FS: 1965 Miraphone 186 BBb with two bells

[anotherjtm2]

Here's a 1965 Miraphone Bb 186 with two detachable bells. The recording bell is original, and the upright bell is cut from a Yamaha 201 by Dan Schultz last year (so it's a perfect fit). There are two main tuning slides: the original and a new one that's a few inches longer to compensate for the shorter upright bell. The combination of upright bell and longer tuning slide pretty much corrects the typical 186 flat D and Db, and I've really liked that combination. It has a lengthened 4th valve slide, long enough for 4th valve notes to be in tune.

This tuba spent its first 30-something years in an Arizona public school, so it's a little ... rumpled. There's a dent at the bottom bow (see pictures) and various nicks and bumps elsewhere. All the small tubing is good, the slides are straight, and the valves are brilliant -- smooth, fast, and quiet.

This horn was my ticket back to tuba playing last year, but I'm enjoying smaller tubas, now, and I hate to see this not being played, so it's time to pass it along.

Price: $2700, plus any shipping. It's in Austin, Texas, and I can drive some to meet you. PM for more information.

More pictures: https://1drv.ms/u/s!AjSV784Qkma_hdhxqkt ... A?e=ThMvXk

[anotherjtm2]

SWEET!

Thanks, Doc! I took looked a those pictures afterward and thought, "That's pretty cool. Maybe I should keep it...."

[anotherjtm2]

Bump with a less aspirational price.

[anotherjtm2]

Confirmed today: very nice open low end; not stuffy at all. And valves so quick you don't even think about them.

I pretty much put this tuba away in December when I got a C tuba to learn. At the time, I thought the 186 was feeling a little stuffy and reluctant. Turns out it was me; I needed to get back in playing condition. After that happened, the horn is great.

[anotherjtm2]

Bump for a dependable tuba that's also a little different and interesting.

[anotherjtm2]

Bump for a pretty good all 'round tuba.

In another discussion, there was this discouraging tidbit:

... instruments like miraphone and hirsbrunner are things of the past unless you live in Europe in which case Miraphone might still be a thing....

But the reality is more like this, which describes this tuba pretty well:

We've had the discussions about instruments that are easily recommendable because they are generally easy to play by most players (although individuals might find something that suits them better). That's where the "186" rubber stamp used in many threads came from. A 186 BBb is pretty easily played by most anyone (186CC also). It may not be ideal for everyone or every circumstance, but it's pretty accessible, and it sounds reasonably good in the hands of most everyone. It's not mouthpiece sensitive, it's not too big or too small, and a used one in good condition is usually affordable. They may not be as in vogue as in times past, but they are still a good instrument.

[anotherjtm2]

It's been three weeks, so ... bump.

[anotherjtm2]

bump
just for fun, really