This is my latest version. I used a Benro A48FD camera monopod with a Driftmaster fishing rod holder for the top. The rod holder is designed to mount on a boat and has a 3/8 in. bolt section on the bottom that screws right into the 3/8 in. opening at the top of the monopod. The monopod has 3 sections that extends to around 65 in. and will sustain weight up to around 45 lbs.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/ ... nopod.html" target="_blank" target="_blank"
The only drawback, as I see, is that you have to hug the pole (monopod) right up against your body. It's not a big deal for me, but if you're a big person, especially if your torso/gut area is wider than your shoulders, it might be a bit uncomfortable. Although, there's a nut on the base section (red in color) that when loosened, allows the monopod to tilt various degrees while the legs lie flat on the floor. And, you wouldn't be able to walk and play with it (unless you put wheels on the base section.) It's great for standing or sitting and playing.
It wasn't cheap, as most monopods are not built to sustain sousaphone weight, but this one was able to sustain the weight. Plus, the legs lock up or down. The monopod was $89.00 at a local Austin camera store and the rod holder was $17.00 at a local Austin Fishing and boat store.
I'll test it out at a 2 hr. gig this Sunday.
