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I have done some searching but had very little success with specification.

I am looking for a tuba stand that has greater variability with height. I currently use a DEG tuba stand and it is OK (apart from the sticky foam problem) but there are times when I cannot get the stand to go low enough. Depending on the venue the chairs can sometimes be quite short (schools, churches, etc). If they are then the tuba stand even at its lowest setting is still too high for me. I generally have to resort to boosting up the chair with a pillow or going chair hunting with limited time before a gig. Annoying.

I could not find stats on the BBC stand or the DEG stand to compare the two. The K&M stand clocks in at 450mm at the lowest setting but I would have to get the tape measure out to compare it to the DEG that I have.

My next step is drum thrones and custom build unless I can get some solid stats to compare.

Looking for advice.

In my experience the K&M is the worst as far as getting it low enough for short chairs. In fact, even with Wenger student chairs the K&Ms we have aren't low enough for tall-belled tubas with low leadpipes.

The BBC is the best, IMO. I use one and I have no trouble getting it low enough even for the crappy metal folding chairs we use in summer municipal band.

The Baltimore Brass stand sits at 16" at it's lowest.

I have the same problem with the otherwise wonderful K&M tuba stand. I can get it low enough, barely, to play, but the legs are splayed so wide it's a trip hazard and the grip leverage is compromised. It would be easy, I think, to cut a couple of inches off the bottom of the tube and post. It just uses three rather deep punch marks in the metal to hold everything in place. One might have to shorten or relocate the three secondary arms after cutting the tube, just to allow the legs to fold up. I know, it cost a hundred bucks, or thereabouts... but it's got the best rubber cupping base, ever!

Here is a low one:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/693261-" target="_blank" target="_blank
Here is one of my sons using it on a Fafner:
REG/K_M_14952_000_55_14952_000_55_Tuba_Performer_Stand.html" target="_blank" target="_blank

I had the same problem with low chairs/high leadpipe when I used the K&M stand. I cut off as much as I could, but it was still iffy on some chairs. It also weighed a ton and the legs were so high someone was always tripping over it. I solved both problems with the BBC stand. It is low enough for just about every chair, it weighs 6 lbs, built like a tank, and the legs are almost flat to the floor. Cheaper than K&M, too.

From the archives: A picture I made some years ago comparing the height of the K&M and the Baltimore Brass stands.



Rick "BBC stand goes lower" Denney

Rick Denney illustrates the problem with the K&M. I use one at home with a substantial drum throne that I can adjust to the proper height. I carry the BBC in my accessory tripod case on the go. I've have had a Samsonite-type folding chair go too low for the BBC stand.

Stuffing one of these into the bell of my horn then allows me to have a soft cushioned seat no matter what the venue provides for chairs, and it raises me up by a sometimes crucial inch or so so even the folding chair works. You can pick one up for $35 or so, but they're very durable and very comfortable.

Another alternative would be to carry a small, lightweight drum throne, like this for example (this one holds at least 240# and has fixed adjustment heights).

When the chair is too low, I usually put another on top of it if they are stackable.