On a horn I used to own, I replaced the s-links with minibal linkages. Doing so provided a significant improvement on the action of the valves.
Re: Real nice miraphone
Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2021 12:39 pm
by the elephant
Local pickup only.
Beautiful bell and overall condition. The linkages are old Dubro stuff and probably still work okay. It looks beautiful. I would pay that much for it, but I can install a 5th valve easily enough for a low price for MYSELF. It would cost a lot for a customer. If a potential buyer is looking to do this an additional grand or $1200 needs to be mentally added to the price of the horn. Yes, it costs that much, if not more, especially since this horn is so clean and straight.
If the slides are in good shape and the valves work well and are not leaking badly this would be an outstanding 4/4 workhorse of a CC tuba for just about anyone. Oh, if the intonation is good — this is the era where they were still working out the bugs, so some of them are not very easily played in tune, and some are brilliant and paved the way for these to become such popular tubas for so long. Only a playtest will tell, and since it is local pickup only, perhaps one could be set up before committing to a purchase.
Good luck to bidders. I wish I had some disposable income right now. I almost always miss out on the fun ones…
Re: Real nice miraphone
Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2021 5:58 pm
by bloke
That late-60s one that I sold to Bill plays better in tune than most all of the brand new ones:
- Push in the #1 slide for first valve D.
- Pull out the #5 slide for double-low D.
Otherwise: mash levers and vibrate lips.
I take no credit, and know nothing of those mysteries.
I do know that outside-sprung Miraphone S-arm linkage is easy to make run fast and silent. Further, it sure looks pretty.
I also know that valves - that are made to all turn in the same direction - still eventually are going to have to turn back in the other direction.
Re: Real nice miraphone
Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2021 8:28 pm
by humBell
bloke wrote: ↑Sat Jul 03, 2021 5:58 pm
...
I also know that valves - that are made to all turn in the same direction - still eventually are going to have to turn back in the other direction.
I think that limitation is from the mechanism that turns 'em and not inherent in the rotary valve itself?
Re: Real nice miraphone
Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2021 8:42 pm
by bloke
Some people are under the impression that rotary valves slur better if they are activated via counterclockwise rotation,
bloke wrote: ↑Sat Jul 03, 2021 5:58 pm
...
I also know that valves - that are made to all turn in the same direction - still eventually are going to have to turn back in the other direction.
I think that limitation is from the mechanism that turns 'em and not inherent in the rotary valve itself?
Re: Real nice miraphone
Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2021 10:19 pm
by York-aholic
bloke wrote: ↑Sat Jul 03, 2021 5:58 pm
I also know that valves - that are made to all turn in the same direction - still eventually are going to have to turn back in the other direction.
Not true! I rigged up the mechanism so that the rotor just keeps going round and round...
bloke wrote: ↑Sat Jul 03, 2021 5:58 pm
I also know that valves - that are made to all turn in the same direction - still eventually are going to have to turn back in the other direction.
Not true! I rigged up the mechanism so that the rotor just keeps going round and round...
How'd it work?
Does the music also go round and round? And where does it come out?
bloke wrote: ↑Sat Jul 03, 2021 5:58 pm
I also know that valves - that are made to all turn in the same direction - still eventually are going to have to turn back in the other direction.
Not true! I rigged up the mechanism so that the rotor just keeps going round and round...
How'd it work?
Does the music also go round and round? And where does it come out?
...Are you referring to when I first wake up in the morning?
Not true! I rigged up the mechanism so that the rotor just keeps going round and round...
How'd it work?
Does the music also go round and round? And where does it come out?
...Are you referring to when I first wake up in the morning?
And as i think this has deviated sufficiently from the original subject* that i suggest we adjourn to the new thread for bad ideas for further digression... As it certainly provokes a bad idea or two for me- not that i need provocation.
* - "real nice mirafone" not to be confused with either all those phony nice miraphones out there... nor the real mean miraphone some no-nonsense tubists play!
Re: Real nice miraphone
Posted: Sun Jul 04, 2021 10:49 am
by bloke
yes...yes...I know the song, and got the reference.
My personal favorite version is this offbeat/nutty "Little-Italy-Dixieland" one:
Re: Real nice miraphone
Posted: Sun Jul 04, 2021 3:53 pm
by humBell
bloke wrote: ↑Sun Jul 04, 2021 10:49 am
yes...yes...I know the song, and got the reference.
My personal favorite version is this offbeat/nutty "Little-Italy-Dixieland" one:
Please pardon me for thinking ya were goin' a different direction with it for lack of catching the reference. (now i wonder we didn't have to wait for it to come around again)
And i am guilty of taking the first result of a search for the song.
I bet i coulda been lazier, but i woulda hadda try.
And i should also been specifc @York-aholic, how did rigging up a one way rotary mechanism work out?
I speculate it would be harder to enforce alignment without bumpers?
Re: Real nice miraphone
Posted: Sun Jul 04, 2021 4:03 pm
by bloke
Something tells me his one way rotary mechanism is reminiscent of a steam engine locomotive.
Re: Real nice miraphone
Posted: Sun Jul 04, 2021 5:46 pm
by humBell
bloke wrote: ↑Sun Jul 04, 2021 4:03 pm
Something tells me his one way rotary mechanism is reminiscent of a steam engine locomotive.