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Hey there:

Has anyone else purchased the BBC tuba stand? If so, are you having problems with the rubber topper disintegrating? On either side of the rubber part, my tuba seems to be rubbing off much of the surface at a quick pace. I'd like to slow the disintegration, or stop it entirely. Is there something that can harden rubber?

Also... do you experience the stand getting slippery when even a microscopic drop of water touches it? Mine gets a drop on it, and my tuba is sliding all over. Stability and repetitive placement of my horn in the same place EVERY time I play was the reason for using the stand in the first place. Having a slippery tuba muddles that considerably.

Thanks to any of those experts on rubberization and compounds that might help!

you can try gluing some of that drawer liner stuff (sold by Rubbermaid and other companies) to the top of the stand. I would use Perfect Glue 1 (you can get it from Home Depot). If it sticks to the rubber on the stand (which it should...there are only a coulple of types of rubber I couldn't get it to stick to), the drawer liner is very non slip.

I've experienced both issues with my DEG stand (haven't picked up a BBC one yet)...

I've heard (and may try) that covering the surface with one of those fancy athletic socks with the rubber tread on the bottom works pretty well, and the sock part will absorb moisture rather than turn the top into an oil slick.

JHardisk wrote:Has anyone else purchased the BBC tuba stand? If so, are you having problems with the rubber topper disintegrating?

The top on the BBC stand is the same as comes with the K&M stand.

Both of my heavy tubas (the York Master and the Holton) have a spine that covers the bottom bow. That spine digs into the rubber and has created a groove at the edge of the cradle. But after the initial bit of wear, there has been no further wear. It really hasn't been a problem for me.

One beef I have with this material is that it's a little too tacky, and that may be contributing to the issue, depending on how you hold your horn. I've considered covering the saddle with felt to provide a surface that the tuba would slide on easily, making it possible to reposition the tuba without lifting or dragging across the tacky rubber. That sliding action is what is causing the wear, I think.

But the molded rubber is vastly more durable than the soft closed-cell foam used in other stands (and previously by K&M).

Rick "who has owned them all and still greatly prefers the BBC stand" Denney