(To me) unkown Miraphone Bb

[P@rick]

I can't find this model on Miraphone's website nor did I ever encounter this model somewhere else on the internet:
http://cgi.ebay.de/B-Tuba-Miraphone-4-v ... 4cf68eef51" target="_blank

Do you recognize it? Could it be a prototype or is it a model which is no longer in production?

[Tom]

I think it is a Miraphone 182 BBb tuba.

They were 3/4-ish. I'm not sure if they are still made or were ever done in large numbers, but they were a production model. I feel the 184 is a better tuba in BBb or CC than the 182 was. I don't think there was ever a 182 in any key other than BBb, not I'm not absolutely sure.

[P@rick]

I think it is a Miraphone 182 BBb tuba...

Thanks, you are right. I Googled the 182 and found it. Never seen it before. Thanks!

[imperialbari]

One noteable feature is the 1st loop sitting on top of the leadpipe like the 5th valve of some F tubas. I have seen a similar arrangement on two 4RV B&S F tubas ordered for the boys’ guard of the Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen. The purpose was a lowly set leadpipe for these young players. IN this present case the the leadpipe isn’t set particularly low. I rather guess the purpose is about getting the 1st crook high up for a more comfortable pulling.

Klaus

[Dan Schultz]

Interesting! That paddle assembly looks IDENTICAL to a Chinese one I keep in stock. Is this a new production horn?

Perhaps I need to rephrase my question....

Does anyone know for a fact that THIS horn (and it's components) are being made in Germany?

[tubajazzo]

The actual 282 is kind of an update to the former 182 afaik.

[Kevin Hendrick]

The actual 282 is kind of an update to the former 182 afaik.

Right -- the 282 replaced the 182, just as the 289 (Marzan-style slant rotor) replaced the 189.

[Chris Horsch]

This is indeed a 182-4U. I bought one from the BrassWind in South Bend 11 years ago to replace a 50-year old Alex that was gaining about 5 pounds a year. The 182 is a very nice horn. The first valve configuration is odd. It comes in from the Southwest and goes out the Southeast, unlike the normal coming in from the Northeast and going out the Southeast. Not sure why, but it works. The first-valve tuning slide is easy to pull, but the only time I do is for a low D (5 lines below the staff). Yes, the "3/4" nomenclature does not preclude a low D on this horn, which is one reason I call it a very nice horn.

[Richard Murrow]

Interesting! That paddle assembly looks IDENTICAL to a Chinese one I keep in stock. Is this a new production horn?

Perhaps I need to rephrase my question....

Does anyone know for a fact that THIS horn (and it's components) are being made in Germany?

Yes, I do know for a fact that ALL Miraphone components are made in Germany!

Richard Murrow

[Dan Schultz]

Interesting! That paddle assembly looks IDENTICAL to a Chinese one I keep in stock. Is this a new production horn?

Perhaps I need to rephrase my question....

Does anyone know for a fact that THIS horn (and it's components) are being made in Germany?

Yes, I do know for a fact that ALL Miraphone components are made in Germany!

Richard Murrow

If that's the case... the Chinese must be buying these assemblies from the Germans.

[bort]

Yes, I do know for a fact that ALL Miraphone components are made in Germany!

Richard Murrow

Good to hear!

[Alex C]

If that's the case... the Chinese must be buying these assemblies from the Germans.

An obvious difference between the picture of the Chinese valve linkage and the ebay Miraphone is the sculpting of paddle assembly. Notice that the Miraphone particularly has the fourth valve curving in and the entire assembly mirrors where the fingers lay naturally. The Chinese unit looks as though all four paddles just come straight out.

Of course, I am only comparing the pictures on the ebay site against the one in you post, but there are other differences as well. You may have another set of levers.

[Alex C]

If that's the case... the Chinese must be buying these assemblies from the Germans.

An obvious difference between the picture of the Chinese valve linkage and the ebay Miraphone is the sculpting of paddle assembly. Notice that the Miraphone particularly has the fourth valve curving in and the entire assembly mirrors where the fingers lay naturally. The Chinese unit looks as though all four paddles just come straight out.

Of course, I am only comparing the pictures on the ebay site against the one in you post, but there are other differences as well. You may even have another set of Miraphone levers that you are comparing.