Miraphone 191 CC

Eric B · Post by **Eric B** » Mon May 14, 2007 12:29 pm

I had an opportunity to play a 1291 CC. I truly loved the rich sound it produced. My only reservation is switching from rotary to piston valves. My hand started cramping up after 1/2 hour of playing. It seems to me that Miraphone needs to produce a rotary version of the 1221 and 1292 in CC. Does anybody know if Miraphone has plans on doing so? I read a post in the old TubeNet by Charlie Krause

http://www.chisham.com/tips/bbs/oct2000 ... 35641.html

that a prototype was coming in 2002. What happened? It seems to me that Miraphone is missing out on a significant portion of the tuba market; those who love rotary valves and the terrific sound of the 1291 and 1292. Mr. Richard Murrow, do you know of any plans for a 191 CC?

hurricane_harry · Post by **hurricane_harry** » Mon May 14, 2007 12:55 pm

as an owner of a 1291 i feel your pain, the only suggestion i can offer is to use the best technique possible when you play it. curved fungers straight down on the valves. Can't really half *** it with this horn. other than that its a pretty great all round horn. especially in that price range.

DaTubaKid · Post by **DaTubaKid** » Mon May 14, 2007 1:33 pm

There has been at least one other thread regarding people getting hand cramps and what to do about them. If you haven't read it, I'd recommend looking at it:

viewtopic.php?t=19985&highlight=miraphone+1291

I for one would be interested in trying out rotary versions of the 1291 and 1292 (though I have yet to try out the 1292 period...I mean to do so at some point).

Ferguson · Post by **Ferguson** » Mon May 14, 2007 1:40 pm

It's in development; look for testing of a new model of a 191CC next year.

Also in the works at Miraphone is a piston F, and a large piston CC.

Steve Ferguson

Eric B · Post by **Eric B** » Mon May 14, 2007 2:01 pm

That certainly is good news. I look forward to trying one out in the near future. Thanks to all for your help!

skinnytuba · Post by **skinnytuba** » Mon May 14, 2007 2:30 pm

I got those hand cramps in the beginning of my having one, and I really think they came about because Miraphone uses incredibly heavy springs in the 1291. The cramps will go away with practice as your hand gets a bit stronger. Unless you're completely dead-set on rotary valves, I would not let this deter you from these great horns.

Roger Lewis · Post by **Roger Lewis** » Mon May 14, 2007 7:47 pm

on the piston horns - CHANGE THE SPRINGS. Use the Yamaha euphonium springs - you won't even know you're playing the horn.

Don Little spent some time with the Prototype 191CC - fantastic was the report I heard about. Phenomenal player - everything in tune, excellent color throughout the range, wonderful low register with strong sound.

Based on what I heard, I would seriously consider this a contender.

Just the rumors I heard.

Roger "Crash" Lewis

Eric B · Post by **Eric B** » Mon May 14, 2007 9:17 pm

I always like to read your informative posts, Roger. I look forward to trying a 191 CC one day. Is there a chance they will make one with a smaller leadpipe and bell garland like the 1292? I will definately keep an open mind when it's time to buy my next tuba. I'll take some Yamaha euphonium springs and compare the 1291 against the 191. It sounds like a winner either way.

The Big Ben · Post by **The Big Ben** » Mon May 14, 2007 10:28 pm

tubashaman wrote:where can I buy those yamaha springs at

A Yamaha dealer. Pick yer poison or ring up yer favorite horn monkey.

Eric B · Post by **Eric B** » Mon May 14, 2007 11:28 pm

That reminds me of a joke my dad likes to tell.

The fall semester had just begun at Harvard and a freshman from Texas was lost on campus. He saw a professor and asked for directions.

"Excuse me, sir. Where's the library at?"

The professor responded pompously, "Young lad, at Harvard, we do not end our sentences with a preposition."

The Texan retorted, "Oh, of course. I'm sorry. Let me rephrase that. Where's the library at, Jerk!"

bort · Post by **bort** » Tue May 15, 2007 12:09 am

Ferguson wrote:It's in development; look for testing of a new model of a 191CC next year.

Also in the works at Miraphone is a piston F, and a large piston CC.

Steve Ferguson

Is this a Miraphone/Meinl Weston arms race? Which pros will have their names tagged on these models?

Sounds like a great time for us tuba players...sit back, save some $$, and watch the new options pop up!

Roger Lewis · Post by **Roger Lewis** » Tue May 15, 2007 8:27 pm

are available at the Brasswind. I will be there on Thursday testing some horns for a few friends. I'll give them a heads-up that people will be in contact with them for these springs.

I'm pretty sure if you call the Brasswind and dial extension 2236 you will reach Dan Carpenter of the retail sales showroom. He can get an order into the system for you and get them shipped to you. Dan's a good guy and a good friend - he knows what he's doing.

Any questions, give me a call.

Roger

Steve Inman · Post by **Steve Inman** » Tue May 15, 2007 8:42 pm

Roger Lewis wrote:The springs ... are available at the Brasswind. Roger

Quality AND Professional.

Ferguson · Post by **Ferguson** » Tue May 15, 2007 9:17 pm

Eric B wrote:Is there a chance they will make one with a smaller leadpipe and bell garland like the 1292?

Miraphone builds all tubas to order, and they'll customize it as you like. Just put a deposit at your dealer and wait, wait...

Steve Ferguson

Ferguson · Post by **Ferguson** » Tue May 15, 2007 9:19 pm

We also try to keep a few of those Yammie euph springs in stock, though I figured the tuba springs would be a better fit for those big valves.

Steve Ferguson

Roger Lewis · Post by **Roger Lewis** » Tue May 15, 2007 9:53 pm

I've tried both the Yamaha tuba and the euphonium springs and went with the euph springs. I'm too old to work that hard. I get great response, a super light touch, no bounce and I'm not pounding the crap out of my valve felts so the alignment lasts longer. I use the Yammie euph springs in my 1291 CC, the 1291 BBb, and the Yorkbrunner. I've never had a problem with any of them and the fit is quite good in the bottom caps.

Just my experience.

Roger

MikeMason · Post by **MikeMason** » Tue May 15, 2007 11:04 pm

ok, I'll bite.Why a 1291 in CC and BBb?

iiipopes · Post by **iiipopes** » Tue May 15, 2007 11:45 pm

Why not?!

poomshanka · Post by **poomshanka** » Wed May 16, 2007 2:40 am

Roger Lewis wrote:Don Little spent some time with the Prototype 191CC - fantastic was the report I heard about. Phenomenal player - everything in tune, excellent color throughout the range, wonderful low register with strong sound.

I know this may sound like a question with an obvious answer, but is the 191CC based on the 191BBb, or is it more of a rotary 1291/2?

Thanx...

...Dave

Roger Lewis · Post by **Roger Lewis** » Wed May 16, 2007 8:19 am

The 191C is designed to be the rotary version of the 1291/2 and to appeal to that market that is just more comfortable with rotary valve instruments. I feel it is a good idea to allow a person to get a great horn with either type of valves without sacrificing anything along the way.

Now as to why I have a 1291 BBb and a 1291 CC? I do a lot of brass band work and on the Yorkbrunner I would need to read the Bb parts in tenor clef, add 2 flats to the key signature and try to remember what the note is 5 ledger lines below the staff. Now I read it in straight treble clef (I am luckily fluent in that) pretend it is a CC tuba and the horn does the transposing for me. As I said earlier, I'm too old to work that hard.

Roger

TubeNet

Miraphone 191 CC

Miraphone 191 CC

Okay.....

The springs

Re: The springs

Well....

Re: Okay.....

Okay....