is a 184. It is also 102cm tall (40").

The seller also advised that he emailed Miraphone previously hoping they could advise the model number by providing them with the setrial number only. They could said they no longer had detailed records but dated the horn as being made in 1978 and would need pics and measurements to determine the model.

Thanks again.
Reynolds TB-11, Conn 20J, Conn 20K, Yamaha YBB103
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Dan Schultz
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Re: 3/4 BBb Miraphone 4-valve, tell me more?

Post by Dan Schultz »

sticky_valve wrote:.... The seller got back to me with dimensions, 36cm for the bell diameter which is about 14 inches, so likely it is a 184. It is also 102cm tall (40")....
The bore through the valves of a 184 is .708" (18mm) if you want to further validate the horn.
Dan Schultz
"The Village Tinker"
http://www.thevillagetinker.com" target="_blank
Current 'stable'... Rudolf Meinl 5/4, Marzan (by Willson) euph, King 2341, Alphorn, and other strange stuff.
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sticky_valve
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Re: 3/4 BBb Miraphone 4-valve, tell me more?

Post by sticky_valve »

The seller got back tom with a response from Miraphone after he sent them the measurements.

They advised it is a an "84A" and described it as a "Half Size" Tuba.

If it was closer to home I would go and see this one.

Thanks again for the posts.
Reynolds TB-11, Conn 20J, Conn 20K, Yamaha YBB103
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