TubaForum.net

Posted: **Sun Mar 22, 2026 6:29 pm**

As I’m getting older, I find my Miraphone 186 a little too much. Not so much the weight, but the larger bore. I just can’t put as much air thru the horn as when I was 30 years old. Just thought I’d ask for some input on my next direction. I played the Miraphone in a local symphony for a few years, but I'm done with that. I have a Yamaha YBB 103 that is great for small gigs but I’d like to downsize my Miraphone to a smaller bore (Less than .700) and 4 piston valve. Mostly playing broadway shows, and dixieland. BBb Tubas I’m considering are the King 2341, Eastman 534 Piston, Eastman EBB226 (3/4)and the Jupiter JCB-482 Any suggestions or other ideas would be appreciated.

I will be selling my Miraphone. It’s a beautiful Nickel silver horn/ bell section and unpolished brass in parts of valve section. It’s a hybrid that had a 5th valve professionally added. In near perfect condition. Thanks!

Posted: **Mon Mar 23, 2026 7:57 pm**

It could just be the throat size of your mouthpiece.

Posted: **Mon Mar 23, 2026 8:24 pm**

I'm very happy with my King 2341. I'm sure the Eastman equivalent would do the trick for you, too. Going one click smaller, consider the Olds 99-4, the Bach Mercedes, and the Conn 5J.
Happy shopping.
Tim

Posted: **Mon Mar 23, 2026 8:47 pm**

MN_TimTuba wrote: Mon Mar 23, 2026 8:24 pm I'm very happy with my King 2341. I'm sure the Eastman equivalent would do the trick for you, too. Going one click smaller, consider the Olds 99-4, the Bach Mercedes, and the Conn 5J.
Happy shopping.
Tim

Thanks Tim. The Conn had just came on to my radar also. I wasn't familiar with the Olds. Looks like a nice horn
Larry

Posted: **Mon Mar 23, 2026 9:02 pm**

I can also recommend the Eastman 534—very easy to play and a bigger sound that a Yamaha 103/621. Won’t be the same sound concept as the Miraphone, of course.

Another option is a Miraphone 184, which I think of as an F tuba with Bb fingerings. But I think the 534 is less work to get a contrabass sound.

Rick “or a Miraphone 494 if you have lots of money” Denney

Posted: **Mon Mar 23, 2026 9:37 pm**

I recently purchased a Lidl LBB 701 that I’m very happy with. 15 pounds is wonderful!

Posted: **Mon Mar 23, 2026 10:56 pm**

Rick Denney wrote: Mon Mar 23, 2026 9:02 pm I can also recommend the Eastman 534—very easy to play and a bigger sound that a Yamaha 103/621. Won’t be the same sound concept as the Miraphone, of course.

Another option is a Miraphone 184, which I think of as an F tuba with Bb fingerings. But I think the 534 is less work to get a contrabass sound.

Rick “or a Miraphone 494 if you have lots of money” Denney

Thanks Rick! This is exactly the info I'm looking for. The playability of the Yamaha 103 is amazing but hard to play in tune. It's really a well made small student horn. Great for blatting some Dixieland but I'm looking to add a more 'serious' horn. The Eastman 534 sounds perfect for my needs. One of criteria was to go away from the Miraphone sound to more American/ show sound. If that makes sense. Albeit my Miraphone is amazing and really easy to play in tune.
Larry

Posted: **Mon Mar 23, 2026 11:48 pm**

Sounds like you have a small horn already in the Yamaha 103. The Lidl 701 mentioned in this thread is really just a bigger sound, much nicer build quality, rotary valves (excellent valves btw), bigger bell (16”) well made version of that horn. I had one - it’s a nice horn - but if you’re looking for anything close to the sound & projection of your 186 - forget about it. The Lidl would be just an upgrade of your 103.

I have a 2341 - different sound concept vs your 186 - but ease of play & intonation very close to your 186. Excellent concert band horn and right at home in a traditional jazz group. Unfortunately, the current build quality coming out of the factory on new ones is pretty poor -no where close to your 186. 2341’s also are bulky with that big 20” in bell. A 186 is much easier to navigate doors and trunks than a 2341 - easier to carry or put on your back in a gig bag than a 2341. You would probably want to look at the better quality clones of the 2341 - such as the Eastman - but those have gotten pricey - if you are willing to spend that amount of dollars you would be well served to look at the current Miraphone 494.

I have a Mirafone 185 - from 1969. I think it’s really in the ball park of what you are trying to achieve coming from a 186. Smaller bore - air efficient - easier to hold & lug around. Can pretty much do anything from quintet to holding down a 40 piece group by itself and an excellent horn in a section. Think of it as a 186 light with the addition it can be a good substitute for an F tuba that has an excellent low range.

The current 494 really seems to be Miraphone’s replacement for the 185. Much easier to hold and lug around than a 2341. Different sound concept, but if you are coming from a 186 and that is the sound you prefer - you really should look at the 494. If you are seeking a more traditional American sound than a (new style) 2341 or copy is definitely something to look at - (also more widely available on the resale market - since 494’s have not been out for a long time).

Posted: **Tue Mar 24, 2026 7:34 am**

The Yamaha 621 is the pro version of Yamahas 3/4 size. Very easy to play, 4 valves with good tuning. Big sound when you really push it but doesn't take a lot of air to get going. I'd recommend that over anything else, if you like the sound of the 103.

Posted: **Tue Mar 24, 2026 10:09 am**

The Mack Brass TU422 is a well-regarded YBB621 version with larger bore and 16 inch bell. Sorta splits the difference between the 103 and the 2341. Under $2600 brand new. Here's the link - https://mackbrass.com/tu422l-3%2F4-bbb-tuba .
Tim

Posted: **Tue Mar 24, 2026 10:29 am**

My 184 BBb liked to ride high on intonation. Tolerable, but not centered like the 186s I've played on.

I don't think it would take long to sell a silver 186, though!

Posted: **Tue Mar 24, 2026 10:35 pm**

tofu wrote: Mon Mar 23, 2026 11:48 pm Sounds like you have a small horn already in the Yamaha 103. The Lidl 701 mentioned in this thread is really just a bigger sound, much nicer build quality, rotary valves (excellent valves btw), bigger bell (16”) well made version of that horn. I had one - it’s a nice horn - but if you’re looking for anything close to the sound & projection of your 186 - forget about it. The Lidl would be just an upgrade of your 103.

I have a 2341 - different sound concept vs your 186 - but ease of play & intonation very close to your 186. Excellent concert band horn and right at home in a traditional jazz group. Unfortunately, the current build quality coming out of the factory on new ones is pretty poor -no where close to your 186. 2341’s also are bulky with that big 20” in bell. A 186 is much easier to navigate doors and trunks than a 2341 - easier to carry or put on your back in a gig bag than a 2341. You would probably want to look at the better quality clones of the 2341 - such as the Eastman - but those have gotten pricey - if you are willing to spend that amount of dollars you would be well served to look at the current Miraphone 494.

I have a Mirafone 185 - from 1969. I think it’s really in the ball park of what you are trying to achieve coming from a 186. Smaller bore - air efficient - easier to hold & lug around. Can pretty much do anything from quintet to holding down a 40 piece group by itself and an excellent horn in a section. Think of it as a 186 light with the addition it can be a good substitute for an F tuba that has an excellent low range.

The current 494 really seems to be Miraphone’s replacement for the 185. Much easier to hold and lug around than a 2341. Different sound concept, but if you are coming from a 186 and that is the sound you prefer - you really should look at the 494. If you are seeking a more traditional American sound than a (new style) 2341 or copy is definitely something to look at - (also more widely available on the resale market - since 494’s have not been out for a long time).

Hey tofu: Thanks for all the great info. The Lidl kind of tweaks my interest. It looks better crafted than many of the Chinese tubas.I do want to get away from the 186 sound. Mack Tuba's look interesting...?
Larry

Posted: **Tue Mar 31, 2026 9:52 am**

Good morning !!
Your 186 is a CC or BBb?

Posted: **Tue Mar 31, 2026 10:46 am**

It looks better crafted than many of the Chinese tubas.
..........................↕
Mack Tuba's look interesting...

Posted: **Fri Apr 03, 2026 1:57 am**

Mira185 wrote: Tue Mar 31, 2026 9:52 am Good morning !!
Your 186 is a CC or BBb?

It's a BBb. Sold it

TubaForum.net

Getting Older

Getting Older

Re: Getting Older

Re: Getting Older

Re: Getting Older

Re: Getting Older

Re: Getting Older

Re: Getting Older

Re: Getting Older

Re: Getting Older

Re: Getting Older

Re: Getting Older

Re: Getting Older

Re: Getting Older

Re: Getting Older

Re: Getting Older