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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?

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

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!

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.

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.

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."

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.

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.

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