I am selling this tuba that I sort of rescued from the dead. Tall German tuba, 4/4 size, three clockspring rotary valves. No wear on valves, compression is 100%, minimal play in the S linkages. All that said, it is a pretty ugly brown color and has some dents. I beat the bell back into a modicum of roundness (no cracks, btw), removed the dents that I could, aligned the rotors, reattached a bunch of broken stuff and fixed all the busted solder joints. Still quite a few dents, but it plays well. Has a classic 50s/60s Miraphone smaller receiver. Very light handmade horn with only three valves, and the strap rings make it a candidate for an Oktoberfest beater tuba! Take it on a strolling gig.
The keel is stamped Made in Germany but there are no other markings. It has all the dimensions of a Miraphone 186 (besides only having 3 valves) -- same slides, leadpipe, ferrule engravings, valves, bore, thumb ring flange, etc. When I emailed Miraphone they were unsure, but I think it is one because I had a vintage 186 here recently, and all parts including all slides, valve caps, rotors and leadpipe were interchangeable with the new model. So, I am guessing this is something maybe sold as a student horn or brought over from Europe before they were being imported into California en masse. No clue. It's old, ugly, in BBb and it can play. Sounds very nice, classic 186 tone, nimble and responsive. Good intonation. False tones are also surprisingly good.
Asking only $450, can arrange for shipping (probably $250-$300 in the CONUS) or you can pick up here in Connecticut. PM me or email beanhillbrass at gmail.
(yeesh, I'll clean up some of that solder)
