Versions of Miraphone 181 F tubas

[jtm]

I've read (somewhere) that there were three or four different versions of Miraphone 181 during the model number's life, but I can't find that information now. I believe the first version, from the late 70s or early 80s, looked remarkably like a PT-15 5 valve model. Where could I confirm (or be corrected about) this?

[bisontuba]

Mirafone Premium F tuba…. lift the lead pipe off the bell and magic happens...

[bort2.0]

Yes, the oldest is the B&S style one you had
And maybe that prototype thing we both had too
Then the most common 181
And the premium that Mark mentioned

Question -- did the 181 morph into the Firebird, or was the Firebird a new design? I just don't remember.

I've tried a few really nice newer 181's. A gold brass one was particularly nice. Almost bought a 181 from Morris Kainuma* when I lived in NYC 10+ years ago.

*Haven't heard his name in the longest time, hope he's doing well. Such a great guy!

[arpthark]

Firebird was a new design. They were being sold concurrently for a while, not sure if the 181 still is or if that evolved into the Bel Canto thing.

[Sousaswag]

I've heard it described as "181 Bel Canto" which probably means the 181 evolved into the Bel Canto.

I've never played one, but several 5 and 6v versions have been sold for not a lot of money.

[bloke]

Let me just post that their quality is superb, but I'm just not into any of their F tubas from 80 to 181 to 181 to 281 to Bel to Bel.

God bless 'em though, and that does NOT mean "Bless their heart".

bloke "186, 188, and B-flats - THOSE they can do."

[Christian]

The Miraphone 181 came out in the 1980´s, Don Little was involved and later Mel Culbertson. The design was like the B&S F-tubas with the typically 5th valve and short leadpipe. The 181-Premium tuba was introduced onto the market 1993, designed with Markus Theinert (new body). 2005 the Firebird entered the market with a smaller body and different leadpipe (Alan Baer and Markus Theinert). The valve section on the 181-Premium tuba has been adapted in 2011 - now the 181-Belcanto. With Dirk Hirthe Miraphone designed a completely new tuba - F-Tuba Elektra 481 in 2015.

[jtm]

Thank you so much for the timeline, @Christian.

The first version design does look very much like the B&S tubas. Here's mine, just before I sold it, next to a Symphonie. The Miraphone has nicer brace posts.

[bloke]

I think I'd probably compare the B&S-looking Miraphone instrument to a PT15. I wish my B&S Symphonie featured Miraphone workmanship.