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Picked up this classic 1978 Miraphone 186 5v CC today. I've actually never messed around much on a vintage 186 and after spending 30 minutes on it, I can see why they are so hyped. It plays so well. According to the previous owner, this horn was originally restored by folks at the Colorado Institute of Musical Instrument Technology (CIOMIT) and it's in nice mechanical shape with evidence of good repairs throughout, including a couple of tasteful patches. The linkages are fast and silent. Obviously, it's seen some heavy use in its life. I am going to do some dent work on the dings incurred by the previous owner and might even get brave and straighten out the top bow cap.

Is this a keep or sell tuba?

With the long fifth valve!

I love it!

Looking good!

Where do all of these carriage rod nuts go?

Is there any chance you can measure, on the fifth valve lever, the approximate distance between where the lever pivots and where the ball/socket attach, pretty please?

I view the original lacquer as being of value, because it demonstrates that the entire instrument is still there.

York-aholic wrote: Sat May 16, 2026 9:10 am

Is there any chance you can measure, on the fifth valve lever, the approximate distance between where the lever pivots and where the ball/socket attach, pretty please?

IMG_2758.jpeg

Mine is from 1980, center to center measures 1-13/16”. Tried to attach a photo but it was too large.

alloybrass wrote: Sun May 17, 2026 11:08 am

York-aholic wrote: Sat May 16, 2026 9:10 am

Is there any chance you can measure, on the fifth valve lever, the approximate distance between where the lever pivots and where the ball/socket attach, pretty please?

IMG_2758.jpeg

Mine is from 1980, center to center measures 1-13/16”. Tried to attach a photo but it was too large.

Thank you. Is your lever the old style that looks like the picture I posted (stolen from the internet)?

Much appreciated!

Yes, just like the other picture. If you dm me I’ll reply with the photo. Alloybrass at g mail dot com.

@York-aholic I got 1-13/16" on mine as well (actually a little closer to 1-27/32"). And yes, carriage rod nuts! I might have a few rattling around...

gocsick wrote: Sat May 16, 2026 6:49 am Is this a keep or sell tuba?

I haven't decided yet, but right now it has the wife comment of approval ("that tuba sounds really good"), so it's got that going in its favor. I haven't really been able to put it down since I got it.

The past couple days I've done some boring/unsexy work on it, including repairing some loose solder joints and taking the dents out of the fifth valve slide.

I was noticing some buzzing on some higher pitches, and saw that a solder joint under the edge of the kranz had failed. I got that to readhere which solved the issue.

Still need to do some body work on it. No thumb ring is actually fine with me, ergonomically, but it would be nice to have one for completeness' sake. Oddly enough, despite having no thumb ring, it does have the lyre screw!

Something else nice about this horn: all the valves are vented.

edit: oh yeah, it came with a huge MTS case and a PT-88, if anyone wants those.

If you come down here you can make a donation of it to the bloke school of zero turn lawn mowing.

I like the old lacquer! I think you want to hold onto this one, but you know I'm biased.

From my experience, the old 186s feel more like a big F tuba than the big-belled, modern ones, which is something that I like.

prodigal wrote: Mon May 18, 2026 10:04 am I like the old lacquer! I think you want to hold onto this one, but you know I'm biased.

From my experience, the old 186s feel more like a big F tuba than the big-belled, modern ones, which is something that I like.

The bell is about the size of my Symphonie's. You are correct, and it just goes to show how these horns were the do-everything tuba for years and years.

The old 186s are the bomb! To me, they are just the right size and extremely well made. They will also last for generations. Mine is well used and is about 50 now and still likey has another 50 years left in it.

What size shank mouthpiece does it take? (Mine needs the small (bass trombone) shank, VERY LUCKILY Heavy_Metal had a PT-49XS that brought everything into happiness for it!)

I'm jealous of your RH 5th valve, I tend to lay my left arm over the top bow lazily to adjust the 1st slide for middle space D (all the way in, for that note only), but then I have to do a crazy flourish to get to the LH 5th, which is kind of entertaining to anyone watching me.

The new ones seem to me very uniform and consistent, but these golden oldies have a lot of character, just like your Symphonie.

The PT-15 and my 186 feel very similar. I like it!

I'd hold onto the MTS case, though if I were you.

My 186 fits into the new blue 184 gig bag perfectly BTW.

Oh BTW, did you get a PT-6?

prodigal wrote: Mon May 18, 2026 12:43 pm What size shank mouthpiece does it take? (Mine needs the small (bass trombone) shank, VERY LUCKILY Heavy_Metal had a PT-49XS that brought everything into happiness for it!)

I'm jealous of your RH 5th valve, I tend to lay my left arm over the top bow lazily to adjust the 1st slide for middle space D (all the way in, for that note only), but then I have to do a crazy flourish to get to the LH 5th, which is kind of entertaining to anyone watching me.

The new ones seem to me very uniform and consistent, but these golden oldies have a lot of character, just like your Symphonie.

The PT-15 and my 186 feel very similar. I like it!

The receiver takes something a tiny bit smaller than normal American shank, but American works fine. Actually, I have a blokepiece Symphony with a euro shank plugged in it right now because I am too lazy to find my pouch-o'-shanks to swap it out.

Yes, lots of character, a very colorful sound! Fun tuba.

prodigal wrote: Mon May 18, 2026 12:47 pm I'd hold onto the MTS case, though if I were you.

My 186 fits into the new blue 184 gig bag perfectly BTW.

Y'know, you're right. I do believe in hard case storage. I just have too many empty hard cases hanging around right now and the garage is getting crowded! I have a Gard bag that will fit it well.

Not a PT-6 but found a very interesting Rudi 5/4 CC I'm picking up here in a few weeks from a board member.

I've never played a Rudy, but they seem to be highly regarded.

Now that Baltimore Brass is a Buffet/Crampon dealer, I told them that they might want to order a ROTARY PT-6.

arpthark wrote: Mon May 18, 2026 1:09 pm

prodigal wrote: Mon May 18, 2026 12:43 pm What size shank mouthpiece does it take? (Mine needs the small (bass trombone) shank, VERY LUCKILY Heavy_Metal had a PT-49XS that brought everything into happiness for it!)

I'm jealous of your RH 5th valve, I tend to lay my left arm over the top bow lazily to adjust the 1st slide for middle space D (all the way in, for that note only), but then I have to do a crazy flourish to get to the LH 5th, which is kind of entertaining to anyone watching me.

The new ones seem to me very uniform and consistent, but these golden oldies have a lot of character, just like your Symphonie.

The PT-15 and my 186 feel very similar. I like it!

The receiver takes something a tiny bit smaller than normal American shank, but American works fine. Actually, I have a blokepiece Symphony with a euro shank plugged in it right now because I am too lazy to find my pouch-o'-shanks to swap it out.

Yes, lots of character, a very colorful sound! Fun tuba.

prodigal wrote: Mon May 18, 2026 12:47 pm I'd hold onto the MTS case, though if I were you.

My 186 fits into the new blue 184 gig bag perfectly BTW.

Y'know, you're right. I do believe in hard case storage. I just have too many empty hard cases hanging around right now and the garage is getting crowded! I have a Gard bag that will fit it well.

Not a PT-6 but found a very interesting Rudi 5/4 CC I'm picking up here in a few weeks from a board member.

I'm with you on the cases, my tuba corner of the basement is getting cozy.

arpthark wrote: Mon May 18, 2026 1:09 pm Not a PT-6 but found a very interesting Rudi 5/4 CC I'm picking up here in a few weeks from a board member.

I'm Todd and I approve of this message.