FS/FT: Miraphone 188
Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2026 7:58 pm
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
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