Miraphone 186 Series 4-Valve 4/4 BBb Tuba

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This instrument will provide you with a great full sound and a tonal center whether you are playing at the bottom ledger lines or on a date with "Peepo" up at the high end of the horn. Intonation within the horn is almost flawless once you adjust it to your specific playing style and embouchure requirements. The finish is superior and the dimensions are very easily handled by folks who are smaller in stature. WWBW had the instrument is stock and it was shipped in a very timely manner by freight; packaging was excellent for this German made tuba with enough Styrofoam peanuts to keep it safe on the crossing overseas.

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This is an excellent horn, I have never played a tuba with a better sound! It has a rich and dark tone, both a superior high and low range. I have researched and played a number of horns, but found this tuba to play exceptionally well. The intonation is great and easily better than almost any other tuba on the market. I would recommend this instrument to anyone who is dedicated to playing long hours, or is considering a profession in music. I would also like to mention how well built this instrument is, with heavy metal and laquer, unlike many Cerveny horns that can be easily damaged or dented.

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As a young tuba player I have played on the tubas from the bottom of the barrel for most of my life. When it was time to claim my own tuba I was glad it was this one. For one just looking at a picture of this tuba will give you no evidence of its true beauty. Looking at this tuba just makes you say WOW. After you get through the beauty of this tuba the tone and quality is what will get you next. As they say you don't know what a really good tuba sounds and feels like until you've played a really bad one. So trust me when I say this tuba has one of the most amazing note ranges that you can find on a lower level professional tuba. Switching to this instrument has increased my playing by far. Another thing is that this tuba is also very durable for a pro-tuba. I've taken mine on the bottom of coach busses from state to state and it still plays like the first day I got it. Not to mention it takes temperature changes extremely well.

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The horn is pretty flexible intonation wise. If you take care of the slides, you can tune valves 1, 2, and 3 while you're playing. Being a BBb horn, it maintains relatively accurate tuning throughout. The keys are silent and the action is very good; little movement is necessary to fully depress the keys. I have found one con to this horn and it’s just looks. The finish had some blemishes throughout the horn. The bottom had very thin clear coat causing it to be rough and I found several small black circles under the clear finish. Hardly noticeable though. This is a quality horn and deserves to be in your top considerations if it meets your price range.

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I am a semi-pro tubist who owns a total of nine different tubas, each with its own characteristics from antique to small to large to interesting to cosmetic, etc. The Miraphone 186-4U is my favorite, and it has been played several times a week since the early 1980s when I bought it ($10,000 back then). Coming from experience with an Army band in Germany in the 70s, I had the opportunity to play the German version of this instrument with a local group, and fell in love. The American/export version is basically the same, except (at least back then) the valve spring system was different. Miraphone's 184-4U is one of the most venerable and respected classic tubas in the world, and has a well deserved reputation for excellent all-around playing characteristics and even more so for great build quality. Intonation is very good and not an issue. This is also a very comfortable instrument that is relatively compact for a full-sized (4/4) tuba, with a good balance that makes it easy to hold for hours. The valves are excellent, long lived and quick. The trim is beautiful epoxy lacquered brass and nickel silver. The pro version has a fair amount of engraving trim, although newer ones have less of this than the older ones. If you are primarily a band player and want a single great horn, or of you are buying for a high scholl or college, this is the horn to get.