1973 Miraphone 186 4U or New St. Pete 202N

[greatk82]

I had a Miraphone from 1972 in High School and often regret selling it. It was solid horn, both in physical durability and performance abilities. I would definetly reccomend this of the St. Pete. YMMV.

[TubaRay]

I happen to own a 1974 Miraphone. Its intonation is quite good. I personally would trade my Miraphone for two St. Pete's.

[TubaRay]

I meant to say that I wouldn't trade my Miraphone for two St. Pete's.

[tbn.al]

I am biased because I play one, but for St. Petes sake, buy the Miraphone.

[tuba kitchen]

I would go for the mirafone - I also had one in high school, sold it, and still regret it. these are really exceptional horns.

the new "miraphones" are not as good...

the st. pete tubas, well....

[Barney]

Another vote for the Mirafone.

If you ever decide to sell the Mirafone, you'll find plenty of willing buyers, and (if you get a reasonably good deal) will get your money back out of it.

Selling a used St. Pete is a much more difficult proposition, and the resale value is decidedly lower.

From that pic, the Mirafone looks to be in good shape. Grab it.

[tubatom91]

I'm starting to believe the 30 yr old horn is better than the New horn just from all the posts i've read. How can a tried and true miraphone have BAD intonation. Would a BAD 30 yr old instrument still be around? wouldn't the problems have been fixed in all likelihood or the instrument would have been scrapped? If it's a miraphone thats 30 yrs old and still working, doesn't that mean it was loved intensely?

eh, I got my mirafone out of a basement were it had been sitting for about 10-15 years .(one bent valve casing later) the horn is on ebay (not mine) it has not so great intonation. But I would still go for the Mirafone you can always get parts if you need them.

[TubaRay]

I'll trade you a brand new, shiny St. Pete AND a BBb Weril for that Miraphone.

I rest my case(with a Miraphone in it).

[Tubaguy56]

perhaps im beating a dead horse....or a new st petes tuba, but take the mirafone...

[geneman06]

The guy is leading you on, St Pete has never made a good horn. The problem is that the bore is too big for the wrap of the horn which makes it difficult to find a good tone center. The Miraphone is by far the best buy between the two, i know many people that swear by them. I've played both horns, not side by side, but after playing a St pete ive felt like quitting tuba just because it sounded so bad.

[greatk82]

I had a Mirafone from 1972 in High School and often regret selling it. It was solid horn, both in physical durability and performance abilities. I would definetly reccomend this of the St. Pete. YMMV.

[windshieldbug]

The guy at the shop tells me these st. petes are new and improved and that they're far better than the Miraphone from 1973

This is not hard. Which horn do YOU sound best on, not him. If you can't tell, take along someone whose ears you trust. You're already 50% of the salesman by asking here, and we can't even hear you!

[pwhitaker]

I would like to second the above testimonial. I bought - sight unseen - an old (Serial # 66XX) recording bell Miraphone 186 4U BBb from the well-known vendor in Durham. I only play Traditional Jazz now and this horn replaced an old Holton sousaphone I'd been using for about 20 years with this group.
They (and I) were blown away with the intonation and clarity that this old horn has. I was so taken with this horn that I spent some of my hard-earned SS money and bought a brand new (sight unseen) Miaphone 1291 5V BBb. This horn is amazing.

I plan to use the 186 outdoors and the 1291 indoors. I wish I had bought one of these 35 -40 years ago, particularly when I was playing extensively in various quintets (I used some nice Eb's for those jobs - but a Miraphone would have worked just as well.)

[Steve Inman]

If you're looking for "big" then the Kanstul might be a nice choice. I've never played one personally. Lee Stofer is a trustworthy source for instrument repair, instrument sales, advice, stories, etc. I've purchased three different horns from him and have been quite satisfied dealing with him. Ask Lee for his opinion regarding your choices -- he is a valuable source of information like this, and has probably played every instrument on the planet at one time or another.

Cheers,