Mira185 wrote: Tue Mar 31, 2026 9:52 am Good morning !!
Your 186 is a CC or BBb?

It's a BBb. Sold it

Sounds like you have a small horn already in the Yamaha 103. The Lidl 701 mentioned in this thread is really just a bigger sound, much nicer build quality, rotary valves (excellent valves btw), bigger bell (16”) well made version of that horn. I had one - it’s a nice horn - but if you’re looking ...

I can also recommend the Eastman 534—very easy to play and a bigger sound that a Yamaha 103/621. Won’t be the same sound concept as the Miraphone, of course.

Another option is a Miraphone 184, which I think of as an F tuba with Bb fingerings. But I think the 534 is less work to get a contrabass ...

I'm very happy with my King 2341. I'm sure the Eastman equivalent would do the trick for you, too. Going one click smaller, consider the Olds 99-4, the Bach Mercedes, and the Conn 5J.
Happy shopping.
Tim


Thanks Tim. The Conn had just came on to my radar also. I wasn't familiar with the Olds ...

As I’m getting older, I find my Miraphone 186 a little too much. Not so much the weight, but the larger bore. I just can’t put as much air thru the horn as when I was 30 years old. Just thought I’d ask for some input on my next direction. I played the Miraphone in a local symphony for a few years ...