History of the Mirafone 188

[Trevor Bjorklund]

Do any of you know where one might find out some of the history of this horn, and/or of Mirafone in general? The interwebz isn't much help and, although I have read the lengthy discussion of the development of linkages on another thread, I can't find the information I'm looking for. Which is:
1) What is the timeline of the 188, from its inception?
2) Besides the changes in linkage, have there been any changes in the rest of the instrument?
3) Is there a "golden era" of these horns?

By comparing the serial number on my horn with that of a friend's whose was made between 1981-82, I surmise that mine was made in 1983, by the way.

Thanks!

[Norm Pearson]

A few random thoughts:

In the 1960's through the late 1980's Mirafone USA was located in Sun Valley California (really Los Angeles).

The 188 was in development in the mid 1970's while I was studying with Jim Self and Tommy Johnson.

Jim Self brought the first prototype to a lesson around 1976. It had a more open wrap and was taller than the production 188. It also had a vertical tuning slide and looked a lot like a Rudy Meinle 4/4. (same pitch tendency's as well, hmmmm).

The next incarnation I saw was at the 2nd International Tuba Euphonium Conference (ITEC) in June 1978 at USC. The tuba had been completely reworked and looked as it does now with a compact wrap and horizontal tuning slide. It was still a prototype but was basically ready for production.

The first run of 188's were finished in the spring of 1981 and sent to Sun Valley. I bought mine in June 1981 out of the very first shipment of three. The other two went to Steve Klein (LA Freelancer) and Michael Margules (USC Student). The first prototype was sold to Fred Greene (now a LA Free Lancer) and later was owned by Chuck Koontz. Roger Bobo, Tommy Johnson and Jim Self received their instruments from the next shipment.

The 188 is one of my all time favorite tubas: Great sound, pitch, response, Projection and ergonomics.

If you want to get the rest of the story you might shoot Jim Self or Roger Bobo a PM or email, they were in the loop on the development of this tuba.

Norm Pearson

PS the serial number on my old 188 was 10345 (I wish I had not sold that tuba!)

[bort]

Well, you sure can't beat that answer from Norm!

For history of the company, go to http://www.miraphone.de" target="_blank" target="_blank, click Company, and then go to History. I also think the downloads section also has a PDF brochure for their anniversary too.

I'm curious... what is your 188's serial number? And what are the surrounding ones you've compared it with? My s/n is something like 13xxx, and I always assumed it was made in 1986 (since it's an "anniversary" model, and the company formed in 1946? And another 188 I almost bought was 12xxx (which I think was 1985)?

[Trevor Bjorklund]

Cool - thanks!

Bort - my 188's serial number is 132xx and my friend's is 12xxx. I'm pretty sure he said he bought his new in 1982. I have no idea when or what their anniversary was and, for that matter, whether mine is a gold brass version or not. In any event, it doesn't have the color of my Bach 42B trombone, which does have a gold brass bell. I don't think it's an anniversary version.

Here's a picture of mine (you can see she's been through a lot and had a significant amount of work done). Although it looks weird in the picture, the bell is smooth and has no ripples or whatever. As this is my first tuba, I'm not terribly concerned about appearances and she looks more or less how I sound! One day, when I have the money, I will have her guards repaired or replaced and the last remaining dents smoothed out, a few solder joints redone, and perhaps have the whole thing re-lacquered or perhaps even silver plated. But that's another story for another thread!

[bort]

Well -- I guess it could have been any anniversary (there's one every year!), or, maybe it's just a name. I've asked Miraphone about this "Anniversary Model", and it's not something they had much record of, apart from special orders being common in that era. My guess is that the MiraFone USA guys in CA ordered a batch or two like this? NO clue. Here is what Miraphone did tell me about the tuba:

This instrument was manufactured with nickel silver inner and outer slides plus all slide crooks and bows being made from nickel silver as well (these are usually made from the same material as the body i.e. regular or gold brass). This valve section should last forever.

Oh... and it looks cool too.

rsz_2img_0618.jpg

[bort]

I like the yellow brass 188's just fine, it's just that the gold brass ones work better for me. In fact, I'm happy when people don't like the same things that I do. Less competition.

And I was also fortunate enough to play test several 188's when I bought mine, to re-confirm my thoughts about which style I liked best. The brand new 188GB was also an excellent tuba, but brand new tubas also have brand new pricetags!

[Raul I. Rodriguez]

Here's one I bought brand new in 1983. Serial 125XX

rsz_img_mirafone188.jpg

[iiipopes]

My only, and I say only, niggle with the 188 is that it is such a work of curvilinear art and engineering, that the "L" transition coming out of the block into the main tuning slide for the water key is awkward. Of course, I'm use to looking at generations of BBb 186's, with their "dogleg," but, then again, nothing is perfect. I know, it's probably exactly the same part as on the 186 CC, but with the leaner profile of the 186 as compared to the 188, it doesn't seem as awkward as it does on the 188.