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When I bought my 497, there was only 4 valve version, but now on Mira home page, I see a 5 valve version.
Any one have any info, or play test on the 5 valve version?

I might be mistaken, but I think that initially the 5th valve was added to the 4th valve circuit, making it a dependent valve. That's all the information I have. I have played the 497 several times, but not with a 5th valve. Great tubas!

If I had a dependent valve on my 4th then I’d go for a long halfstep.
Curious that they only offer dependent seeing as the 91B, 98B and 496B are all independent.
Write to Miraphone and ask.

pjv wrote: ↑Tue Mar 02, 2021 1:10 pm Write to Miraphone and ask.

I have sent a mail to them. Lets see what they say.

Erik_Sweden wrote: ↑Tue Mar 02, 2021 2:04 pm

pjv wrote: ↑Tue Mar 02, 2021 1:10 pm Write to Miraphone and ask.

I have sent a mail to them. Lets see what they say.

They say it's an independent long 1st, placed before 1st valve.

Good one. I assume it's the same parts as the 496B then.

They sell 5th valve + lead pipe as a kit to those that like to upgrade there 4 valve version.

Erik_Sweden wrote: ↑Thu Mar 18, 2021 2:03 pm They sell 5th valve + lead pipe as a kit to those that like to upgrade there 4 valve version.

I bet that ain't cheao, but it's probably pretty sweet.

Miraphone has the reputation of generally making what you want as long as you pay for it. If the valve section on the 497 is the same as the 496B, what's the problem? Is the bell and top bow to large to accommodate the 5th valve slide? Or do they think that no one will really want a 5th valve on the 497, so it is merely an add-on?

My guess is:

No problem. But since Germans aren't into 5V BBb's, why bother making it standard.

Which makes me wonder if the 98B wasn't intended for the US market?

pjv wrote: ↑Mon Mar 22, 2021 2:01 pm My guess is:

No problem. But since Germans aren't into 5V BBb's, why bother making it standard.

Which makes me wonder if the 98B wasn't intended for the US market?

Your point is valid. I'm not one that requires a fifth valve on a BBb tuba (4 seem to do the job just fine), but I do like the fifth valve on mine very much.

With the general bias against BBb in the US on the university and professional level, finding someone in the US to spend that much money on a BBb is pretty rare. There are a few players here who are fans of the 98B, but when the selling price is close to $20,000 USD, the amount of valves doesn't matter. I considered buying a used 98B from Norway, but I opted for the 496B (same price) since I like the Hagen sound. Maybe that was a mistake? I came very close to ordering a 497. And I considered buying Bob Tucci's handmade Fafner. The utility of the 496 helped me make my decision more than the price, but I still need to test a 497.