Chinese 188 clone?

[Casca Grossa]

This horn has been popping up on banner ads on my computer lately. Does anyone know about a Chinese 188 clone?

https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/ ... 13a0tyqNNB

Here is an ad for the 186 clone for comparison.

https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/ ... 13a0tyqNNB

I owned the 186 clone and a real 188 for many years, but that first one definitely looks like a 188 to me.

[arpthark]

That is just a slightly tilted stock image of a legit Miraphone 188, down to the reflections in the bell. If you look closely you can even see the Miraphone triangle logo.

It's based on this image:

[Casca Grossa]

That is just a slightly tilted stock image of a legit Miraphone 188, down to the reflections in the bell. If you look closely you can even see the Miraphone triangle logo.

It's based on this image:

Thanks for the clarification

[arpthark]

No problem. I've never seen a Chinese horn with a nice garland like that. I wish I could answer the rest of your question, but if I had to guess, it's probably a 186 clone.

FWIW, I actually think the 186 clone is just a bit larger in the bell throat than a real Miraphone, having owned a few examples of each.

[jtm]

With current tariffs, could they sell, in the U.S., a real 188 (from Germany) as cheaply as a clone?

unrelated: the 188 is still quite a nice looking tuba

[bloke]

I saw something that looked like a 188 flash for an instant and then it went to that other tuba every single time.
Maybe that is a real188, and there isn't actually a Chinese 188...??

[MiBrassFS]

When the Chinese MiraClones first came out, there were sellers that picked up that tuba players highly regarded the 188 and insisted that they were selling a 188 copy, which, of course, they weren’t. They also weren’t exactly selling a 186 copy either. My thinking is that these recently Chinese adverts are trying to capitalize on that bit of cloudiness about 186 vs 188 and it’s the same tweener they’ve been selling.

Or not… heh, heh…

[russiantuba]

I saw something that looked like a 188 flash for an instant and then it went to that other tuba every single time.
Maybe that is a real188, and there isn't actually a Chinese 188...??

There was a (potential) scam on Facebook of a group trying to sell clones of high end horns for cheap prices. Every time, the logo on the horn was blurred out. Sellers were based in China, and when one had either a Wessex or Eastman, it became obvious. I mentioned this and got responses back. I said there is no reason to blur or change the logo on the horn bell unless something shady is going on. Their response had a severe language barrier.

[kingrob76]

I find it interesting that there really hasn’t been a 188 clone…

[jtm]

I find it interesting that there really hasn’t been a 188 clone…

The 188 was just a flash in the pan, not as classic as the 186 and superseded (in desirability) by newer models?

[bloke]

188's are nice instruments and possibly overlooked by a whole bunch of people who might be more well suited to them than what they otherwise have chosen to purchase.

I'm going to admit that the last time I played a 188 it felt really funny, but consider what I've gotten myself accustomed to a giant and giant bore B flat, so it would take me a couple of days at least for a 188 to feel like a normal instrument to me again.

[russiantuba]

I had a student purchase a new 188 and it should be in this week.

Ironically, last time I tried one, I thought it was just OK for me. I thought the 186 and 291 were better, as the 188 was just in between both concepts—and I would rather commit to one of the others, personally. Then again, more of this comment is likely me trying to play it like it is a 291 or 186 instead of what it is.

Not every horn can be 836% perfect.