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I use a strap regularly with a 186. As with any tuba I use for marching, I have the strap one notch looser than you would expect. Then I carry the instrument while playing and let the sling support the weight when I am not playing.

My left hand comes around the left side of the instrument (near the bottom) and grabs onto the main tubing slide. I can pretty much carry the entire weight of the instrument with the left hand, playing with the right hand. The strap is used to balance the instrument while playing.

I hope this helps.

I had the upper ring on mine moved to the opposite side. This resulted in a nearly perfect balance when using a stap. I could play the instrument without holding it at all, if I had to. This wouldn't be an easy task, however the mere fact that it is possible should help you understand how well this worked.

For those considering a Meinel-Weston harness:

This is a wonderful and comfortable harness, which supports the entire weight of the tuba at the bottom ring; the upper ring is used for balance and safety (of the tuba). Two well-padded shoulder straps transfer the tuba's weight to your body.

The harness is works on tubas that have the lower attachment ring located in the same place as M-W tubas: on the back of the bottom bow in the middle. Also, you should check that your tuba's lower attachment ring has a wide enough opening to accommodate the M-W harness' hook.

M-W also sells a small strap that goes around the tuba's bottom bow and furnishes an attachment point for the M-W harness. I have not tried it, as I use a M-W tuba and don't need any accessory for my M-W harness.

Allen Walker

I use a geetar strap. I removed the leather end from one of the ends and I loop it through, hooking it around the secondary upper bow (the inside one) The other end is the standard guitar end, but with a luggage hook through it -- this I attatch to the bottom eyelet thing on the horn. It sits right at the angle of a guitar and the mouthpiece level is perfect.

This configuration works well -- I've used this (and the same strap) for about 7 years now. I also like it because of it's simplicity -- no gadgets or contraptions to have to hang off of your body.

Here is a picture of it in action

http://www.tubajoe.com/images/gallery_p ... Timmer.jpg

My wife suggested a sax strap.Can you imagine hanging a tuba around your neck?As I mentioned before,the horn has a large throated recording bell,so it's quite top-heavy.Every time I let go the thing would spin upside down and wring my neck!(She's always threatened me with this but I never thought she would use my tuba to do it.)

I use a bari sax strap when I playing standing up. It is differrent than other sax in that it criscrosses over you back so that you support the weight of the tuba on your soulders not on your neck. It works pretty well if you attach it to the bottom ring though you must still keep a firm grip on your horn so that it doesn't swing around and get damaged.

Amy

√schlepporello wrote:
Do the right thing and buy a Mienle Weston harness.
Problem go far away.
I thought this was a pretty good suggestion untill I saw the price tag.OUCH! I like the two economical ideas that followed schlepporello's.

I bought one, paid the price, got a slipped disc, (paid the price again) now I carry my horn in my left hand without financial or physical problems

"Meinl Weston sells a strap on? "

I was waiting for that joke.

...........I was gonna say gag instead of joke, but.............

Can you try before you buy? I tried a harness for bass saxophone, and it didn't work out very well for me, though it presumably works for some combination of person and instrument. Different situation, but same principle - one size doesn't fit all.

I used climbing rope on my Miraphone, narrow flattened sleeve of rainbow colored woven nylon or something, run
through all three rings. It was a 190, if I remember right, bell up.