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Brilliant!

What an excellent - and innovative - idea!

It's worth a try.

Just wanted to thank the original O.P. -
I played a standing / dancing gig today with a Conn Jumbo 46K for about 40 minutes or so - thanks to your gel seat tip I was pain-free after the gig, and still able to lift a pint with my left arm.

KiltieTuba wrote:You must have some real trouble with extra weight.

? Inside joke?

My 40K, which I suppose is lighter, is comfortable as could be for short stints where I'm just standing, but after long parade there's owies that take a while to heal, and it has a nice brass shoulder plate. The bicycle seat reminds me, in the old days at least bicyclists were pretty careful about their undergarments, no seams in the wrong places. I suppose it would be worthwhile to think about how whether there could be any seams or wrinkles next to your skin, where the sousaphone is resting on your shoulder.

Donn wrote:

KiltieTuba wrote:You must have some real trouble with extra weight.

? Inside joke?

My 40K, which I suppose is lighter, is comfortable as could be for short stints where I'm just standing, but after long parade there's owies that take a while to heal, and it has a nice brass shoulder plate. The bicycle seat reminds me, in the old days at least bicyclists were pretty careful about their undergarments, no seams in the wrong places. I suppose it would be worthwhile to think about how whether there could be any seams or wrinkles next to your skin, where the sousaphone is resting on your shoulder.

No, not an inside joke. Ian simply feels compelled to make an unnecessary comment whenever the weight of a Jumbo sousaphone is mentioned. Ian, aren't you supposed to be on hiatus?
In any case, Donn, the Raincatcher I sometimes use also has a nice brass shoulder plate - essentially it's the same as a 40K with a different bell. The Jumbo that I have does not have a shoulder plate. I know that Steve Marcus' does, and he feels that it helps to distribute the weight more evenly.

It sure does. If it's a good match with shoulder anatomy, I'd guess a shape that distributes weight is more important than padding. But evidently the bicycle seat has both virtues.

Back in high school, I found another cheap effective solution. Crotch Waffles!!! You know, the feminine maxi pads!! With their adhesive strip, they would affix easily to the inside of my marching band uniform, and stay in place. Best yet, the padded side was down on my bare shoulder which would effectively absorb sweat..............psst.......just don't tell anyone.