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SOLD: 1st version (I think) of the Miraphone 181 rotary F tuba. This is the version that looks a lot like a PT-15 (I said PT-10, but bloke corrected me elsewhere).

I've had this tuba since January, 2023. I started on F tuba a few months before that, and this tuba solved all the tuning problems I'd had with my previous rotary F. Most notably, the C in the staff (3rd partial) is in tune with the rest of the series. The low end is strong, low C has a good slot, and pedals are easy.

About 39" tall. Bell is 400mm (15.75"). Bore is the same as a 186 or 188: about 19.6mm through all five valves. 1st and 5th rotors are vented. 5th valve is a long whole step.

The finish is raw brass. There are some water spots all over and some tiny dents on the bottom bow guard (see pictures). The rotors are fast and sealed, and the slides are all easy. Someone replaced the original valve linkages (off-white plastic tips), but they'll be included. For a 40 year old tuba, it looks pretty terrific. I cannot find a serial number, so I can't give an exact age. The bell wreath is nice, but it does not have any engraved lettering. The only brand label is the MIRAFONE bell marking. The bottom bow looks to be made from sheet brass. The lead pipe is removable and in perfect condition.

This is SOLD, now, but it was listed at $4800. It's near Austin, TX.



Here it is (on the left) next to a B&S Symphonie F, for size comparison and to show how similar the layouts are.



More pictures: here

Well, the link to more pictures isn't working for me, so here they are inline.









Sorry there's not more of the dog here.



This shows the wreath with the little dots along the inside edge, but no lettering.





It's new enough that it didn't have S-links for the rotors and, happily, it doesn't have a sharp keel.













There's speculation in a thread about F tuba intonation that the problem with the mid C being super sharp can be helped by separating the mouth pipe from the bell. This one is only attached in a couple places, whether or not that's important.



Here it is (left) again with the B&S Symphonie, from the back.

Certainly a handsome tuba!

Photos show up fine for me in both posts. I wish I was in a position to take it off your hands!

Pretty horn!

Hi!
I'm interested and cannot seem to send you a private message.

@King Ephrem

John's as solid/trustworthy as they come, and you probably can't use private messaging until you've posted here for a while.

My email is shown below...

I'm willing for you to send me an email, which I am willing to forward to John (with your email address showing.)

That avoids either of you having to publicly reveal your email addresses.

Thanks so much, bloke. I’ve also sent a PM with an email for me that should work, in case they can get PMs.

bloke wrote: ↑Thu Jan 25, 2024 1:06 pm @King Ephrem

John's as solid/trustworthy as they come, and you probably can't use private messaging until you've posted here for a while.

My email is shown below...

I'm willing for you to send me an email, which I am willing to forward to John (with your email address showing.)

That avoids either of you having to publicly reveal your email addresses.

Thanks Bloke! I was able to receive a message with John's email. So all is figured out.
Thank you for working to make sure that we were able to connect.

This is sold and all packed up. If I can get Shippo to work (instead of just teasing me), I'll be happier than with retail UPS rates, but either way it's going out tomorrow. I'm hopeful it'll be more fun to play well than the Alex that it's replacing.