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A BBb helicon has been on my wishlist for some time. Recently a 4 valve King raincatcher came along which was so nice that I couldn't pass it up (thanks Mark!). I found a King bell/Miraphone stack that had all of the right dimensions to graft it onto the raincatcher (thanks Dan!).

After fabricating a tenon to fit the raincatcher, voilà, a helicatcher. er, rainicon?

The nice thing is that this all worked with zero modifications to the raincatcher (one of the prerequisite for the project).

That's pretty nifty - especially since you kept the raincatcher all original. My only thought would be that all the BBb helicons I've seen (including my current one) have a pretty hefty brace for bell support so you might not want to leave the helicon bell section on when you're not using it.

tofu wrote:..... My only thought would be that all the BBb helicons I've seen (including my current one) have a pretty hefty brace for bell support so you might not want to leave the helicon bell section on when you're not using it.

I do not have a 'brace' on my custom helicon, either. I got around the hazard of the bell falling off by using bell screws with pilots on them that engage holes in the bell tenon. I told Tom about this feature and assume he has done the same thing with his bell. My bell gets 'thrashed around' pretty good at Volksfest and hasn't budged.

TubaTinker wrote:

tofu wrote:..... My only thought would be that all the BBb helicons I've seen (including my current one) have a pretty hefty brace for bell support so you might not want to leave the helicon bell section on when you're not using it.

I do not have a 'brace' on my custom helicon, either. I got around the hazard of the bell falling off by using bell screws with pilots on them that engage holes in the bell tenon. I told Tom about this feature and assume he has done the same thing with his bell. My bell gets 'thrashed around' pretty good at Volksfest and hasn't budged.

Yes Dan I did that and appreciate the suggestion. My original idea had been to solder a brace to the stack and fabricate a sort of half-ferrule, glue part of a leather guitar strap inside it and simply let it rest on the 2nd branch. Your idea is much simpler and seems very solid.

Thanks again!

How is the balance?

Front heavy?

Klaus

imperialbari wrote:How is the balance?

Front heavy?

Klaus

Not too hateful. I don't think it's nearly as bad as this ...

bigtubby wrote:Not too hateful.

?

imperialbari wrote:

bigtubby wrote:Not too hateful.

?

Meaning "It isn't too awful to play". The photo was to imply that I would rather carry it than a 3 valve compensator.

It sits more upright than the photo (I need to move the pad forward).

Very cool! I love the look of raincatchers! Helicons are growing on me too...

Tubajug wrote:Very cool! I love the look of raincatchers! Helicons are growing on me too...

It plays really well in the original (raincatcher) configuration, haven't played it enough as a helicon to get a feel.

In raincatcher configuration, the guitar player I've been working with calls it a "Dr. Seussaphone" ...

All of the sousaphones I've ever gone near have been convertibles. I mean, all you have to do is unscrew 3 screws and you can easily take the top off

Tuba Guy wrote:All of the sousaphones I've ever gone near have been convertibles. I mean, all you have to do is unscrew 3 screws and you can easily take the top off

Yeah. But.... they play in 'B' when you do that!