New Miraphone tubas for 2009

[Matt G]

Here are a few horn-dorn pics of the new Miraphone 1281, taken by Noah Gladstone.

Thanks to you and your photographer for illustrating the value in high quality photos.

[tubasteve16]

Do you know if there going to have the 291 at tmea this year?

[J.c. Sherman]

One little comeback at tubalou:

Until about a year and a half ago, I would've agreed with you about the YFB-621. Then I switched to a Helleburg (now Faxx Helleburg) mouthpiece. All that has changed. I've played everything from Salome to Firebird with this beast. And it's a world better, and a great solo instrument still!

Mr. Lewis is right (was it him?); the tone is much less flexible than I would like (the same complaint I had with the MW 182). But I will definitely give this a blow when I get the chance... But I still would like to have my 621 AND an Alex F

J.c.S.

[The Big Ben]

Here are a few horn-dorn pics of the new Miraphone 1281, taken by Noah Gladstone.

Thanks to you and your photographer for illustrating the value in high quality photos.

Yeah, baby! I'm gonna print these out and stick 'em on my garage wall! No 'tool calendar' for me!

[Rick Denney]

Until about a year and a half ago, I would've agreed with you about the YFB-621. Then I switched to a Helleburg (now Faxx Helleburg) mouthpiece. All that has changed. I've played everything from Salome to Firebird with this beast. And it's a world better, and a great solo instrument still!

That's funny. I found that the sound of the 621 was everything usually said of Yamaha when using a Helleberg. I had a Warburton mouthpiece with a Helleberg rim and cup but a slightly smaller throat section, but have also played it with a real Conn Helleberg and several other imitations.

When I bought my 5-valve Symphonie, I bought a Mike Finn MF-4 to go with it. The sound of the Symphonie was so clear and colorful, and the Yamaha almost woofy by comparison, especially in the upper register. Then, I put the MF-4 into the Yamaha, and that's when the clarity and color emerged from that instrument as well. But it makes the low register a bit more like other F tubas. Even so, it still does not have the projection of the B&S.

Rick "fully prepared to admit that the fault lies with the player for these results" Denney

[Rick Denney]

Finally I decided to change for a B&S 3100 (PT10, no?)

No. The 3100 is similar to a PT-9, and has the original graduated bore down to the fifth valve, which is 17mm. The PT-10 has the large-bore 5th, and the graduated bore doesn't start graduating until the second valve (they are the same from the second valve on). That makes a BIG difference in how the instrument plays and sounds. The PT-9 comes with features that my 3100 does not have, including interchangeable leadpipes and two fifth-valve tuning slides--but those may just be for the American market.

Rick "preferring, of course, the smaller-bore version" Denney

[k001k47]

Do you know if there going to have the 291 at tmea this year?

I second this question.

[Kevin Hendrick]

Do you know if there going to have the 291 at tmea this year?

I second this question.

All in favor?

[jhickmott]

~

[Barney]

I'm going to revive this old thread, and ask anyone who has experience with the 185 to comment on it?

Just for curiosities sake.

-Justin

http://www.hornguys.com/hornsinstocktuba.htm#cc%20tuba" target="_blank

All the models mentioned seem to be in stock. Give SF a call.

[Dylan King]

I bought a 291 CC from Ferguson Music. It may be the first one purchased in the US. I love it!

It has all the good characteristics of the old 185s and the Yorkbrunner combined into one horn.

One of these days when I have some time, I'll post a YouTube video playing this tuba. It plays better in tune than any CC I've tried, and I can tell that it is going to be a great horn for recording and studio work.

Crisp attacks. Broad depth of sound. Fantastic dynamic contrasts.

And it's much easier to carry around than the Yorkbrunner. That, and the ease of water removal are much appreciated.

DK

[bort]

Cool! Yes, post on YouTube and show pictures here! Is this a "big" tuba to you, or does it fit well between your Yorkbrunner and YFB621?

[Ferguson]

I used to own and play a Miraphone 185 CC for many of the last 20 years. Miraphone said they get a few requests for some of the discontinued models, and decided to reissue the 185 and 190 partly to see if they could still make them. They've changed the way they build the tubas, and they find that good tuba design stems partly from the technique used to make them. There are several different ways to make tuba bows for example: 2 pieces of sheet brass, 1 piece of sheet brass, a straight tube, or a tapered tube.

The new 185 is a very nice horn. As I was testing one today, someone commented on what a great tone it has. In many ways, I think it's improved over the older models. The open E and 1st valve D seem very close to being in right tune without moving any slides. (The older models required the bass D to be played 1-2.) The general tone of the instrument is a bit smoother, and it doesn't bark so much. It also feels a tiny bit heavier than the older model, though I can't confirm it. The leadpipe is nickel, as is the small tube with the water key after the rotors. This helps prevent corrosion, which is important on a horn that lets water pool in the leadpipe when it's standing on the bell. (Tip: dump out your tuba before leaving it standing on the bell overnight.) The 5th valve is now a flat whole step, but they build these to order, so most any tuning can be had if you have patience. I don't care for the 5th valve wrap - it folds over itself like on the Norwegian Star, rather than looping down into the tuba like on a 188. It does the job, but it's not easy to pull, and gets in the way of my hand pulling the 1st valve slide. But, there's little pulling to do on this horn, so it may be a moot point.

I like the liveliness of some of the old Miraphones, even when they bark like a boat horn. It may be the different bow construction that has changed that. Trombones are the same way - many of the newer models have a bit more weight than the vintage horns. They blend better with the section and sound beautiful with little effort, at the expense of some character. Still, I think Miraphone has given new life to a good design for someone wanting a smaller CC tuba, especially for stand up gigs or smaller ensembles.

Best,

SF

[kingrob76]

Steve, what are your thoughts on the new 190?

[UTSAtuba]

Just letting everyone know that there are pictures of the 185, 190, and 291 at Ferguson's page. I know the picture of the 291 has been on the Miraphone page, but they have yet to put up the 185 and 190. Enjoy!