Bozeman CL: Miraphone 18X

[hrender]

Not sure of the model. Price seems good.

https://bozeman.craigslist.org/msg/d/bo ... 39929.html

[the elephant]

Looks like a regular, old 186 BBb from between 1985-1988 or so, with the plastic DVS system that everyone should replace ASAP as they get brittle and snap off at the worst possible times. The second slide pull ring is missing, looks like the whole ring and base are gone, and it is clean beneath, so *maybe* that is a replacement crook. The Thumb ring is a replacement and not Miraphone at all. The bottom bow has been off and it looks like a LOT of work has been done to "un-smoosh" the horn at both ends, and the soldering to the braces is poorly executed and not cleaned up at all. Bell garland is pretty wavy for at least 90º of the circumference.

This is a bit of a beater and the seller is nuts to say it was owned and cared for by a professional because it looks just like an old high school band tuba to me.

I would think that $2000 would be more than fair for this horn unless it is an exceptional player. Judging by the quality of the work done to it, I doubt that this is the case.

I don't mean to be harsh, but I would buy this just to tear it apart and clean it up. And after all that work I *might* get a little bit more than he is asking for it as it is now.

Caveat emptor. Do not do a long-distance CL purchase for this tuba. Buy only if you are local and can play it first, and if you are prepared to haggle on the price. I would shoot for $2500 if you *really* like it, $2000 if you are not crazy about the magical-pixie-dust-unicorn-like musical qualities the owner seems to think it has. Again, it very well *might* be a great player. Test before you buy!

[KingTuba1241X]

Yep, standard 186 from mid 80's-early 90's based on the visual ques. Wish it were a 187, I'd buy it without haggling at that price.

[greenbean]

I see lots of repair work and all of it looks pretty shoddy. If the "repair" person was not yet proficient in basic soldering and dent removal... what were they good at doing?

I think even 2000 is too much. Jeez - up your budget to 3000 and you can get yourself some really nice horns! But if someone is determined to get a 186, saving up some more money and getting a good one makes more sense. (That is just my opinion; everyone has their own.)

[bort2.0]

C'mon now, that's a $500 Protec bag!