Miraphone (new model) 494 B-flat compared to Miraphone (established model) 282 B-flat

[bloke]

Miraphone F tubas:
just as well-made (various models) as everything else Miraphone mades, but (me...??) I've just never played one (nor too many other F tubas) whereby the second-space C didn't require a good bit of attention.

Your quips make me feel lucky I found one. Open C in the staff can be made to go sharp (more easily than if played on 4th valve, for example), but it doesn’t go sharp on its own; the natural tendency is to be in tune with the Fs above and below it. This is the 181 style that they didn’t make very long, shaped like a PT-10 except that the valves aren’t graduated. I was told that Dave Kirk had it for a while.

I had one of those B&S-like Miraphone F tubas, and also owned a B&S Symphonie (still owned today) at the same time.
I sold the Miraphone to a friend who kept it for a while.
It was a good bit of work for me to play.
I'm pretty sure that it was even larger than a PT-15, because I have an easier time making a PT-15 "go" than that particular instrument.

Even some PT-15 tubas feature a tendency for that C to ride sharp. I can't explain it, but I have to play it with a certain "embouchure" (DIFFERENT from "lipping") to get that pitch in tune - when playing quite a few PT-15's.

[jtm]

...
I had one of those B&S-like Miraphone F tubas, and also owned a B&S Symphonie (still owned today) at the same time.
I sold the Miraphone to a friend who kept it for a while.
It was a good bit of work for me to play.
…

Now you’ve got me trying to imagine something that’s even less work to play than this Miraphone. Maybe I just don’t notice it’s hard because I’m used to it? Or that I haven't tried the thing that will be even better and less work.

Now I'll never be satisfied.

[bloke]

A whole bunch of people rave about that 281 model, which has been out for some time. I've played two or three of them.

I'm sure you have stated which Miraphone F to be you have, but I don't remember.

[PlayTheTuba]

Sorry for responding late. I've been a bit busy, technically still am haha.

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I'd say the 494 is the best smaller than a "4/4" tuba available ever that I have played so far... if my memories are correct from other past tuba models i have tried.

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My recollection of the Miraphone 282 is what a really good "3/4" tuba would play like. Sound wise, it was brighter compared to the Meinl Weston 18 and maybe even other 3/4 sized tubas. It's been years since I've played both tubas, so my memory is a bit fuzzy.

Although, I wonder what I perceive as "brighter" could just be the higher overtones being more resonant... And not actually brighter per say. When comparing the same models to each other and picking the best one of the bunch...

I got to try the Josef Lidl LBB701-4 3/4 BBb tuba this year too. I think I would take the Mraphone 282 over the Lidl 3/4. The Lidl 3/4 BBb is good, but after years of wondering how it would play, it ended just being fine. Good horn, but doesn't stand out as much as I thought it would.

I also tried the Miraphone 494 this past years Army Band Conference. I enjoyed it immensley.

The 494 tuba, in my opinion, is quite efficient. To the point if you play blatty, the tuba will play blatty. The 494, if you ignore the tone and size in front of you, feels like playing a bigger tuba but in a good way. The 494 deosn't "feel" as restrictive as other 3/4 and even a 7/8 tubas do.

Between the 494 and 282, ignoring costs, availability, etc, I'd choose and recommend the 494 every time. If my memories for the 282 are correct. I believe majority of people would be happier to have the 494. I think the 494 sounds great overall too. Actually, I'd say the 494 is the best smaller than a "4/4" tuba available ever... Unless someone spends a fortune on a completely custom Thein...

BUT, just to throw a wrench into this, if you're only going to play and perform solos on a BBb tuba... The sound that the 282 is probably better suited for that singular purpose... Maybe. Miraphone or tuba sellers just needs to bring both models to next year's Army Conference so I can compare them side by side

Side note, I never got to try the Kanstul 3/4 tubas though

Also, I rank the 496 5/4 is the best of the Hagen family. And so far, I would rank the newest Hagen family member, the 3/4 494 Hagen, just below its 5/4 family member. I think the 5/4 is really good, so it's closest runner up, the 494 is also really good too.

[bloke]

If the Cerveny Arion plays as good, sounds the same, plays as in-tune, and is as well-made as the JP knock-off (JP379B), I would put that up against a 282 (as a serious "best 3/4 B-flat" contender). The JP379B resonance (and hopefully the Arion) is less bright, the intonation characteristics are just as good, the shape is more compact, and there's room (in the normal place on a rotary tuba) for a 5th rotor to be added easily. I'm sure I wouldn't be looking towards a "vintage" Arion (one from several decades ago), unless crazy cheap, because probably the first thing that I would do would be to discard and replace the linkage.

[PlayTheTuba]

@bloke Can't argue against that. The JP379B should definitely be on anyone's list of 3/4 tubas to try or buy. I know or at least I think I have mentioned that I am not the biggest fan of the Meinl Weston BBb's but I do remember liking the 18 though. To me, I think the 18 had the darkest sounding 3/4 BBb tubas I have ever tried. I am also not sure if I ever tried the Cerveny Arion or not. Or I just happened to not toot on one long enough to form an opinion.

[bloke]

I'm now remembered that the model 18 was nicknamed "Handy".

[PlayTheTuba]

I'm now remembered that the model 18 was nicknamed "Handy".

Oh yeah! I completely forgot about that!!

[jtm]

I had one of those B&S-like Miraphone F tubas, and also owned a B&S Symphonie (still owned today) at the same time.
I sold the Miraphone to a friend who kept it for a while.
It was a good bit of work for me to play.
I'm pretty sure that it was even larger than a PT-15, because I have an easier time making a PT-15 "go" than that particular instrument.

Now that I've tried both (not bloke's exact Symphonie, of course, but similar), I agree. The Miraphone here is almost exactly the same size (except the bore is bigger through the first few valves, and the bell is 20mm smaller), and it's plenty willing to "go", but the Symphonie is extraordinary.