Midnight Miraphone, playing impressions
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- MN_TimTuba
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Midnight Miraphone, playing impressions
New tuba alert!
So, after owning 1 tuba for over 30 years, I just purchased my 5 th tuba in 3 years. Is there any cure for this?
I'll post a photo when I get home, but last night at midnight I sent a text to the Horn Stash that I'd buy their old Miraphone 83, and within minutes received a personal text from one of their crew. Good service!
I'd recently sold my YBB-103, wanting something a bit larger for our Dixieland group, and bell front would be nice for all our outdoor gigs. I've also been interested in trying Eb just for fun. Several nice horns were presented to me, and then I got a message from @bort2.0 asking if I'd seen this Miraphone. It's an old 83, no finish but almost no dents, clock spring rotors, bell front, recently serviced, at a reputable retail store just a few miles from where we lived for 7 years, 9 hours from home. I texted with them during the day, made the purchase at midnight. Now I just need to plan that road trip!
Oh, and a nice bonus - these little community gigs more than paid for the horn, so no dipping into the family coffers!
Photos later, but for now you can rejoice with me!
Tim
So, after owning 1 tuba for over 30 years, I just purchased my 5 th tuba in 3 years. Is there any cure for this?
I'll post a photo when I get home, but last night at midnight I sent a text to the Horn Stash that I'd buy their old Miraphone 83, and within minutes received a personal text from one of their crew. Good service!
I'd recently sold my YBB-103, wanting something a bit larger for our Dixieland group, and bell front would be nice for all our outdoor gigs. I've also been interested in trying Eb just for fun. Several nice horns were presented to me, and then I got a message from @bort2.0 asking if I'd seen this Miraphone. It's an old 83, no finish but almost no dents, clock spring rotors, bell front, recently serviced, at a reputable retail store just a few miles from where we lived for 7 years, 9 hours from home. I texted with them during the day, made the purchase at midnight. Now I just need to plan that road trip!
Oh, and a nice bonus - these little community gigs more than paid for the horn, so no dipping into the family coffers!
Photos later, but for now you can rejoice with me!
Tim
Last edited by MN_TimTuba on Sat Jan 14, 2023 5:11 am, edited 3 times in total.
- These users thanked the author MN_TimTuba for the post (total 5):
- Ace (Thu Dec 15, 2022 1:26 pm) • bloke (Thu Dec 15, 2022 6:32 pm) • bort2.0 (Thu Dec 15, 2022 8:34 pm) • the elephant (Thu Dec 15, 2022 9:59 pm) • prairieboy1 (Thu Dec 15, 2022 10:39 pm)
MN_Tim
Lee Stofer Custom 2341-5
Miraphone 83 Eb
Miraphone 191-5 (formerly)
Holton BBb345 (formerly and fondly)
Lee Stofer Custom 2341-5
Miraphone 83 Eb
Miraphone 191-5 (formerly)
Holton BBb345 (formerly and fondly)
- bloke
- Mid South Music
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Re: Midnight Miraphone
That's cool, Tim.MN_TimTuba wrote: ↑Thu Dec 15, 2022 12:58 pm New tuba alert!
So, after owning 1 tuba for over 30 years, I just purchased my 5 th tuba in 3 years. Is there any cure for this?
I'll post a photo when I get home, but last night at midnight I sent a text to the Horn Stash that I'd buy their old Miraphone 83, and within minutes received a personal text from one of their crew. Good service!
I'd recently sold my YBB-103, wanting something a bit larger for our Dixieland group, and bell front would be nice for all our outdoor gigs. I've also been interested in trying Eb just for fun. Several nice horns were presented to me, and then I got a message from @bort2.0 asking if I'd seen this Miraphone. It's an old 83, no finish but almost no dents, clock spring rotors, bell front, recently serviced, at a reputable retail store just a few miles from where we lived for 7 years, 9 hours from home. I texted with them during the day, made the purchase at midnight. Now I just need to plan that road trip!
Oh, and a nice bonus - these little community gigs more than paid for the horn, so no dipping into the family coffers!
Photos later, but for now you can rejoice with me!
Tim
The really old ones featured small shank receivers, and the bore size was a step smaller than 18mm (maybe only 17mm...??)
- MN_TimTuba
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Re: Midnight Miraphone
Joe,
Fortunately this one has already had an American shank sized receiver installed. I may be asking for mouthpiece recommendations after I try my few.
Tim
Fortunately this one has already had an American shank sized receiver installed. I may be asking for mouthpiece recommendations after I try my few.
Tim
- These users thanked the author MN_TimTuba for the post:
- bloke (Thu Dec 15, 2022 2:07 pm)
MN_Tim
Lee Stofer Custom 2341-5
Miraphone 83 Eb
Miraphone 191-5 (formerly)
Holton BBb345 (formerly and fondly)
Lee Stofer Custom 2341-5
Miraphone 83 Eb
Miraphone 191-5 (formerly)
Holton BBb345 (formerly and fondly)
- Three Valves
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Re: Midnight Miraphone
I hope I don't catch it!
Thought Criminal
Mack Brass Artiste
TU422L with TU25
1964 Conn 36k with CB Arnold Jacobs
Accent (By B&S) 952R with Bach12
The Fourth Estate is the Fifth Column
Mack Brass Artiste
TU422L with TU25
1964 Conn 36k with CB Arnold Jacobs
Accent (By B&S) 952R with Bach12
The Fourth Estate is the Fifth Column
- bort2.0
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Re: Midnight Miraphone
Congratulations, Tim!
No clue why I remembered it! Until then, I was kind of hoping you'd buy the 3+1 version of my Martin that's at Dillon right now
No clue why I remembered it! Until then, I was kind of hoping you'd buy the 3+1 version of my Martin that's at Dillon right now
It's brutal! The only cure is "no money"
- These users thanked the author bort2.0 for the post (total 3):
- MN_TimTuba (Thu Dec 15, 2022 5:08 pm) • Three Valves (Thu Dec 15, 2022 5:40 pm) • jtm (Thu Dec 15, 2022 11:11 pm)
- MN_TimTuba
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Re: Midnight Miraphone
Brett,
It was either that 3+1 Martin or Norm's silver York Master Eb, until the M-83 fell onto my lap. Norm's reply to me was, "Well, it's hard to out bid tubas from Heaven."
Tim
It was either that 3+1 Martin or Norm's silver York Master Eb, until the M-83 fell onto my lap. Norm's reply to me was, "Well, it's hard to out bid tubas from Heaven."
Tim
MN_Tim
Lee Stofer Custom 2341-5
Miraphone 83 Eb
Miraphone 191-5 (formerly)
Holton BBb345 (formerly and fondly)
Lee Stofer Custom 2341-5
Miraphone 83 Eb
Miraphone 191-5 (formerly)
Holton BBb345 (formerly and fondly)
- LargeTuba
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Re: Midnight Miraphone, pics added
I tried that horn. While your there try the 6/4 Cerveny CC they have. The Cerveny felt like the rotors weren't properly aligned so go give it your own shot.
The shop is right next to the future home of the Arlignton Bears...
Id be interested to hear about a York Master Eb? Ive never heard of such tuba.
Glad you got a new horn!
The shop is right next to the future home of the Arlignton Bears...
Id be interested to hear about a York Master Eb? Ive never heard of such tuba.
Glad you got a new horn!
Pt-6P, Holton 345 CC, 45slp
- MN_TimTuba
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Re: Midnight Miraphone, pics added
Contact Norm Epley. The photos did not clearly show the bell engraving, I'm just going by what he said it is. I'd not heard of an Eb Master either, but it was smaller than the Monster for sure and very nice.
Tim
MN_Tim
Lee Stofer Custom 2341-5
Miraphone 83 Eb
Miraphone 191-5 (formerly)
Holton BBb345 (formerly and fondly)
Lee Stofer Custom 2341-5
Miraphone 83 Eb
Miraphone 191-5 (formerly)
Holton BBb345 (formerly and fondly)
-
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Re: Midnight Miraphone, pics added
Rejoice, Indeed! Congratulations, that looks like a terrific horn!
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- MN_TimTuba (Fri Dec 16, 2022 12:06 am)
1916 Holton "Mammoth" 3 valve BBb Upright Bell Tuba
1935 King "Symphony" Bass 3 valve BBb Tuba
1998 King "2341" 4 valve BBb Tuba
1970 Yamaha "321" 4 valve BBb Tuba (Yard Goat)
1935 King "Symphony" Bass 3 valve BBb Tuba
1998 King "2341" 4 valve BBb Tuba
1970 Yamaha "321" 4 valve BBb Tuba (Yard Goat)
-
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Re: Midnight Miraphone, pics added
I have a couple rotors from one of those, in case you decide you want a fifth valve.
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- MN_TimTuba (Fri Dec 16, 2022 8:19 am)
Some old Yorks, Martins, and perhaps a King rotary valved CC
- Three Valves
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Re: Midnight Miraphone, pics added
The bell appears to be made of leather.
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- MN_TimTuba (Fri Dec 16, 2022 8:21 am)
Thought Criminal
Mack Brass Artiste
TU422L with TU25
1964 Conn 36k with CB Arnold Jacobs
Accent (By B&S) 952R with Bach12
The Fourth Estate is the Fifth Column
Mack Brass Artiste
TU422L with TU25
1964 Conn 36k with CB Arnold Jacobs
Accent (By B&S) 952R with Bach12
The Fourth Estate is the Fifth Column
- windshieldbug
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Re: Midnight Miraphone, pics added
York (B&M) did, in fact make 3 Master Ebs:
Eb Sousaphone Grande Master 51
Eb Recording Bass Master 78
Eb Upright Bass Master 52
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- MN_TimTuba (Fri Dec 16, 2022 9:46 am)
If it’s tourist season, why can’t we shoot them?
- Mary Ann
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Re: Midnight Miraphone, pics added
Have fun with that!!
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- MN_TimTuba (Fri Dec 16, 2022 9:47 am)
Re: Midnight Miraphone, pics added
It's always exciting to get a new horn! Horn Stash gets some interesting horns. I saw that horn a while back and have wondered about it. I'm very curious to hear how you like it over time.
Re: Midnight Miraphone, pics added
I briefly owned two York master Eb tubas. One was top action bell up fixed and the other was as front action recording bell. They were small but both really played well.MN_TimTuba wrote:Contact Norm Epley. The photos did not clearly show the bell engraving, I'm just going by what he said it is. I'd not heard of an Eb Master either, but it was smaller than the Monster for sure and very nice.
Tim
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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- MN_TimTuba (Fri Dec 16, 2022 1:53 pm)
- MN_TimTuba
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Re: Midnight Miraphone, pics added
Someone really needs to call Norm and buy that M-52 Eb Master.
By the way, I really am glad this Miraphone fits in the bag below with the modest-sized bell front attached!
Tim
By the way, I really am glad this Miraphone fits in the bag below with the modest-sized bell front attached!
Tim
MN_Tim
Lee Stofer Custom 2341-5
Miraphone 83 Eb
Miraphone 191-5 (formerly)
Holton BBb345 (formerly and fondly)
Lee Stofer Custom 2341-5
Miraphone 83 Eb
Miraphone 191-5 (formerly)
Holton BBb345 (formerly and fondly)
- bloke
- Mid South Music
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Re: Midnight Miraphone, pics added
A friend of mine - a Miraphile, who buys most anything Miraphone if he doesn't already have one, and as long as it's under $1,000 - picked up one of those roughly a year ago. I added a whole bunch of length to the #4 slide ferrules, and it still isn't enough. I'm going to have to figure out something else to do for him.
Likely, yours is set up better than his.
Likely, yours is set up better than his.
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- MN_TimTuba (Fri Dec 16, 2022 6:26 pm)
Re: Midnight Miraphone, pics added
I bought my first instrument from Horn Stash. Good people. A stone’s throw away from Chicago. Get yourself over to Paradise Pup in Des Plaines right next to Dana Hofer’s for the best burgers you’ll have!
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- MN_TimTuba (Fri Dec 16, 2022 6:28 pm)
Meinl Weston 2165
B&M CC
Willson 3200RZ-5
Holton 340
Holton 350
Pan-American Eb
King Medium Eb
B&M CC
Willson 3200RZ-5
Holton 340
Holton 350
Pan-American Eb
King Medium Eb
- MN_TimTuba
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Re: Midnight Miraphone, pics added
It'll be a couple of weeks before I can pick it up, but I'll keep your advice in mind for sure.bloke wrote: ↑Fri Dec 16, 2022 5:30 pm A friend of mine - a Miraphile, who buys most anything Miraphone if he doesn't already have one, and as long as it's under $1,000 - picked up one of those roughly a year ago. I added a whole bunch of length to the #4 slide ferrules, and it still isn't enough. I'm going to have to figure out something else to do for him.
Likely, yours is set up better than his.
Thanks, Joe!
Tim
MN_Tim
Lee Stofer Custom 2341-5
Miraphone 83 Eb
Miraphone 191-5 (formerly)
Holton BBb345 (formerly and fondly)
Lee Stofer Custom 2341-5
Miraphone 83 Eb
Miraphone 191-5 (formerly)
Holton BBb345 (formerly and fondly)