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I usually use my faithful Tubassist for playing and occasionally when that is not convenient, my K&M stand. However this evening as half the band practice was marching I did not bother taking a stand.

It is the first time I have played without stand for three years and I could not believe the difference it made. I was playing my PT-3 and had great trouble just getting comfortable holding it in playing position and after a while my left arm really started aching from steadying. I also did not feel I played anywhere near as well as usual because of the effort to hold the tuba. But most surprising was my perceived difference in sound. The instrument felt dead and it seemed to require much more effort to just produce the sound. I can only think the large contact with my body was deadening the vibrations?

So I will certainly not be going without stand again. Has anyone else here experienced similar?

If I forget my stand, I find a chair to rest the instrument on. I don't use the stand for my F tubas, but for the Holton, there is just no other way.

Rick "off to rehearsal" Denney

Rick Denney wrote:If I forget my stand, I find a chair to rest the instrument on. I don't use the stand for my F tubas, but for the Holton, there is just no other way.

Rick "off to rehearsal" Denney

After years of trying to deal with an arthritic shoulder, the tubassist came along. It has allowed me to continue playing long after I thought I would be able. I am grateful for this piece of equipment.

What is a Tuba assist? and what does one look like??I have a hercules tuba stand but I cant seem to sit a play it..I think it's just for holding your tuba when not playing...I have always held my little 3J but have to hold my knee up to make it even with my lips.. I like to sit up straight..bigbob

Neptune,
I have had a similar experience with a "dead" sound when not using a stand. It may be that the extra contact with the body damps the instrument. My theory is that holding the horn prevents a full inhale because the muscles on the left side of the body, as well as sympathetics on the right, are contracted preventing ribcage expansion. A reduced inhale results in a less robust exhale and less vibrant sound. When I first started using a stand, my sound improved and I felt a significant increase in expansion of my lower left ribcage at the same time. I expect that with time, you would relearn how to inhale while holding the instrument and the sparkle would return.

Bob Sadler

I have a 13 year old Deg tuba rest that I could not live without. I've played tubas without a stand before, but I wouldn't do it again.

WWAJD???

Did he use a stand for his York?

bigbob wrote:What is a Tuba assist? and what does one look like??

Unfortunately I hear they are no longer made.

I have been toying with the idea of trying a tuba stand. Not because I physically require one, but because of some of the benefits I have heard can result from using a stand - some of which have been stated in this post.

Knowing nothing about tuba stands, are there some models any of you would recommend I consider purchasing, and what attributes impress you enough for you to to make your recommendation (design, portability, weight, cost, comfort, quality of construction...).

I don't know if this is relevant, or useful, information, but I am 6'3" and play a King 1241.

TubaBobH wrote:Knowing nothing about tuba stands, are there some models any of you would recommend I consider purchasing, and what attributes impress you enough for you to to make your recommendation (design, portability, weight, cost, comfort, quality of construction...).

There are about half a dozen choices. Here's a synopsis:

Conn Tuba Tamer: Uniquely among these options holds the instrument up without assistance. Don't even think of this one unless you have native bearers.

DEG Music Rest: Works fine for smaller, lighter tubas, but is rather cheaply made. I used one for years with a Miraphone, but the heavier York Master ruined it in months.

K&M: Super quality, high price, heavy, and bulky when folded. Made like a good drum stand. Bring your checkbook. Also, it's kind-of chromy.

Baltimore Brass stand: Compact when folded, as well made as the K&M, a little more discreet, good price. This is my current choice and what I recommend.

TubAssist: Favored by many, but I don't like having to deal with the chair connection.

Stewart Stand: Requires attachment to the instrument, and places a cello pin behind the instrument to rest on the chair. I had one, but I greatly prefer the type that sits on the floor.

Of these, only the DEG, K&M, and Baltimore Brass stands are currently made (though I'm not sure about the Stewart Stand). All are available on the used market if you are patient, though.

Then there are the options not purpose-built, the favorite of which is a cheapie drum throne.

If you dig around, there are pictures of all of these at various places in the archives. I've given you some search terms to play with.

Rick "who has a K&M at home but who carries a Baltimore Brass stand with the instrument" Denney

Thanks Rick. Great synopsis of playing stands from which I can start to further research.

I had never heard of a Steward stand, so just did search. Is available from WWBW, but at a whopping $170! That makes the K&M at $105 seem cheap.

I would like to try the Baltimore Stand - sounds worth checking out.

Neptune wrote:I had never heard of a Steward stand, so just did search. Is available from WWBW, but at a whopping $170! That makes the K&M at $105 seem cheap.

I would like to try the Baltimore Stand - sounds worth checking out.

I have had both the K&M and BB stand: I concur with Rick about the BB stand. It is far superior to the K&M, as well as cheaper--win/win!

I'm using a Baltimore Brass stand with my Conn 20J which weighs over 50 lbs (the tuba, not the stand). Even on the back of a truck this stand never slips, unlike the DEG which I have since discarded.

Neptune wrote:

bigbob wrote:What is a Tuba assist? and what does one look like??

Unfortunately I hear they are no longer made.

That's really neat anyone have diagram I think I could make one or see a picture of it in it's entirety also anyone have a pic of the BB stand? bigbob................www.rgisculptures.com

I recently purchased a Neptune, should I get the K&M ordinary stand from wwbw? Or its a bad thing to get used too? I'm 1.8m by the way.

Tubist1993 wrote:I recently purchased a Neptune, should I get the K&M ordinary stand from wwbw?

I sometime use the K&M stand with my Neptune and it is fine unless you get an exceptionally low chair - it may not go down far enough in that case. I wonder does the BB stand go lower?

Neptune wrote:

Tubist1993 wrote: I wonder does the BB stand go lower?

Yes, by about 3/4", just enough for my high leadpipe. I also carry a round 2" x17" foam cushion in my gig bag for both comfort whilst sitting, raising me a tad higher for those really low chairs, and for additional protection for the bell in the bag.
For Tubist1993: consider a BB stand over the K&M.

pwhitaker wrote:I'm using a Baltimore Brass stand with my Conn 20J which weighs over 50 lbs (the tuba, not the stand). Even on the back of a truck this stand never slips, unlike the DEG which I have since discarded.

50 pounds? My 20J was more like 30 or 32. Have you added lead plates to yours?

Rick "suggesting some quality time with a scale" Denney

Rick Denney wrote:

pwhitaker wrote:I'm using a Baltimore Brass stand with my Conn 20J which weighs over 50 lbs (the tuba, not the stand). Even on the back of a truck this stand never slips, unlike the DEG which I have since discarded.

50 pounds? My 20J was more like 30 or 32. Have you added lead plates to yours?

Rick "suggesting some quality time with a scale" Denney

Some players have a very heavy sound, which should be factored in also.

K

If the holes in the seat plate are supposed to be ball bearings, then I would just say that not even I need that many bearings.

K