eBay: Mirafone 188 $6,250 BIN

[arpthark]

Featuring Presto linkages and the long fifth valve:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/195587274219?h ... R-qy9LnUYQ

[bort2.0]

I shared a few messages back and forth with the seller last week. Seems like a nice person, very easy to communicate with. I think they're not a type of player but somehow came across this while shopping for guitars or something?

The advertisement mentions that it was checked out by a tuba guru ... That was Lee Stofer, whom he met any parking lot to show him the tuba, with the feedback that there was basically nothing needed to make this tuba ready to go

Based on the linkages, I'm guessing early to mid 1990s. Which is interesting that it has the long fifth valve in that time period, but I guess Miraphone will make you whatever you want

[jtm]

...
Based on the linkages, I'm guessing early to mid 1990s. Which is interesting that it has the long fifth valve in that time period, but I guess Miraphone will make you whatever you want

A fellow in my community band bought a new goldbrass 188 as a retirement present to himself about four years ago as he switched from being primarily a horn player (and sackbuts, for early music groups). He got the long 5th valve, and that was apparently not an unusual or expensive request.

[kingrob76]

This actually seems like a good deal. Given eBay yanks something like 12-13 percent off the top I suspect if you messaged the seller and offered $5,500 in a private sale he'd take it. Jan Duga has one just like this and it's pretty good.

[arpthark]

This actually seems like a good deal. Given eBay yanks something like 12-13 percent off the top I suspect if you messaged the seller and offered $5,500 in a private sale he'd take it. Jan Duga has one just like this and it's pretty good.

Good in theory, but eBay monitors messages like that now and you can get an account ban, unfortunately.

[bort2.0]

This actually seems like a good deal. Given eBay yanks something like 12-13 percent off the top I suspect if you messaged the seller and offered $5,500 in a private sale he'd take it. Jan Duga has one just like this and it's pretty good.

Good in theory, but eBay monitors messages like that now and you can get an account ban, unfortunately.

$800+ in eBay fees
Seller gets a 1099
Buyer (at least in my state) pays sales tax

Just isn't worth it.

Re: making an offer... I'm pretty sure I've done this exact thing before, where a post existed for a while and I asked if they'd accept an offer... then they edited their listing to accept offers, I made the offer we discussed, and they accepted it. No problems. It wasn't a tuba, so maybe they care more about the higher priced stuff.

I think eBay is MOST worried about people trying to strike a deal outside of eBay, cancelling the listing, and then selling it without paying the fees (basically making is so you can't use eBay as free advertising). That, plus they want to discourage sharing of personal information to prevent fraud, crimes, etc.

I'm not sure I'd ever sell a tuba through eBay. Maybe Craigslist...?
* Meet in the lobby of a police station
* Pay in cash
* You leave first

[gnimoyw]

Agreed. If I was in the market I’d make that offer, send a $500 Venmo deposit and meet the seller in person for the rest. Easy peasy.

[bloke]

presto?

change-o

[Casca Grossa]

I had one of these in the mid 90's. It was built around 92 if memory serves me correctly. It had the presto linkage. Mine was all red brass. Fantastic horn.

[matt g]

Someone swapped out the “Presto” part of the mechanism for R/C car parts and left the nifty paddles.

Probably not a problem, but whatever.

Correction:

Looks like the adjustable stuff is still there but the end balls or links or whatever they’re called have been swapped.

[bort2.0]

Lots of new photos. The angle from which they were taken makes it look really wide, compact, and fat.

I like it.

[matt g]

That custom Alteri bag is kinda sweet for an Alteri bag.

Great tubas. The best part about that compact wrap is that it works really well for strolling gigs provided one has a good strap setup.

Price is a smidge high.

[bort2.0]

Best part of the compact wrap is being a lazy slouch and draping your left arm over the top bow, as if you had to do slide pulling (but you don't). Love the ergonomics...

Carrying the tuba around on/off stage is a little harder with the compact wrap, but boohoo, something always has to be wrong!

[jtm]

Best part of the compact wrap is being a lazy slouch and draping your left arm over the top bow, as if you had to do slide pulling (but you don't). Love the ergonomics...

Carrying the tuba around on/off stage is a little harder with the compact wrap, but boohoo, something always has to be wrong!

You might like that Scherzer. The wrap is nearly as compact, and it’s a little lighter.

[bloke]

I owned one in the early '80s. It was probably the worst one I ever played. I've since played some pretty darn nice ones. I played one recently, and the instruments I currently own and play are so unlike an 88 that it really felt funny. I'm sure I could get used to one again.

[bisontuba]

Or this one..
..fyi..Dillons...

https://www.dillonmusic.com/used-mirafo ... -sn-13516/

[jtm]

That's an unfortunate bash on the side of the bottom bow

[cjk]

wow, that bag is hideous.