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I am planning to sell my 1973 Miraphone 186, but it is in rougher shape and needs repair so that I can assure that the buyer gets a good horn. For the most part the horn is in really good condition for it's age, general dents and stuff, and the rotors will need to be adjusted, but it plays pretty good. But then we get to the bell, which is in really bad shape. One repair shop said that it would be best to just replace the bell entirely, but they could possibly do a Little bit to it without replacing it. And another shop said that they wouldn't service the bell on the instrument.

I'm torn on what I should do, on one hand I want to do the bell replacement so the horn can go into its new life and go another 50 years. But on the other hand it's an expensive repair, and idk if I would be able to get the money I put into it back, and idk if a buyer would be interested in the horn if it's bell is replaced. If I choose to sell it through consignment, the shop would likely replace it, and add it to the price of the sale, and I don't want the price of this instrument to get to high.

Will add more photos if needed

https://photos.app.goo.gl/FcNH7qbLhshdxovHA

I don't see any cracks...

bloke wrote: ↑Wed Mar 20, 2024 2:44 pm I don't see any cracks...

Don't look behind ya...


Serious:

OP, based on your sweatshirt are you in Denton? Have you taken the horn to Denton Big Brass? The owner is on this board.

I've seen many worse bells than that. Give us your location and I bet we can find you someone to fix it up

Double thank to Blake.

If that bell isn't cracked, Carl @UncleBeer can do a good job of fixing it. He's good.

Yeah Blake @arpthark , I always look down and behind me if I need to think. People tell me I really think.

arpthark wrote: ↑Wed Mar 20, 2024 3:49 pm

bloke wrote: ↑Wed Mar 20, 2024 2:44 pm I don't see any cracks...

Don't look behind ya...


Serious:

OP, based on your sweatshirt are you in Denton? Have you taken the horn to Denton Big Brass? The owner is on this board.

I'm going there tomorrow

Update, got the horn into the shop. Getting a chem cleaning, fixing the bell, and venting the 1st rotor. Getting this work done at the UNT repair shop, the prices there are really good for the general public, only paying about $340 for all of this, and a student would pay about half of this. It's good that students can get work done on their instruments without having to spend a lot of money.

Tuba_guy85 wrote: ↑Fri Mar 22, 2024 7:14 am Update, got the horn into the shop. Getting a chem cleaning, fixing the bell, and venting the 1st rotor. Getting this work done at the UNT repair shop, the prices there are really good for the general public, only paying about $340 for all of this, and a student would pay about half of this. It's good that students can get work done on their instruments without having to spend a lot of money.

Congrats!

I guess I am still under-charging (even though I've tried to charge proportional to hyperinflation what I previously charged, so I can still purchase groceries, fuel, and utilities, as well as occasionally purchasing the services of others).

I never like to post here what I would probably charge for something, but what I'm seeing is a chemical clean job for a hundred and a quarter, a bell repair for maybe the same or maybe $50 more, and drilling a hole in a rotor casing for 30 or 35 bucks... so I guess that's supposed to be a bargain price...??

Of course, I haven't signed on with some company or employer who resells my services, so I keep everything that the government doesn't force me to hand over, rather than giving a large percentage to some reseller of my skills and time.

Ummm: the garland is cracked and there are several tears in the bell. Feel free to revise your estimate as needed.

UncleBeer wrote: ↑Fri Mar 22, 2024 9:09 am Ummm: the garland is cracked and there are several tears in the bell. Feel free to revise your estimate as needed.

That's the problem with 2D pictures, and which are limited to the size of a laptop...

yep...that's a booger, right there...

...although (??) for $2XX, some additional "love" + installation, might THIS (link below) do?

These tubas are (maybe ??) an inch taller than an 86...but (obviously, per stated specs) the bottom bow insertion diameter would need to be 4.62" or larger...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/364764998677

and here's another choice...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/126328858853

I have no idea if Carl sees these substitute bells as viable and/or if he has time, but - if "yes" and "yes"...the owner of the tuba is in good hands.

Dents Be Gone! wrote: ↑Sun Mar 24, 2024 6:41 am I believe the lady that ran the UNT shop (Ann something, can’t remember her last name) has since retired, but sounds like it’s still very good and going strong. Great tradition there.

BTW: the UNT shop just advertised for a woodwind tech, full time. Great opportunity: pay, benefits, etc. if anyone knows a good tech looking for solid work. The national NAPBIRT conference is happening early April, so that'd be a great opportunity for a candidate to look around Denton & the facility.