I'm in the market for a CC, and found a tasteful Mira 184. I had a few questions; if any of you have played one, I'd appreciate some answers.
1. Range - Anything to worry about here? I've heard their lower range leaves much to be desired.
2. Size - I've read reviews saying 3/4 and others 1/2 (which is far too small for me) so... which is it?
Thanks again!
Jack Vandewinckel
Miraphone 1291 BBb 5V (please buy it from me), Miraphone "Norwegian Star" 283B
The bore on these is .705. I consider them to be a 3\4 instrument. I played a 1/2 size Rudy at Custom years ago and it really was a lot smaller. The low range works fine and is a little tighter due to the smaller bore but the horn will work fine. I have two and they were my principal horn for years. I still play them regularly and they make a solid quintet and solo instrument. Both mine have good intonation. You will enjoy the lighter weight too when carrying it.
ScottM
To me, the 184 is the definition of a 3/4 CC tuba. It's is more compact than a 186, but not much smaller physically. A good number of players really like these for quintet.
Question -- are phrases like "RAT", "peel paint", and "light it up" meant as good or bad things? I know the answer is probably somewhere around "if that's what you want, it's a good thing." Just can't read between the lines as well on the 184.
bort wrote:Question -- are phrases like "RAT", "peel paint", and "light it up" meant as good or bad things? I know the answer is probably somewhere around "if that's what you want, it's a good thing." Just can't read between the lines as well on the 184.
If the tuba will do it only when you want it to, then it's a good thing.
I certainly agree, but as an answer to a question about how it plays, I think it's kind of a non-answer.
To ask a different way -- does the sound get abrasive too quickly? (I think the Yamaha 6-series can be like that) Or can it hold up pretty well before getting edgy? That's more helpful IMO.
If you will read about the 184 I "lost" to a miscreant at a University, you will know I had a pretty high regard for that one I had. It did have some special work (vented valves and left 5th moved to thumb right) on it and it had a 2 whole step 5th valve. To give you an example of what you could do with that horn, we were doing Finlandia and there is a spot where the piece goes from a choral to the National Hymn of Finland. This is led by the tuba although some other bass clef people are playing, as well. The first time through, the conductor stopped and said to me: "Please don't drive this so hard. The violins have a lot of notes to play and if you take it away from me we'll have a disaster." My response was: "But I'm having a fun!" And I meant it. He and the rest of the orchestra laughed and I behaved myself after that. But, in that piece, at that point, it was all the tuba we ever needed as it was most of the time when a contrabass part needed to be heard and felt.
Always make a good sound; audiences will forget if you miss a note but making a good sound will get you the next job.
bloke wrote:(at least) old thin-wall/small bell diameter/handmade: "edge" morereadilythan 621...
...but ahhh...what righteous edge it is.
bloke "RAT !!!"
Heck yeah!
My old '69 thin wall 15 in bell 185 can really edge. We did a piece last year that had a section wanting raucous (I think it was the pie fight in the movie soundtrack for "The Great Race". Conductor demands "more raucous". Me - "you want raucous? - Raucous I can do!" - big laugh. It is so easy to step on this thing. Easy and glorious for say hitting a sustained low F with edge -just resounding. Not for everything but every once in a while when a piece calls for it - Awesome Fun.
Somebody gave me this and another of Don Ellis's albums when I was a kid and I wore them out. Great stuff. Forgot all about him. Had no idea Bobo played on Autumn. Thanks for the post. Now I've got to find them on itunes.
I had one in college. In a lot of ways it was the best horn I have ever played. #10307* built in 1976, long 5th, tons of blingy kranz, engraving, white plastic linkage ends....the works.
The newer ones don't play like that thing did.
* If the current owner of 10307 reads this and wants to rid themselves...........PM my azz. I'm retired and need to start reliving stuff before I start to forget serial numbers.
ScottM wrote: I played a 1/2 size Rudy at Custom years ago and it really was a lot smaller.
ScottM
They made both sizes, then?
From Lee's site:
Rudolf Meinl 1/2 size CC tuba, 5 rotary valves, 15 1/4″ bell diameter, .670″ bore. A truly rare instrument, this is the only 1/2 size Rudolf Meinl CC tuba known to exist in the U.S. and one of only a very few in the world. Imported by Custom Music Company, most likely in the early 1970′s, this instrument in nearly-new condition is being consigned by the original owner. An excellent instrument for solo- or small ensemble work, and capable of larger work, too, it is a little larger than a Mirafone 184, and sounds like a Rudolf Meinl. The original linkage is still in excellent condition – in fact, the entire instrument is in unrestored, original condition. It has received our full standard servicing here, and nothing more was needed. A very elegant tuba.
Price: $5,750.00
Not my horn and I have no connection to it. But it does look interesting. Lee describes it as little larger than a 184 which would make me think it is maybe right in between a 184 and a 185 although a smaller bore at .670 vs .708 for a 184 and .740 for a 185.
