Posted by ken k on August 02, 2001 at 23:16:51:
Howdy tubenetters,
I just tested out a Miraphone 186-4U BBb tuba for a student. It was about 15 years old and in very nice shape. It played just as I expected; no surprises, except that the valves were very noisy. I think it was the linkage or the stops. It has the "S" type mechanical linkage, not strings. The horn sat for a number of years without being played. The seller said he had it cleaned and lubricated by a local shop. I have no reason to doubt him. It defintely looks like it was worked on, and is in very good condition.(plus he is a minister of Music at a church after all!)
Anyone have any suggestions to quiet the valve linkage on these horns? Perhaps a heavy "3 in 1" type of oil for the linkage? I would like to recommend this horn for a student, but and concerned with the noisy valves.
ken k