Miraphone Sousaphone Bits

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tubamaniacRI
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Miraphone Sousaphone Bits

Post by tubamaniacRI »

Hey Now
I have a Miraphone Sousaphone and my greatest fear has been realized. I have lost one of the tuning bits.

I would ultimately would like to alter the horn so it would fit a conn neck piece and bits. is that a good idea or blasphemy?

Would anyone know where in the US these Mirafone size bits would be obtainable? I am in Rhode Island.

Thanks tuba peoples
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tubamaniacRI
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Re: Miraphone Sousaphone Bits

Post by tubamaniacRI »

Here are pictures.

I have a Conn here as well as misc parts. The problem is that the Miraphone pieces are smaller by just about the width of the metal. So they do not fit. The Conn is just a RCH larger than the Miraphone.

the bits are so small that a regular Bach mouthpiece only goes 3/4 of the way in.

Thanks
Greg
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Re: Miraphone Sousaphone Bits

Post by tubashaman2 »

.
Last edited by tubashaman2 on Sun Jan 31, 2010 11:52 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Miraphone Sousaphone Bits

Post by tubamaniacRI »

Thanks

The bits are different sizes that fit gooseneck and mouthpiece. it is the mouthpiece one that is missing.

They are smaller diameter by about on millimeter than regular US size bits.
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Re: Miraphone Sousaphone Bits

Post by Dean E »

tubamaniacRI wrote: . . . . The Conn is just a RCH larger than the Miraphone. . . .
ROTFLAMAO! I haven't seen or used that particular unit of measurement since I was an apprentice machinist, way, way back when.
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Re: Miraphone Sousaphone Bits

Post by TUbajohn20J »

could someone post a pic of a miraphone sousa? i've never seen one.
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iiipopes
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Re: Miraphone Sousaphone Bits

Post by iiipopes »

Here's a picture of an old one with clockwork rotors and what appears to be a standard 186 valve block:
Image
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Re: Miraphone Sousaphone Bits

Post by tubamaniacRI »

Thanks everyone for your help. the big Sousakontroller in the sky was looking down on me. I found the missing bit in my uniform pants.

Here are a couple more pictures of horn for those interested.
mirasousa6.jpg
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Re: Miraphone Sousaphone Bits

Post by iiipopes »

So, how does a Miraphone souzy play compared to some of the better know souzy cousins?
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Re: Miraphone Sousaphone Bits

Post by SousaSaver »

This is old news BUT Badger State Repair might have Miraphone/Mirafone Sousa parts.

OR

Conn and King bits do fit.

i will have some pictures of an EXCELLENT 3 valve Mirafone Sousa posted very soon for anyone who is interested.
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Re: Miraphone Sousaphone Bits

Post by funkcicle »

Bumping this thread because I have the same question and several years have passed since the previous answers... I just bought a 4v Mirafone sousaphone, presumably the same model as above (looks to be from the photos, though mine says "Made in Germany" under the logo rather than West Germany). No tuning bits, just goose neck. Can somebody give me pointers on how to go about figuring out what exactly I need and where to look for it? I've never owned a sousaphone before, and have been slowly been getting back into tuba after 10 years off. Thanks in advance, I can't wait to rock this thing! Here's a photo. These seem to be a rarity?

Image
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Re: Miraphone Sousaphone Bits

Post by bububassboner »

A few years ago while I was still stationed in Germany miraphone brought me out to help modernize their sousaphone model. We finished it and it was an awesome horn. Marcus left miraphone shortly after and the project was mothballed. God that was a killer sousaphone...


The reason for the story is that they still had all the plans for the sousaphone and had even made two of them. So I'm pretty sure you could email miraphone and get brand new bits made for your horn.
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