bloke wrote: Wed Aug 27, 2025 9:11 pm The new old stock bell had several little bumps in it - from being stored and loose for years and years (including after I acquired it, though I put it up on the high shelf in my bedroom closet)...

Well, the OEM bell on the horn had a few "imperfections" too...

Wow, Bloke, just wow!!!

Seeing these pictures BEGS for a posting of two BEFORE pics...this is amazing!

And we won't even mention the bell...

Bravo, Sir!

Done!

Enjoy reading about other's experiences and, lately, for being able to follow "Mr. Bloke" and his restoration of my own horn.

It's looking nice, but I'm still perspiring a little bit too much. (I took care of "bidnuss" stuff in the morning, and now it's in the low/mid 80's).

I'll probably finish polishing it in the morning...or (??) i can see about trying to finish it in the heat...I took a towel in there to wipe of my ...

I just finished straightening the carriage rod and doing a temporary linkage mount. That stuff passed the smell test. I picked over the entire instrument just a little bit, finished removing slide dents and checking back over slide alignment.

I'm still hoping to final polish and shoot lacquer on ...

Looking great, Joe! Also, great news about your overhauled cat!

bloke wrote: Wed Aug 20, 2025 7:26 pm It doesn't look all that different today, but the difference is somewhat significant:

This picture made me really happy! Here is the "before" photo, prior to "Craftsman Bloke" taking his shot...

I'm sure the "dear customer" will pledge to NEVER do such a thing as drop this beauty or knock it ove...DAMN! Correction: He will pledge to never drop it! BTW, you will supply a bottle of touch-up paint/lacquer, right? HaHa!

Pencil erasers??? SMH! That must have been a quick fix thanks to a harrowed and haggard band director (looking at you, Stryker, haha!)

Looking good, Joe. BTW, did I ever mention how much I like the contrasting silver sleeves with the brass main tubes? That, to me, is what sets a Mirafone apart.

The "ruggedly dented" mouthpipe is looking good...I love descriptive names! Looks like you even got it to sparkle a bit...

What part of the animal contains the almonds for the milk, haha!

Good luck with the carnivore lifestyle - carbs will kill you!

Saw an add for Allora AATU-105R Series 4-Rotary Valve 4/4 BBb Tuba with a hard case with wheels. I am wondering if anyone has experience with especially the case for this horn? Could a Miraphone 186 fit inside - the bell diameter for the Allora is similar to the Miraphone, but I have no other ...

Hopefully pretty soon!

Fascinating thread of your re-build of the 186! The end result looks really nice and sounds amazing.

Roger Dawson