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pad for bottom bow of a concert tuba

Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2012 1:39 pm
by Will
Does anybody make/sell these? The weight of my horn plus the guard on the bottom bow is starting to bruise my thigh. I want to avoid a tuba stand. Was wondering if anything like that is manufactured somewhere out there or if I'll have to come up with my own set up.

Thanks!

Re: pad for bottom bow of a concert tuba

Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2012 1:58 pm
by Elbee
I hate to go off on a (slight) tangent with the first reply, but I wonder if a wrap on the bottom bow tight enough to stay put would have any effect on the sound produced? Just curious...
Incidentally my Euph is an inch or so short of sitting in my lap...I use a folded up towel...

Re: pad for bottom bow of a concert tuba

Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2012 2:31 pm
by Will
I don't see much difference in a towel and a pad strapped to the bottom of the horn.

Re: pad for bottom bow of a concert tuba

Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2012 12:12 am
by Art Hovey
Here's what works for me:

Image

Details:
http://www.galvanizedjazz.com/tuba/tuba-support.html

I have been using it for almost ten years now.

Re: pad for bottom bow of a concert tuba

Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2012 9:29 am
by Will
KiltieTuba wrote:of course I'm young, maybe I haven't hit the right age yet...
I AIN'T THAT OLD!!! :shock: :lol:

My horn is actually 22-25 lbs and the guard on the bottom bow is pretty narrow and about a half inch tall, adding about that much to the overall height. I just lay the horn in my lap and it sits perfectly, except for the pressure on my leg.

Re: pad for bottom bow of a concert tuba

Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2012 9:46 am
by PMeuph
The is a post on David Werden's board by a euph player who used a pool noodle to make a stand (not to relieve pressure but rather to adjust the height).

I have done the same thing and the pool noodle has yet to collapse or bend. If you have one of those laying around at home of you have a material at home, it would be easy to make you own pad and then just wrap it in some kind of fabric.

Re: pad for bottom bow of a concert tuba

Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2012 9:48 am
by basspiper
How 'bout some version of a sousaphone shoulder pad? Or, before I bought a pad I used to strap a towel around my sousaphone, held in place with velcro bands.

Dave

Re: pad for bottom bow of a concert tuba

Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2012 10:09 am
by Chadtuba
PMeuph wrote:The is a post on David Werden's board by a euph player who used a pool noodle to make a stand (not to relieve pressure but rather to adjust the height).

I have done the same thing and the pool noodle has yet to collapse or bend. If you have one of those laying around at home of you have a material at home, it would be easy to make you own pad and then just wrap it in some kind of fabric.
Considering that the infant car seat manufacturers use the pool noodle to adjust the height/angle of the car seats to fit the various types of seats in vehicles, these things are very durable. I was surprised at first but when we went to the car seat clinic at the hospital (sponsored by the state patrol), but after using one underneath the base of the car seat in my truck and then pulling it out after 15 months and seeing it still in good shape I'm a believer. I should see if I can find what I did with those and put them under the euphonium.

Re: pad for bottom bow of a concert tuba

Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2012 10:14 am
by Matthew Gaunt
In a similiar predicament. My issue is that I like to have born in lap (no stand) and since I am short often want bottom now lower than the chair. In dress pants the horn wants to slide around etc. Shelf liner works great but looks awful. Black towel may be ok but would prefer to attach it to horn but not sure of best way

Re: pad for bottom bow of a concert tuba

Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2012 6:56 pm
by davesluder
If you PM me or E-mail me I can get whatever you want made. I work with a local Amish saddlemaker who has been making some items for me, straps and pouches and the like. Lambswool can be used to "pad" any sensitive areas.

Re: pad for bottom bow of a concert tuba

Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2012 11:29 pm
by Chuck Tuba
I have had the same problem, and my solution was a small piece of foam or similar material and then stitched a small pillow around it. I have not had any problems with it so far. Also, stands are great for any person who needs to raise up their tuba or keep it off their leg.

Re: pad for bottom bow of a concert tuba

Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2012 2:54 am
by bububassboner
Will wrote:
KiltieTuba wrote:of course I'm young, maybe I haven't hit the right age yet...
I AIN'T THAT OLD!!! :shock: :lol:

My horn is actually 22-25 lbs and the guard on the bottom bow is pretty narrow and about a half inch tall, adding about that much to the overall height. I just lay the horn in my lap and it sits perfectly, except for the pressure on my leg.
To me it sounds like you have one of those blade like bottom bow guards on your horn. This that what is causing your problems? If so why not just have it removed? Instead of all the weight coming from that blade it would be spread out over the entire bottom bow.

Re: pad for bottom bow of a concert tuba

Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2012 10:20 am
by Rick F
A good friend of mine plays a CB-50 (he says it weighs around 30#). He added a black knee brace to his bottom bow which really helps. Besides the padding it comes with Velcro straps.

Here's a picture: (sorry it's a bit fuzzy but I zoomed in some)