Tech question: Miraphone 1291

[Euphtub]

Are there any other guides that will fit the Miraphone 1291 tubas? I have a friend that is a band director and his school has four of these horns in Bb.

Just for parts (neoprene washers and guides) it's going to be $650! Apparently, the Miraphone guides are $32 apiece.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[crbarnes]

check with Matt at Dillon Music. He got some for me in the past way cheaper than that.

[bort]

They all need all new guides? Yes, $650 is a lot of money, but that's also almost $40,000 worth of tubas...

[Euphtub]

It's a school, man. When you're spending other people's money you get what you want.

[bort]

Well, if that's the case, I'm glad you are both fortunate and sensible enough to still shop around for a good deal.

When I was in school, I spent 2 years needing a valve guide for my Yamaha tuba. Never got it, but got real good at making sure the valve didn't spin around.

[Euphtub]

The school is in Texas. Those horns were not $40,000. Probably half that. Educator prices go to bid and then knock of a lot of the profit.

Different budgets for purchasing and maintenance. They have a capital outlay based upon ISD taxes for purchases. Maintenance comes out of the school budgets.

[Dan Schultz]

Are there any other guides that will fit the Miraphone 1291 tubas? I have a friend that is a band director and his school has four of these horns in Bb.

Just for parts (neoprene washers and guides) it's going to be $650! Apparently, the Miraphone guides are $32 apiece.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I play a ten-year old 1291 and the guides are nowhere near being worn out. Of course... in a school environment they may not last as long. I have not priced valve guides for a 1291 but it sounds to me that your repairman is trying to 'gut' you.

Are you sure that doesn't include chemical cleaning? I know a routine trip to the big box store sometimes also mandates getting soaked for a cleaning.... whether it needs it or not.

[Euphtub]

Dan,

Luckily he emailed me before he told them to do it! That's just parts. They hadn't even calculated the "labor".

I'm going to check over all the horns on Tuesday and see exactly what they need. Thank you for your help.

[termite]

Hmmmm. I had to replace the guides in my 1291 BBb so they can wear out. Try Matt at Dillons as already suggested. I have a feeling guides can be had a little more reasonably than what you've been quoted.

Regards

Gerard