overdue thanks to Bloke!!!

[Matthew Gaunt]

Hi All

Just wanted to give a public big hearty thanks to Bloke!

I had been pestering him for a bit, and he hooked me up with this GREAT 186 from the 60s

It has such a great sound across the whole horn as well as fast easy response. I love that these old ones are handmade and light, but that you can push the volume and still keep it dark if you want. Really malleable horn.

Bravo to Joe for the work he did on it. It’s in amazing shape and the valves and slides feel so good And also thanks for picking out a great mouthpiece match! And for working with me on a great transportation solution

With much appreciation and sorry it took a while to get this posted here!

Thanks and Bravo!!!
MG

[Matthew Gaunt]

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[bloke]

I was sort of hoping that you were digging it, but I was afraid to ask… If I had asked and gotten a bad report, well…

Hey:
Do you know it’s a lot easier/cheaper than redoing that fifth valve linkage?
- making a first valve right hand thumb trigger.

…and thanks for persistently - and with good nature - pushing me to get that thing in nice condition and out of the barn. It needed to be making music, and now it certainly will be.

That’s a 1965 or so, isn’t it?
I’m thinking that that instrument sounds slightly more 188-ish than the slightly younger one that ended up belonging to Bill Holt, which seems to have a couple more “teeth“ in its sound.

[Doc]

Yes, the two have slightly different characteristics in the sound, but both are "classic Mirafone sound." Or so is my opinion after having played @Matthew Gaunt's 186 while at blokeplace (and after playing mine for the last year). Very nice playing tuba!

MG, maybe we can hear you play it sometime?

[bloke]

I did not stick the thumb ring on there, as I have no idea what Matt's further 5th-valve plans are.

Someone else should be able to stick it wherever Matt wants it - and clean up their work - in about ten minutes.

[Matthew Gaunt]

Hi All

I have too many horns, and overlapping functions.

If you are interested this one is for sale!

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