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I am looking for a product, but the problem is I don’t know what it’s called or where to find it.
It is like a sleeve that goes around the bottom bore of the tuba right under the thumb ring.

Here is a picture of a tuba with one.
http://63.126.125.94/cgi-bin/classified ... =retrieval

I made one of these for my Sanders 191 copy a while back. But I have since sold the horn. I sliced open a big manilla envelope and used it for paper to make a pattern. I took into account the angle of my arm as it laid across the bell and where I could attach it so it made move around while I played. Also, make the seem so it will be hidden between the bell and the wrap when you're done.

I when to a local yardage store (where they sell material and sewing supplies) and found some quality grade upholstery vinyl and some felt backing in a matching color. One yard of each is enough to make several guards (or in case you screw up the first try). Also I got one pair of matching color shoe strings and some velcro strips.

I wrapped the envelope tightly around the bell between to obvious attachment points (the thumb ring and a lower brace). After I sketched out my design shape on the envelope I cut out the pattern. I laid it on the vinyl and traced it out then repeated it on the felt backing. I carefully and slowly cut out the vinyl and the felt, so they came out very clean and neat. I used spray on cntact cement and glued the felt to the back of the vinyl. After it dried I sewed on the velcro strips and poked a couple of holes at the top and bottom for the shoe strings.

Wrap the finished guard around the bell snuggly, align the velcro strips and press them together tightly. Rotate the guard into position and tied off the top to the thumb ring, the bottom to the brace and tucked the the extra behind the guard so it would snag on anything. Voila... and nice looking bell guard.

The vinyl and felt are available in many colors if you want to make a statement. See the tuba on the left below:

Try the web address mmis.us

Scroll down to the "tuba arm guard wrap" at the bottom.

Custom Music also sells them (but you'll have to call and ask).

DON'T use leather. Not only does it absorb and hold corrosive perspiration, the chemicals used in some tanning processes will eat away laquer (faster than leaving the spot bare) and can actually go to work on the brass after that. I have known people who have gone to change/replace leather they have used in this regard, only to find that they have created problems far greater than they could have ever encountered leaving the spot "bare". This can even happen with certain types of vinyl, as well. Most of the horns I perform on are silver plated, and I use adhesive heavy guage tinfoil that's not too conspicuous on a silver horn. It doesn't LOOK as cool, but there are never any "surprises" waiting for me when I change it and it protects the horn for a long period of time.

harold wrote: Dave, is that a before photo of your 345? Man, it sure looks different in pieces. The new bow cap looks fantastic.

Why is the strap ring on the front of the bow?

Hey Harold, nope... that is NOT my 345, that is the Lyon & Healy that we found in the Pomona Concert Band's storage room. I had posted this photo earlier as a comparison to show off the L&H. But this photo showed my Sanders and the guard I made for it, so I used here. I was in a hurry and didn't have time to go back and crop it down to show just the Sanders. My Holton is in my Avatar. And yes, Dan did a great job on the bottom bow.

Why is the strap ring on the front of the bow of the L&H? Your guess is as good as mine!

Bandmaster wrote:Why is the strap ring on the front of the bow of the L&H? Your guess is as good as mine!

Prevous hole or crimp in the bow from straightening? (I know that's why my flugelhorn now has a lyre holder in a very strange place... lower right, just above the amado water key)