Miraphone Standard Eb

[Mary Ann]

Never heard of an Eb Miraphone Standard. Anybody? Three-banger upright valves but I know nothing about them. One available that I'm interested in.

[bort2.0]

I've never tried one, but I would expect it to be well made, play well, and limited by 3 valves. Depends on price... I'd guess it should be in the $600 range? Maybe I'm way off!

[matt g]

I’d agree that it would be well made and of high quality. Dunno about the playability part. For reference, Miraphone sousaphones were subpar some 30 years back.

Definitely worth trying out if it’s not a hassle.

Added:

If it plays well, that tuning slide in the leadpipe might be an advantage insofar that someone could affix a tuning gizmo to it in order to make up for the three-valved-ness of it.

[donn]

That's an interesting thought about a modification. Sort of like the trigger on a trumpet, right? Right off hand I don't think I've ever seen anything like that with a 3 valve tuba, and it wouldn't change my opinion about what a 3 valve Eb is worth, but maybe it would be a good thing.

I wouldn't expect anything in particular different from any similar appearing Eb tuba. If Miraphone made it, so what? You can't count on any virtue from old 186s rubbing off on this. Craftsmanship? Back in the day, they may have assigned this production to trainees.

Anyway, here's one from horn-u-copia -

[bloke]

Our high school got one of the B-flat versions, when I was in the 12th grade.
It sounded a little bit "grunty" (compared to the fiberglass sousaphones and the one very leaky King B-flat that we had), but it was OK...
...and I used it to play a silly theme-and-variations tuba solo with the band (as it was more facile than the King or the sousaphones).

It's just that - I've never played the E-flat version...and (since they can be squirrely) I don't want to attempt to claim that the E-flat will be OK because the B-flat was/is.

btw...The B-flat version (I believe Miraphone called it a model 1270) is pretty small, and somewhat lightweight...and capable of some lower pitches with three valves...(??) I'm thinking that the comparable Meinl-Weston model 10 might have been a bit heavier, as the sheet brass was probably a bit thicker.

Here's a sad-sack remnant (meh...repairable, I suppose...) of the B-flat (model 1270) version:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/255278338492

...and here's a smushy version of the competing Meinl-Weston B-flat model 10:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/255068731017

[Mary Ann]

Well, the plan is to have the seller play it for me (FB messenger or Zoom) while I can see a tuner, to prove that the open bugle can be lipped into tune, he actually is a tuba player who owns it (I don't think there is a question of that actually) and that the intonation is not "stretched" as I've seen in other instruments of this vintage. And of course I'd find out if it is at 440. Also will have him demonstrate the first open false tone, which on that, should be playable as an Ab.

As for the "only three valves" -- I am a horn player and accustomed to "only three valves." I make that work pretty well. If the slots are reasonably wide, you set the valve slides so that you can lip everything, and of course on the horn there is that hand in the bell, but frankly I rarely use it.

[donn]

Yeah, 3 valves isn't a problem if you're out to play strictly bass tuba, a compass that is mostly in the staff and not far below it. C below the staff can be pretty good. Below A, you're out of your league. Does anyone really play contrabass parts on Eb and get by with "false tones"? I doubt it. But bass tuba is a thing, or at least there's no real reason it can't be if you're really so inclined.

[bloke]

Most horn players use (defacto) six valves...plus their hand is a "tuning trigger".

[humBell]

Most horn players use (defacto) six valves...plus their hand is a "tuning trigger".

6 valves you say?

And left handed? Now that is talent!

[humBell]

Yeah, 3 valves isn't a problem if you're out to play strictly bass tuba, a compass that is mostly in the staff and not far below it. C below the staff can be pretty good. Below A, you're out of your league. Does anyone really play contrabass parts on Eb and get by with "false tones"? I doubt it. But bass tuba is a thing, or at least there's no real reason it can't be if you're really so inclined.

I am trying to get by with false tones. I suppose being amateur, i may not be in a context where my neighboring musicians should take me aside, shake their head sadly, and kindly explain its not working. I do think the tuba and mouthpiece combo can pull it off, but i may not yet be the musician to make it work. I also might not be the musician to do better than playing approximately in tune. But at least in the mid-upper registers, i got enough punch to hear myself when others are playing, and i hope that helps.

I will certainly agree that bass tuba is definitely the right instrument for some music, and is very satisfying.

[humBell]

And as far as piston miraphone, you can blame one of them for my indiscretions at tuba collection. I had decided on a 1 in 1 out policy with ~10 tubas, and a friend upright bass player mentioned looking for a cheap tuba to double with, and i came across $100 BBb #3, a top action miraphone.

Probably the playablest of the $100 BBbs right off the bat, too, leastwise if tuning to others is important to ya.

This here Eb could have potential...

Good hunting to ya!