SOLD - Miraphone F tuba (early 181)

[jtm]

This is a very unusual Miraphone F tuba in excellent condition. It appears to be an early version of model 181, possibly from before the 181 version that looked like a PT10 (given that it has S-links on the valves and other 181s didn't). The bell and bugle and overall size are a very close match to the PT10-style 181.



I bought this from @bort2.0 a few months ago as a first F tuba, so I could understand all the comments about love and hate for rotary F tubas. That worked great, so now I’m passing it along to someone else in the same situation (or whatever your reason for wanting this fine instrument).

Bort2.0's sale listing that runs down the pros and cons is here: /viewtopic.php?p=51809. If he hadn’t said it was Euro shank, I wouldn’t have noticed, since the only functional difference compared to my U.S. market Miraphone is that the mouthpiece sits about a cm deeper. Bort2.0 managed to get a better picture of the inscription than I did.



A thread about bort2.0’s early experience with the tuba and then also my experience (as a new F tuba player) is here: /viewtopic.php?t=4834. That thread includes several comments about the 5th valve that's like a slightly flat 4th valve (the way I adjusted it, anyway).

Here it is (right) next to a 188 (left, shorter and wider) for size comparison. The bore through the valves is the same size.



Some more pictures are here: https://1drv.ms/u/s!AjSV784Qkma_hdp7MAe ... w?e=yoaNUV

This tuba has a really nice sound with a beautiful high range and a solid low end (good false tones, even). Except for the sharp C (4th valve is good), the overall intonation is pretty good, and the high end and low end intonation is great. It's genuinely fun to play.

There's also an Altieri gig bag that's seen better days. It's enough to carry the tuba and protect it from scuffs, but you'll probably want a better bag if you carry it a lot.

Price: $2500
Location: near Austin, TX

[bort2.0]

I would never have sold it so quickly, except I needed the $.

And I would gladly buy it back again, except for the $.

It's not the world's most perfect F tuba, and I mean that lovingly and respectfully. I think it's a LOT of tuba for this price! I agree that it is a FUN tuba to play, and if I had it again, I'd have the 5th valve length modernized.

When I had it (and I expect no changes since then), it was nearly a time capsule horn. Almost completely free of any dents or even scratches, maybe one tiny ping (a "ping" is not even a "ding")... And Miraphone rotary valves that are as good as you think they are.

Not a small tuba! I forget exactly, but like 16.5 or 17 inch bell, and a . 768(?) bore, and 39 inches tall. Reminded me a lot of a 186 size, but obviously smaller diameter tubing and way less of it.

A really cool instrument, and I wish I could have kept it (or buy it again). But someone else will find joy in it, I am certain of that!

GLWS!

[jtm]

no longer on hold

[antmantuba9071]

I sent a message inquiring about this tuba! I am very interested and would love to try it out. I will put down and deposit if need be.

[EmptyCase]

Pm sent

[jtm]

bump for price drop

[russiantuba]

PM Sent