Looks like a decent deal on this Miraphone

[Heavy_Metal]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Miraphone-Tuba ... SwDFFejf0D" target="_blank

[Kirley]

I've never seen a Miraphone (MiraFone) with that little nickel silver.
No kranz. No embellishments on the ferrules.
It must be some sort of "budget" model.
Sad story if you read the description.

[Matt G]

I've never seen a Miraphone (MiraFone) with that little nickel silver.
No kranz. No embellishments on the ferrules.
It must be some sort of "budget" model.

Tuba Exchange used to import an "S" line into the USA in the 1990s. It was an attempt to be a bit more competitive with pricing, I think.

[anotherjtm2]

Tuba Exchange used to import an "S" line into the USA in the 1990s. It was an attempt to be a bit more competitive with pricing, I think.

Ding ding ding!

The serial number is too old for the 1990s, right? Not that they couldn't have had budget 186s before then.

[Kirley]

This one is clearly a MiraFone.
Much earlier than the 90s.

[Matt G]

Yeah, I was (poorly) implying that there have been "cheaper" Miraphones built in the past for certain USA importers.

Like a lot of things semi-custom, I'm sure one could've contacted the factory and had them build a horn or two with cheaper options.

[Dave Hayami]

Hello,
On my screen I see a very faint "1", 14129 serial number.
My 186 was purchased in 1976, serial 10xxx with the "small"logo/triangle.
In the late 80's, Tommy Johnson demonstrated a "186S" at the
SCSBOA(Southern California School Band &Orchestra Association)
conference. Lower priced model for schools, no nickle trim.
Of course he sounded great on it.
dave

[Matt G]

If the linkage is original to the horn, it has to be from the 1980s or newer, right?

Also, seeing the ball ends in that gray color, as opposed to white, reminds me of the CC 186S a friend of mine had in the mid 1990s.

[groth]

Serial Number indicates 1968. Likely the linkages were just upgraded to those miniballs later on.

[anotherjtm2]

Hello,
On my screen I see a very faint "1", 14129 serial number.
My 186 was purchased in 1976, serial 10xxx with the "small"logo/triangle.
...

Yeah, I can imagine seeing a leading "1". That would help.

My 1965 186 doesn't have a triangle at all -- just a serial number under where the bell attaches.

[greenbean]

Didn't "S" stand for student? This was a budget version of the 186. The current price on this one seems pretty high to me.

[edsel585960]

Hello,
On my screen I see a very faint "1", 14129 serial number.
My 186 was purchased in 1976, serial 10xxx with the "small"logo/triangle.
In the late 80's, Tommy Johnson demonstrated a "186S" at the
SCSBOA(Southern California School Band &Orchestra Association)
conference. Lower priced model for schools, no nickle trim.
Of course he sounded great on it.
dave

I too see the 1 in front of the 4.