There have been a few 186's going up for sale lately. Depending on your budget, I think it would be a great choice. I know @the elephant has a superb example for sale. Good luck.

Other than that mouth pipe having to be a little longer to fit around a fatter bell, they are about the same up until the main tuning slide (where the 88 begins getting bigger than an 86). The main tuning slide bore is actually the same as with their kaiser instruments, which is 21.2mm. From there ...

An hour and 46 minute drive to Baltimore Brass or an hour and 46 minute drive to Baltimore Brass Bloomsburg.

Do you have any recordings playing this with a brass quintet?

That is just a slightly tilted stock image of a legit Miraphone 188, down to the reflections in the bell. If you look closely you can even see the Miraphone triangle logo.

It's based on this image:

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/shopping?q=tbn ...

This horn has been popping up on banner ads on my computer lately. Does anyone know about a Chinese 188 clone?

https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/SEASOUND-High-Quality-OEM-Tuba-Trumpet_62390837491.html?spm=a2700.galleryofferlist.normal_offer.d_image.4d6513a0tyqNNB

Here is an ad for the 186 ...

I played a brass quintet gig this morning with this horn, and now I'm thinking of taking my ad down because I'm lovestruck all over again by a tuba.

University of Lynchburg Faculty Brass Quintet


I own two 184's. They really are fanastic instruments. They put out a really nice sound, are ...

Wasn’t this system called “Presto”?

I had a Miraphone 188 that had the Presto linkage.


PRESTO!

Additionally the narrow kranz and nickel silver leadpipes etc, were features on the not-particularly-advertised "anniversary model" horns.

Though I don't remember seeing models other than 186 and ...

bloke wrote: Sun Apr 13, 2025 8:01 pm ...remind me of most tuba player videos on Facebook.

Facebook would have been better without them, and so would the reputations of those who posted them.

I can't live without my "Expert Village" tuba player videos on YouTube though.

Back in my Air Force days, we had a piston 2155 that was one of the first available in the US. It was a good horn but I wasn't a fan of the sound I got out of it and it did have some intonation challenges. I ultimately stuck with my 188 and the other tuba picker in our band decided he liked the 2155.

Tony...I give a thumbs up to Wade's 186. I wish I was in the market or it would have been mine already.

You need one of those 6/4 shoulder Yorks. That is the ultimate step up.

That being said, we want more pictures of slicked out tubas leaning against the front of Blokeplace.

When my first tuba teacher retired from his similar dinky per service gig in Pennsylvania, players showed up from all over. The eventual winner, who is still the current player, was and still is based out of Georgia.

Wonder what he didn't have going on in Georgia to make him want to move ...

I'm surprised dinky gigs like this bother holding auditions; it's not like someone's gonna move there if they win the gig; they're just gonna hire local talent who've most likely already been playing there. I'm an AFM member, but does anyone know if holding auditions is some sort of requirement ...

I own one of their 3/4 contras. Nice playing instrument.

I want to see G bass trombones make a comeback.

Both require 1-2 and 2-3 for the E and Eb in the staff

yes.

I'm not "calling you out" - and nor am I trying to be a "snoot" - but (though I dealt with instruments demanding these valve combinations for quite a few years) I don't choose to own such instruments, these days.

Admittedly, with ...

I have 2 examples of a Mirafone 184 CC. One built around 1985 and the other around 1989. The older of the two plays really well in tune if the main tuning slide is pulled out pretty far. Everything lines up as long as you don't mind the tuning slide hanging out far. The 1989 version plays quite well ...

I have debated for years about the appropriate tuba to play these on, 8vb on the contrabass, or use the Sauer edition (transposed) on bass, where it fits perfectly.

There are rewards to both options as well as challenges to work past. I am still debating this before printing off a set to explore ...