*SOLD*1984 Mirafone 188 5vGold Brass "Anniversary Model"

[11annienorm]

I am selling my Mirafone 188 Gold Brass "Anniversary Model".
I bought this horn several months ago from BigNick. The horn is awesome!
I bought it in hopes that it would be my 'big" horn, but it functions pretty much like
my piggy.(the tuba was much larger in my head than in reality)
I would love to keep both, but with the addition of the Willson, one must go.
Since I will never get rid of my piggy and I don't need two tubas to do the
same job, the 188 is the one for sale.

The 188:
Gold Brass with nickel valve set. 17.7" bell, .772 bore. Serial 12727
Since I have had the 188, I have switched the leadpipe from a small bore back to an original.
I changed the linkage to the newer minibal system. All valves are vented.
When I bought the horn the 5th was an altered 1 step. I replace it with an original 2 step.
It has that great Mirafone sound and the low register pops.
Intonation is excellent.
Jim Willett of EKU recently played this horn and found it to be one of the best he's played.

The horn is in really good condition. There is a small dent in the bottom bow and one in the 1 branch.
(shown in pictures) The dents don't affect the sound and them being in the guards would be a
nightmare to get out.
Comes with a Soundwear bag.

PIctures: http://s1061.photobucket.com/albums/t477/11annienorm/" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

The horn is located in Frankfort, KY.
Price: $5500 or Best Offer. Free shipping.

PM me for questions and interest.
Thanks!
Norm

[bort]

This tuba is identical to my 188. Although I've never played Norm's 188, my tuba matches this description as well, and is an exceptional version of the 188, and an exceptional tuba in general.

Bump for Norm!

[11annienorm]

Thanks for the Bump!

It is a wonderful tuba.

[TubaTodd]

Since I will never get rid of my piggy....

That seems to be the reason I can't find a piggy anywhere. Good luck on the sale of the 188. It looks like something special.

[11annienorm]

Thanks!
My piggy came from Mr. Jacobs through Art Hicks. I added a 5th valve about 6 years ago. She is perfect!

Good luck with your Quest!

[niconitram]

Sweet!

just sent the link to someone close to Montreal (not a member of this board) who'd be very intersted in this horn

I'd love to try this horn!!!

[Bignick1357]

I sold this horn to norm a couple months ago and if I didn't physicAlly need something bigger I wold have kept it it plays and sounds amazing. Like he said its a great horn. If some one needs or wants a do it all horn this is what you want. I had great use of it when I was in high school and taking college auditions.

Another plus is norm is a great guy to work with.

[MartyNeilan]

I like MANY things about the 188. The one thing I have disliked is the ability for some of them to get very edgy above F-FF. A very large mouthpiece help but compromises everything else; these horns can really sing with a medium deep mouthpiece instead of a bucket. How much does the goldbrass help in that regard?

[bort]

I've never had a problem with my GB 188 (same model as this) getting edgy. Not even playing 1812 w/full orchestra. Plenty of sound, no shortage of volume, and it projects like crazy. Yes, you can make it crack if you really want that. It's just a matter of control and what you want to do. It breaks up less easily than a 186, and far less easily than a 184 (which can really peel some paint).

I also tried a GB 186 CC at Dillon's once, and that was a MIGHTY fine tuba. It was like playing a toy it was so easy!

I use a TU-27 Rose Solo with my 188... I haven't gotten into the mouthpiece game with this tuba. I could, I guess, but I'm happy enough and haven't bothered to change.

[11annienorm]

Bump

[11annienorm]

Bump for BEST OFFER

[11annienorm]

Bump for edit of main post. Forgot to mention that all the valves are vented.