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That is actually a 30. The 5-banger is the 32. Good tubas. Somewhere between a 186 and a 188 in weight, not as good (well, not as consistent) in intonation and response, so less "predictable", but a good one is an excellent tuba. The one I had reminded me a LOT of a Rudi 3/4 with a slightly less pretty tone.

$3900 is high for the 30, much more in line with the 32, but perhaps some haggling and a fair deal could be had. I like these tubas. I do not generally like MW horns, so that is a big admission for me.

@the elephant, thanks for the correction! The title is updated.

I liked my MW32. I found it to be a good all around tuba.

However, the four valve setup is certainly limiting for band literature. I don’t remember my 32 having good false tones, although the low register was solid in the valves.

I kinda disliked the slide layout. Also, I think I was tugging on 3 more than 1. That’s always thrown me off, since my 188 “trained” me that I should only pull first valve (although pulling 4 for low D and stuff is fine).

Lee Stofer has one for 400 less, in what looks to be pristine shape. No hard case but a to die for leather Reunion Blues (Cronkhite made) bag included! And you can be sure Mr. Stofer has gone over it before offering it for sale. Dont know why it hasn’t sold except it is a 4 valve (he will add a 5th valve for extra). It’s so pretty! Makes me wish I played CC.

I'm thinking that - way back (mid-1970's) when Getzen was a sending out an 8-1/2 X 11 b&w flyer with all of that stuff on it (with prices higher than MiraFone prices which could be negotiated) it was easy to choose a "186-5U" over a "32" (as well as a "186-4U" over a "30").

Before Bill took away my 186 - and it sat here next to a 32 for a few days - the MiraFone playability superiority shouted from the rooftops.
Would I buy a low-priced 32 to flip? yeah...

I had a VMI version of the 30. Same horn, but a B&S valve set.

It was great. Needed some first slide pulling.

Cost me $2900, 18 years ago. Whatever that is adjusted for inflation.

bort2.0 wrote: ↑Sat Mar 26, 2022 2:06 pm I had a VMI version of the 30. Same horn, but a B&S valve set.

It was great. Needed some first slide pulling.

Cost me $2900, 18 years ago. Whatever that is adjusted for inflation.

You might remember that I sold a five-valve version of one of those several years ago. I bought it with the less-popular long length fifth valve - which they had a loop-the-looped around the top, but managed to convert it before offering it for sale.

I do... A very nice instrument, wrong timing for me. If I can find another one of those I'll be quite happy with it. Have contemplated the one Lee has, for sure.

As I remember it... Miraphone 188 was easier to play, but the MW had more output. Both very good instruments to me.