TubaForum.net

That´s one cool tuba!
That unlaquered / patina look is great, too, if it weren´t for stains on hands and clothes.
(I marched with my unlaquered helikon on a hot day this summer. Stains at the shoulder of my woollen "Tracht" vest likely have come to stay, says the laundry pro I handed it to ...)

I'm glad that they were able to address everything on your punch list. That's wonderful.

Regarding the original mouthpipe, I wonder if part of the problem with it was that it was 90° to the bell - going around the bell. The classic kaiser mouthpipes dipped down, and then went up as they went around the bell. Actually, the 98 model follows this tradition. I actually lowered the instrument in order to play it more comfortably: the adulterated keyboard bench, etc.

Some of those mouthpipes in that collection - that our military European musician friend has for sale - demonstrate the classic kaiser bend pattern.

If you don't mind saying what the MTS cost -- my Star came back with a clearly Miraphone-made, additional, shorter tuning slide that he called "the brass band tuning slide." Which I don't use, but wondering what it cost him.
Have fun with your new toy that I suspect will never be sold.

In euro’s
Before taxes
Without import or shipping costs
And made in gold brass
€140,88
That’s including the labor involved.
Cheers

There's nothing better than taking a really good instrument and making it into a even better fit.