What has happened to the Miraphone 188?

[Billy M.]

Ok, I think I must've missed something... but what has happened to the Miraphone 188?

This horn that used to have a coveted position of being one of the most in-tune and even playing horns in the field has become a hard to find commodity.

I don't see many retailers carrying it in stock very often and it seems there's a waiting period on most places that do carry it.

Has Miraphone abandoned their excellent 4/4+ rotor horn for the 1291? (not to say the 1291 is a bad horn, it's great)

[Ace]

Dillon's carries the Miraphone 188 CC tuba and the 1291.
They are about the same price-----$7500 range.

http://www.dillonmusic.com/HeleoCart/Pr ... hIk2jW4%3d

Brasswind also carries these instruments, but I see that the 188 is "on order".

[jonesbrass]

Agreed- the 188 is a pretty great horn. I think that the absence of the horn has more to do with the retailers than with Miraphone, but that's just my opinion. If they are in demand, perhaps they sell out quickly (which could be right, given their reputation and relatively low price point) or most retailers are not willing or able to carry a whole lot of tubas due to high cost of inventory, taxes, etc.
On the other hand, Miraphone is a factory. Perhaps they are churning out a batch of other horns, ie the 186 BBb or the 1291. I'd have to venture a guess that the BBb horns sell more frequently than the CCs, and they may not set up the tooling and dies to make the 188 as often.
Don't worry. I don't think they've stopped making them. You can get one if you're willing to wait.

[tubathig]

My guess is that (in spite of the to-die-for intonation) the instrument is passed over due to several factors:

- The low register doesn't "pop" as easily as a few other models.

- The overall sound is quite "clear" rather than "round" ( ' out of vogue...??).

- Rotors are considered "out-of-vogue" and "student" by many.

- Miraphone is considered "out-of-vogue" and "student" by many.

- There isn't one highly-influential teacher who pushes their students to buy this make...There was in the past, but I'm not sure of the quantity of national influence that particular teacher may still garner
.

Winston Morris still promotes Miraphone, and I would think he would be considered highly influential, I don't know how many of his students are playing Miraphone right now, but the last time I saw his ensemble there sure were a lot of 186's and 188's in it, and he plays a 188 himself. I know that the rotors are out of style right now, but it goes in cycles, just like popularity of instruments makes and models... And Bloke may be referring to Mr. Morris, but its a cycle and it will probably come back around

[Naptown Tuba]

Just FYI, Mr. Morris is a member of the "Modern Jazz Tuba Project" which is sponsored by Miraphone.

[jonesbrass]

My guess is that (in spite of the to-die-for intonation) the instrument is passed over due to several factors:

- The low register doesn't "pop" as easily as a few other models.

- The overall sound is quite "clear" rather than "round" ( ' out of vogue...??).

- Rotors are considered "out-of-vogue" and "student" by many.

- Miraphone is considered "out-of-vogue" and "student" by many.

- There isn't one highly-influential teacher who pushes their students to buy this make...There was in the past, but I'm not sure of the quantity of national influence that particular teacher may still garner.

In other words, no snob appeal?

Cool.

[bigboymusic]

Also, I think most will agree that for years and years there were not near the choices there are now for a 4/4 axe. When I was in HS in the early 80's, the only NEW CC's that you saw on a regular basis were 188's, 186's, Meinl Weston 32's, HB 1's & 2's, and some 4/4 and 3/4 Rudy's. Mostly you saw kids buying used Alex's, used 188's, and used HB 1's. Now there are so many options that play well. I would kill to go back to my senior year getting ready for college with the options there are today (at 1986 prices!!!!!) I could have handled a cheap Thor 20 years ago!

For those that can remember, I bought my first new tuba (MW 25 with larger bell) for 1995.00. I also bought a YEB321S for 1450.00. Back when WWBW had the 'tuba dungeon' in the basement......

[Chen]

Competition is stiff. When buy new, the PT-20 is within reach and most would probably go for the newer design and endorsement of PT-20 and yeah, Miraphone isn't exactly cool, it's old school. And when buying used, Hirsbrunner HB-2 is within reach. (For just a few hundred more I can get this....and another several hundred I can get that....you know how it is)

[MartyNeilan]

Hmm...what's the third strike?

Doc (happily out-of-vogue)

That moustache?