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Our school's Yamaha sousaphones are all in great shape and play well with one exception: They all play extremely sharp. I have to pull the tuning slide out almost all the way every time I play. I haven't had this problem with any other horn, and all the other sousaphone players are having the same problem. I was just wondering if anyone has had the same problem and if they know how to fix it.

Had the same problem with our school's yamaha's. Just pull the slide as far as you can and get the section as close to as in tune as you can. Just make it work.

How many bits are you using?

TheHatTuba wrote:How many bits are you using?

Every person should be using at least 2 bits. Also, what is the temperature of performance? In tune at 40 degrees on a football field in October will be a quarter step sharp indoors at 70 degrees, and almost a full half step sharp outdoors for summer 90 degree concerts.

It could be the player, not being "warm" enough or even the mouthpiece.

Also, these were designed to be used with 2 bits (I think...)

I'm using a Conn-Helleberg mouthpiece. Excluding the neck, I'm only using one bit, but on the Yamahas, the one tuning bit is the length of two small bits fused together (I think this is unique to Yamahas) so the bits aren't a problem.

KiltieTuba wrote:

SousaWarrior9 wrote:I'm using a Conn-Helleberg mouthpiece. Excluding the neck, I'm only using one bit, but on the Yamahas, the one tuning bit is the length of two small bits fused together (I think this is unique to Yamahas) so the bits aren't a problem.

There is your problem!

Yamaha sousaphones need both of the bits to play in tune - these should be different angled bits. Once both bits are used the bell can be placed perfectly for the ideal flat to front position in the more traditional setup like that of the helicon (playing position to fit riding on a horse). The bell collar could the be absolutely level with the ground and you could even wear one of those plumes!

Aye! Ian is right. There are two different angles: 45 and 20, but you use two 45 for one particular sequence of serial numbers and two 20s for the other set of serial numbers. This is due to the design and placement of the lower mouthpipe on older models. I can't remember which ones go with which at the moment...

There ARE no other bits to my knowledge, besides they only come with one bit.

That picture is 2 bits put together - the 20 degree bit AND the 45 degree bit.

BRSousa wrote:That picture is 2 bits put together - the 20 degree bit AND the 45 degree bit.

I'm telling you, Kevin, It's ONE BIT that is the same length as 2 put together. At first I thought they were two bits stuck together, bit it is one piece of metal.
I actually like the one long bit better than the 2 small bits. Its more sturdy in my opinion.

Add another bit and see if that clears up the problem. I believe it will. I used Yamaha sousies in college and while I was in the army--never a problem being sharp and they came with 2 bits, neck, and mp.

Let us know what you find out.

JJ

Even if you use both bits, which is what I had to do, it's still sharp. I just thought I had a natural tendency to play a little sharp. Everyone who played on the 4 Yamahas we had here used both bits that came with the horn and we all played sharp. We just had to make it work. Some of it may have to do with temperature. I know our band takes that into consideration and we tune idividually and in "trios" during every rehearsal and on game-days. The temp can fluctuate wildly here. In August it can be 105+ in the shade and in November it can be 30-ish so you just have to make whatever equipment you have, work.

Now, my school has 18 Jupiter sousaphones and tuning is almost a non-issue (we do have some sousaphone "holders" as opposed to players but hey, they love what they're doing so why kick them out). On my old Yamaha I had to pull the slide all the way out and used alternate fingerings and adjust with my embouchure. With the Jupiter, I pull the slide out between 1-2 inches depending on the temp and play 2nd-space-C 1&3 and that's really it.