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miraphone 186 & meinl weston 2145



https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjzGBUj

I sure like the rotors!!

That 2145 does look like an older “small valve” horn. I don’t remember the first valve slide stockings being set up like that, but I can’t remember everything.

I really liked the sound of those old 2145s, a nice tight sound.

A five valve 186 BBb is something of a rare beast. Very nice!

Congratulations on both!

is there a way to adjust the 186 5th valve paddle? it's up too high for me.

The fifth paddle appears to have been bent upward, and probably just needs to be taken off - or well-supported with big-ass pliers and a rag - and bent back down.

I haven’t seen many five valve B-flats that are of that recent vintage… I’m not sure that I’ve ever actually seen one made that recently before, though I knew they exist, obviously.

Nworbekim wrote: ↑Tue Mar 22, 2022 7:14 am is there a way to adjust the 186 5th valve paddle? it's up too high for me.

Nworbekim wrote: ↑Tue Mar 22, 2022 7:14 am is there a way to adjust the 186 5th valve paddle? it's up too high for me.

Looks to be two basic options:

1. Modify the paddle. Someone with a torch and deft touch could put a smaller radius on spot where the spatula departs the bar stock and effectively lower the spatula

2. If Miraphone is inclined, a longer link arm could be swapped in that would lower the spatula.

bloke wrote: ↑Tue Mar 22, 2022 7:24 am The fifth paddle appears to have been bent upward, and probably just needs to be taken off - or we’ll-supported with big-ass pliers and a rag - and bent back down.

My slow thumbs were beaten by this post.

bloke wrote: ↑Tue Mar 22, 2022 7:24 am The fifth paddle appears to have been bent upward, and probably just needs to be taken off - or we’ll-supported with big-ass pliers and a rag - and bent back down.

I haven’t seen many five valve B-flats that are of that recent vintage… I’m not sure that I’ve ever actually seen one made that recently before, though I knew they exist, obviously.

Nworbekim wrote: ↑Tue Mar 22, 2022 7:14 am is there a way to adjust the 186 5th valve paddle? it's up too high for me.

i don't know anything about the instrument's history... i might be able to find out, i still have the seller's contact information. he was a HUGE guy, coulda played linebacker about anywhere... probably 6'5" at LEAST! he didn't say much about the horns, just that he was a tuba major at a smaller "university" nearby and got "burnt out". he may have had that paddle bent like that.

Other tangent:

Those longer upper ferrules on the first slide of your 2145 were still throwing me off. I looked around online and most other 2145s have an upper ferrule around 3/4” long. I’m wondering where this tuba existed in the timeline of manufacture? By 1991/1992, the shorter ferrule with the small valves was the norm, or so I thought. All of the big valve horns have the shorter ferrules from what I can find.

Interesting variation of manufacture!

sidebar:
There are so many stupid things that are built in to autocorrect, including - every time the more common word, “well” is typed - changing it to “we’ll”, and another thing being that it changes words after the fact…several seconds after having moved on to the next sentence (with the typist - then - not noticing the autocorrect-ruined words). ‘ many issues, with another one being “stupid capitalization“.

The more I look at that fifth lever, the more I am convinced that it was bent upward, particularly after you tell me about the size of the last person who owned the instrument.
I would probably place the manufacturing date of that instrument shortly after they came out with the new fifth circuit length - based on some of the things I can see in the picture.

i sent him a message about the history of the horns... maybe we'll find out.

…or just bend it back.

he doesn't know anything about the background of the horns, says he bought them used from a music store. says the williwaw mouthpiece is supposed to be stainless over a titanium core. i emailed the company that manufactured it and they asked if it weighed 5 oz or less. the only scales i have that weigh that small amount is an old set of food scales my wife used in weight watchers many years ago... i don't know how accurate it is but it weighed it at 5.9 oz. the mouthpiece appearance is different than the one pictured on their website...

i found an email address for miraphone and really didn't expect a response, BUT, i DID receive one the very NEXT day... the serial # dates this instrument to 2004. they sent the entire serial/model # and it was designated with an S. inquiries tell me that means STUDENT model.

i'm not sure exactly what that means except it's like an automobile TRIM package... nothing really different in performance but mostly aesthetic appeal?

i've not chased down the mienl yet...