TubeNet

Can anyone tell me where I can find a protector for the bell throat on my tuba. The acid in my skin is breaking down the lacquer on the sleeve joining the bottom bow and bell where my arm rests when playing. I would like to have a leather or cloth protector to keep it from deteriorating any further.

I have seen tubas with protectors before, but unable to find anything on the web at Baltimore Brass, Dillon's, Ferguson Music, and WWBW.

The horn is a B&S 3103.

Thanks.

John Dalen

I use these sorts of protectors because both of my tubas are bare brass.

Two commercially available choices:

This is the one from Michigan Music Instrument Service (Kevin Powers shop). I have this one on my Alexander CC, have experienced zero problems, and am quite happy with it. I did have to trim it a little to fit nicely.

http://www.mmis.us/wf/businessWeb/tubaWrap.htm

Custom Music does have arm guards / wraps available. Many of the things they sell don't show up on their website (this is actually the case with most music stores). Their version is made of vinyl and laces up. It is in two pieces. The first piece goes around the bell stack and has a pre-cut opening for the thumb ring on B&S tubas. The second piece is smaller and is designed to go around the bow opposite the bell for you left hand. The kit includes "shoe laces" to tie it all up. This version works fine, too and I have is on my F tuba.

Although I have silver plated horns, I have used clear contact paper and cut out a section slightly larger than the area in which my hand or arm is in contact with the instrument. The contact paper is actually plastic material that sticks. It is often used to cover windows to prevent visual intrusion, but still allow light to pass through. It's cheap and can be found at most dept. stores.

My only thought with lacquer instruments is the residue you might leave when taking it off; possibly a sticky substance. Removing that with a "goo gone" solvent might take the lacquer off. There are probably other solvent that wouldn't do that, though.

good luck - -

Thanks for the responses. It gives me the options I need.

Now if the Tubenet could provide free cash to totally overhaul and customize my Mammoth Holton, my world would be be in harmony.

John

"Goo-Gone" does not attack lacquer, at least on the samples that I tried. I think plastic tape or the clear contact stuff mentioned above would be a better choice than leather or cloth because the latter two materials will absorb sweat and remain moist in humid weather, eventually causing corrosion.