A couple years ago I thought it would be a great idea to get a Miraphone 188 as my lone personally owned instrument, never really expecting to use it much. The thinking was to have a "point and shoot" tuba that could sit in our spare room until I needed it for work outside the Army.
As it turned out, I quickly fell in love with it. So much so, in fact, that I eventually requested a new one from the Army. I never expected to find much use for it at work but after bringing it in to play the top splits in my band, I found it extremely useful. Having a voice in the section with a little more core than the 6/4's we generally use was a nice touch to our section's sound profile. It also works great in our quintet and for the small orchestra we use on occasion.
Anyways, now that a new work one is on the way, I am selling mine.
The 188 is great at everything. In tune, even timbre across all registers, easy to blend with trombones, versatile sound profile, ergonomic, looks great. Also, the Miraphone rotors are truly all they're cracked up to be.
Mine was made in 2003. I've been able to play on a few 188's over the last year between Midwest, TMEA and our Tuba-Euph workshop. I've found them to be overall consistent besides one dud. I feel like mine is as good as any that I have played.
I'm asking $7,800. Located in Stafford, VA and I WILL NOT SHIP. I am willing to drive up to 6 hours to meet for the sale.
I would be interested in a trade for an old large rotor BBb + cash. Something like a Cerveny 601/696 or Alexander 163/164.
Photos: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/ ... 0WKuCamLIg
FS/FT: Miraphone 188
Forum rules
This is for buying or selling your personal equipment, but sponsored selling is allowed as well. We are requiring all ads to have the following information. Price, (even for trades) Brand, Model, and location (for instruments, not accessories) need to be included in the ad, or at least be very clear in link provided. It is acceptable to link to an external ad if you are promoting a sale of your personal equipment. No Ebay Auctions, but Buy it now listings are fine. Photos are HIGHLY suggested as well. If you see an ad that does not meet these criteria, please report it.
This is for buying or selling your personal equipment, but sponsored selling is allowed as well. We are requiring all ads to have the following information. Price, (even for trades) Brand, Model, and location (for instruments, not accessories) need to be included in the ad, or at least be very clear in link provided. It is acceptable to link to an external ad if you are promoting a sale of your personal equipment. No Ebay Auctions, but Buy it now listings are fine. Photos are HIGHLY suggested as well. If you see an ad that does not meet these criteria, please report it.
-
tubamarc8891
- Posts: 32
- Joined: Wed Aug 02, 2023 5:09 am
- Has thanked: 2 times
- Been thanked: 23 times
FS/FT: Miraphone 188
Last edited by tubamarc8891 on Tue Sep 22, 2026 1:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- These users thanked the author tubamarc8891 for the post:
- tubatodd (Tue Sep 22, 2026 7:11 am)
Marc Placencia
U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own”
U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own”
-
Mary Ann
- Posts: 4561
- Joined: Thu Aug 13, 2020 9:24 am
- Has thanked: 921 times
- Been thanked: 1039 times
Re: FS/FT: Miraphone 188
viewtopic.php?p=109768#p109768tubamarc8891 wrote: Mon Sep 21, 2026 7:58 pm
I would be interested in a trade for an old large rotor BBb + cash. Something like a Cerveny 601/696 or Alexander 163/164.
But not wanting to trade. Just putting it there.
-
bort2.0
- Posts: 6025
- Joined: Thu Aug 13, 2020 9:13 am
- Location: Minneapolis
- Has thanked: 471 times
- Been thanked: 1286 times
Re: FS/FT: Miraphone 188
Oh, I wish!
-
tubamarc8891
- Posts: 32
- Joined: Wed Aug 02, 2023 5:09 am
- Has thanked: 2 times
- Been thanked: 23 times
Re: FS/FT: Miraphone 188
This one is a flat whole stepMira185 wrote: Tue Sep 22, 2026 9:44 am Good morning !!
What is the 5th valve configuration? 2 steps?
Marc Placencia
U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own”
U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own”
-
tubamarc8891
- Posts: 32
- Joined: Wed Aug 02, 2023 5:09 am
- Has thanked: 2 times
- Been thanked: 23 times
Re: FS/FT: Miraphone 188
Still available! A lot of interest but no bites yet
Marc Placencia
U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own”
U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own”