Bruce's Miraphone

The bulk of the musical talk
Post Reply
User avatar
edsel585960
5 valves
5 valves
Posts: 1507
Joined: Sun Oct 09, 2011 4:28 pm
Location: SW Florida

Bruce's Miraphone

Post by edsel585960 »

My friend Bruce Orlin, a long time professional player, passed away 2 months ago. His widow needed to sell his horns. The local music shop lowballed her badly and she isn't computer savy to sell them that way. Long story short, I ended up with his Meinl Weston 20 and his Mirafone. I'm pretty sure it's an older 186. It's roughly 40 inches long, 16 inch bell and BBb. Its too big to be a 184. What do y'all think? Here is a link to pictures of the Miraphone. https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipN ... BUNVBjdDd3" target="_blank I'd much rather have my friend back but if anyone got his horns I'm sure Bruce would be happy I did. Rest in peace my friend. :cry: :tuba:
Conn 20-21 J
Conn 10J, Conn 26 K, Martin Mammoth, Mirafone 186, Soviet Helicon, Holton Raincatcher Sousaphone, Yamaha 103, King 1240.
User avatar
edsel585960
5 valves
5 valves
Posts: 1507
Joined: Sun Oct 09, 2011 4:28 pm
Location: SW Florida

Re: Bruce's Miraphone

Post by edsel585960 »

bloke wrote:That 186 can be slicked out for not much money.
The bag makes a nice outfit.
The nickel silver mouthpipe is aftermarket, and (being nickel silver) rot-proof.
I'd guess (??) that the lacquer is original.

The MW-20 is more similar to the Miraphone 186 than is the MW-25.
I haven't seen a newly-fabricated MW-20 in decades.
I like them.
I added some pictures of the MW with the Mirafone side by side. https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipP ... JhwIK2UF6B" target="_blank They are aprox. the same size. I know it's not a 25. A friend has a 25 and this one is smaller. Due to it's age and the older style engraving on the bell just assume it is a 20. I think honestly it plays better than the Mirafone. Can get some good volume with it and it resonates nicely. :tuba:
Conn 20-21 J
Conn 10J, Conn 26 K, Martin Mammoth, Mirafone 186, Soviet Helicon, Holton Raincatcher Sousaphone, Yamaha 103, King 1240.
scottw
5 valves
5 valves
Posts: 1519
Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2004 8:39 am
Location: South Jersey

Re: Bruce's Miraphone

Post by scottw »

I assume it is actually spelled MIRAFONE, and not MIRAPHONE? What is the serial number? You can check that against manufacture year and get some information that way. But, as the bell is a 16", count on it being a 186. The 184 has a 14" bell, the 188 an 18" bell. Is it a BBb or CC?
Bearin' up!
User avatar
edsel585960
5 valves
5 valves
Posts: 1507
Joined: Sun Oct 09, 2011 4:28 pm
Location: SW Florida

Re: Bruce's Miraphone

Post by edsel585960 »

Thanks for the input everyone. It is spelled Mirafone on the horn and is BBb. I haven't seen many Mirafones up close. Usually out of my price range. I appreciate the help and suggestions identifying the model. Haven't decided what to do with them yet. Thinking about keeping one and selling one.
Conn 20-21 J
Conn 10J, Conn 26 K, Martin Mammoth, Mirafone 186, Soviet Helicon, Holton Raincatcher Sousaphone, Yamaha 103, King 1240.
Post Reply