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Hello TubeNet Community:

In a thread entitled "Tuba Recommendations", a couple of the members of the board addressed the structural failure of the DEG Tuba Stand and possibly some problems with the K&M. I have used both. I never had any serious problems with the DEG, it may have been that I was using one of the better ones, I don't know. With my K&M, it does drop under the weight of my VMI 2103, which weighs about 18-20 pounds. I have heard the Baltimore Brass stand is very, very, good. Are there any others out there built to last? It is troubling that professionals and non-professionals alike have had problems particularly with the DEG or other stands on a recording session or performance. This is serious. I just relayed my experience, which appears to me to be isolated. Please assist me with this.

I have not used any stand for my tuba that was made *specifically* to be used for a tuba.

Rather than spend the >$60 for a "tuba stand", I made my own out of a $40 drum throne (from local "guitar store" chain). I took off the cushion and placed a small disk made of four glued-together pieces of cardboard cut to the diameter of the metal base that the cushion used to sit on on the base. I also put a piece of folded-over shelf liner between the cardboard and the base. I stretched out about $5 worth of thick, black vinyl (from local fabrics chain) over the cardboard disk and tied it with a string to keep it more-or-less taut.

Boom! A $48~ adjustable tuba stand that only took about 1 hour (including dry time for the cardboard).

[Maybe] a disclaimer: I use this stand with my Yamaha YCB-621 (3/4 horn). I use the stand because, when the horn is in my lap, it is too high for me to have good posture. I have not tried this design (I did not create this) with a horn bigger than the 621, although I'm sure it could work just as well (or even better) with a piece of wood instead of the cardboard.

The DEG stand has gone through several variations over the years. One problem has been the clamp that retains the center column slipping. In some versions, it uses a plastic screw to tighten the clamp, which strips or breaks. It can be replaced with a metal bolt, or even better with a bicycle seat-post quick release.

Another problem is that the feet fall apart or fall off. Probably the most common problem is the foam on the saddle breaking down and coming off. I used one for years with a relatively light Miraphone, but under the much greater weight of the York Master, the foam dissolved and came off. I had already replaced the tightening screw, but had lost a couple of the feet.

I know of one player whose DEG stand used a different method for extending the legs. In his case, the legs bent and the center column hit the floor before the feet, allowing it to rock. He devised feet extenders from PVC pipe fittings until I gave him one of my K&M stands that I no longer needed.

I bought a K&M stand, which suffers from none of these faults, but which may not go low enough for some tubas and players. My issue with it was size when folded, and my feet getting tangle with the legs. And then there's the price. I still keep one at my practice chair.

The Baltimore Brass stand is steel, which quick-folding legs that positively lock in place when unfolded. The current lock screw is reliable and won't strip, and the foam saddle is guaranteed for life. It has been completely durable and sturdy even with my Holton. It's also significantly cheaper than the K&M.

Rick "who stores the BBC stand in a DEG case in the bell of his Holton" Denney

Greg wrote:Sounds smart.....pictures please.....

Sure thing!

Here is the stand in full setup. I will eventually cut the excess vinyl and adhere it to the cardboard so that all the extra material won't be in the way like it is, but it's fine for now.




Here it is with the vinyl removed. You can see the cardboard "cookie" which rests on the folded liner.




Here is the bare metal base that the throne cushion used to sit on.




The cardboard disc does has a dip in it where I put the bottom bow down, but there is no slippage occuring.

There is no way I could play tubas without using some sort of stand. I wanted to use just one adjustable stand and bought the K&M, which is the only one marketed here.

As reported by another poster, the K&M would not keep its position when used with heavy tubas. I went rotten about the mouthpiece sliding downwards. But as I use triangular seat with adjustable height, I decided to skip on the adjustability of the K&M. I put layers of rubber sheet and other stuff under the tightening ring, but the K&M still couldn’t hold its position.

The only metal of a relevant shape available to me that late night, when the problem had to be solved, was a diamond-dust-covered-file intended for grooming nails. I pressed the narrow end under the tightening ring, and tightened that ring real hard. To save on scratches, I covered the rest of the file with duct tape. And now that stand can hold even the Besson New Standard 3+1 BBb comper in place.

Klaus

In the past, I have used a cheap drum throne (about $20) from one of the big chain music stores. No alterations. It gives a nice big, well padded surface to balance the horn on. The only negative to this is it's larger size. Unless space in front of you is at a premium, this seems to me to be the safer, cheaper way to go. Here is an example:

Drum throne

You could even drill a few extra holes for a more custom fit for height.

I use the K&M stand at home. The feet are rounded which implies that there's no ideal adjustment height for the stand. I don't move the saddle from its fully down position when I play my RM Bayreuth since I adjusted this height with the leg adjustment. When I play my 191 BBb I move the saddle up about an inch. I've never experienced the slippage at this height that others are talking about. What's more this gives it a smaller profile on the floor with less metal to trip over, although I still do trip on it at times.

When I'm on the go I use the BBC stand. Unfortunately this is the stand that requires caution because it's rest, which is identical to the K&M rest, does slip while I'm playing. Really torquing it down does minimize but not prevent the gradual abdominal flexion and resultant restricted vital capacity caused by following the mouthpiece during its descent.

My point is that the K&M stand's legs can be adjusted so that your largest instrument requires no elevation of the saddle. Hence the saddle can't slip on this stand when it's so adjusted, as seen in my avatar.

montre8 wrote:I have the original model Baltimore Brass stand. Worth every penny. . I've never had slippage problems with the BB, my only complaint is that it's heavy but I gladly put up with that knowing the stand is sturdy......

As Montre8 says, there never has been a slippage problem with my BB stand; I put it where I want, and there it stays. I use a Mirafone 186, not the heaviest horn around, but certainly representative of most.
As to the weight of the BB stand--it weighs 6 lbs and is a bit less then my old K&M. Another advantage is that the legs sit almost flat to the floor, so there is no problem with my feet getting tangled in them.

For those with problems with the BBC stand on slick floors, go to the hardware store and get two packs of 5/8" cane tips. You need three of them and they usually only come in packs of two. They are a snug fit and won't easily come off unless you want them off. These are the rubber feet that you put on the ends of walking canes to keep them from slipping. LJV turned me on to this (thank you kind sir) and it does not impede the amount of vibration going into the floor very much, but it sure keeps it from sliding around. I have them on BOTH of my BBC stands. For the money, there is not a better stand out there than the BBC, mine just have a different homemade top on them.

Just my $0.02.

Happy New Year to all.

Roger