I will be in the Rhine valley around Boppard for about a week in the near future. Would be interested in trying a Miraphone 494 if not too far away. Any suggestions?
Anything else of interest around there?
Thanks!
Eric
Visiting Germany
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arpthark
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Re: Visiting Germany
Miraphone has a dealer locator on their site: https://www.miraphone.de/amlocator/
As a starting point, it looks like the nearest one to you is in Koblenz: https://blaeserstudio.de/
As a starting point, it looks like the nearest one to you is in Koblenz: https://blaeserstudio.de/
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- Kontrabasstuba (Sun Jul 26, 2026 10:55 pm) • TxTx (Mon Jul 27, 2026 6:58 am)
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Kontrabasstuba
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Re: Visiting Germany
Perfect! A great shop in Koblenz.arpthark wrote: Sun Jul 26, 2026 9:53 pm Miraphone has a dealer locator on their site: https://www.miraphone.de/amlocator/
As a starting point, it looks like the nearest one to you is in Koblenz: https://blaeserstudio.de/
I would call them before
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- arpthark (Mon Jul 27, 2026 5:07 am) • TxTx (Mon Jul 27, 2026 6:58 am)
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TxTx
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Re: Visiting Germany
Turns out I’m an hour from the Alexander factory in Mainz. Tempted to visit them but mindful of wasting their time - the only thing they make that’d be remotely close to anything I’d be interested in would be a Bb 163, but from everything I have read that’s a way bigger horn than than little ol’ me would ever need.
Otherwise having a ball in the Rhine valley.
Thoughts?
E
Otherwise having a ball in the Rhine valley.
Thoughts?
E
Re: Visiting Germany
I'd just call them for an appointment if you're serious about testing. It's a rare opportunity to play and test current versions of Alexander instruments. My experience with them was very welcoming. Last year (and it should still be there as it was their showroom tuba) they had a very nice goldbrass Bb 164 there to test as well as a 5v 151 "Tenortuba". The modernized 164 does not take too much air and still maintains the beautiful tone. I did not ask whether there was a 163 to test.
By the way, if I ever have the budget "free" for the 151 despite it's far beyond my tenor range abilities, I'd order the 5v version they have on display.
By the way, if I ever have the budget "free" for the 151 despite it's far beyond my tenor range abilities, I'd order the 5v version they have on display.
Re: Visiting Germany
Go to Mainz. They can be very accommodating. If they have an Alex 173 check it out. Post pictures.TxTx wrote: Wed Aug 05, 2026 2:36 pm Turns out I’m an hour from the Alexander factory in Mainz. Tempted to visit them but mindful of wasting their time - the only thing they make that’d be remotely close to anything I’d be interested in would be a Bb 163, but from everything I have read that’s a way bigger horn than than little ol’ me would ever need.
Otherwise having a ball in the Rhine valley.
Thoughts?
E
B&S 3098 PT-6
B&S "Sonora" CC
B&S 4196 PT-4P
Holton 345 CC
und große tuben machen spaß. Ich brauche keinen anderen grund.
B&S "Sonora" CC
B&S 4196 PT-4P
Holton 345 CC
und große tuben machen spaß. Ich brauche keinen anderen grund.
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Heavy_Metal
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Re: Visiting Germany
@dp said "Go to Mainz. They can be very accommodating. If they have an Alex 173 check it out. Post pictures."
This. Mainz would be on my list if I went there.
This. Mainz would be on my list if I went there.
Frank
Principal tuba, Bel Air Community Band
Old (early 1900s?) Alexander BBb proto-163
1976 Sonora (B&S 101) 4-rotor BBb
~1904 York 3P BBb Helicon
Old Alex Comp.F, in shop
Principal tuba, Bel Air Community Band
Old (early 1900s?) Alexander BBb proto-163
1976 Sonora (B&S 101) 4-rotor BBb
~1904 York 3P BBb Helicon
Old Alex Comp.F, in shop
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TxTx
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Re: Visiting Germany
Turns out they are booked up on the one day I could get by there. But they were indeed very speedy and nice in their reply. Some other time.
Eric
Eric