How to lead-tape a sousaphone?

[Chuck(G)]

Are you certain that the "buzz" isn't a loose bell rim wire? if that's the case, lead tape isn't going to help. Lead tape or a leather belt helps not when the bell "buzzes" but when it tends to "ring".

The permanent cure for a loose wire is to solder the bell wire in place or to slightly crimp the loose bell over the wire. A stopgap fix can be as simple as melting some beeswax into the wire bead (it'll melt right out if you ever decide to do things right).

My own guess; others may recommend something more or less drastic.

But please don't use caulk--it's a *&^! to remove when the bell needs to be worked on. I've had it with 186 bell garlands tacked down with everything from silicone caulk to white glue. : roll:

[iiipopes]

Here I am! I took a roll of narrow golfer's lead tape, and went completely around the bell flare on the outside next to the rim. Think a miniature version of a Miraphone or Reynolds Contempora garland. Perfectly damped the overring without taking away the response, solidified tone and intonation, and projection almost doubled. And best of all, when you stopped, it stopped.

But as Chuck(G) said, check first to make sure nothing is loose, as a bell wire, brace, collar ring or screw, etc. Then only if after everything is secure it still overrings, then apply the tape. Old solder joints can deteriorate and break, and this especially includes the solder holding the bell rim wire in place, as there is such a long length of wire for the circumference of the bell and very little area to apply solder without it spilling or the flux leaching out onto the rest of the bell.

[Art Hovey]

I got rid of a buzz by buying some clear, flexible plastic tubing at a hardware store, slitting one side with a razor blade, and slipping it over the bell rim. Lots of guys use similar tubing on their bell. It deadens unwanted vibrations and also protects the rim from damage.

[iiipopes]

A friend of mine with a M-W 11 also did the clear tubing, and it works very well to center the tone and projection. It just wasn't enough on my souzy.