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Re: Age and Horn Weight

Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2016 9:54 pm
by PaulMaybery
I feel your pain Terry.

Wheels. We need dem WHEELS.

There is a neat contraption called the upcart. It's designed with 3 sets of wheels to handle stairs.

http://www.amazon.com/UpCart-All-Terrai ... rds=upcart" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

I'm so close to ordering one. Even the small tubas present a problem when there is distance involved.

In the mean time I am using a handcart that I bought at ACE Hardware and I strap the Tuba in the gig bag to the tubing with a large Velcro Strap. It's not ideal but it does work.

Re: Age and Horn Weight

Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2016 9:11 am
by bisontuba
Don't the Mirafone 184 and 186 ( and the Alex) help out in transporting horns?
Mark

Re: Age and Horn Weight

Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2016 12:34 pm
by bisontuba
Just wish somebody in the USA with the knowledge and tooling could make a carbon fiber/kevlar 'Accord' type case(s) for tuba.....

Re: Age and Horn Weight

Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2016 1:23 pm
by GC
I loved my 25J, but the weight is the main reason why I made the switch to Eb. I'm now interested in adding a small BBb. As much as I love the sound of a big horn, those days are over. Stairs and big tubas are not a good combination for out-of-shape aging folks.

Re: Age and Horn Weight

Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2016 1:43 pm
by bisontuba
Time for a new subject of light weight quality CC & BBb tubas....

Re: Age and Horn Weight

Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2016 2:34 pm
by bisontuba
the elephant wrote:
bisontuba wrote:Time for a new subject of light weight quality CC & BBb tubas....
You know exactly what I am talking about with this Holton. You were not kidding about how it wears on you over time. WOW! :lol:

Oh yeah!!! We speak the same language!!!!

Re: Age and Horn Weight

Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2016 2:36 pm
by bisontuba
bloke wrote:
bisontuba wrote:Time for a new subject of light weight quality CC & BBb tubas....
If bells/whistles, they'll be paper thin - like one of the two PCK thickness choices.
Joe-
I was thinking of a horn just like that for a 5/4 or 6/4 size horn.....

Re: Age and Horn Weight

Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2016 2:36 pm
by ohrlund
Didn't the valve sections used to be all metal on the tiger tubas?

Re: Age and Horn Weight

Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2016 6:28 pm
by DonShirer
I used a handcart with my 5-valve+hardcase but it eventually got too clumsy so I switched to a soft case and carried it for almost 10 years. But this season my aching joints warned me that I wasn't getting any younger, so I switched to a lighter compensated 4-valve model with soft case so hopefully they may last a few more years.

(I posted this yesterday but it disappeared.)

Re: Age and Horn Weight

Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2016 12:27 am
by royjohn
We all have different lives and different problems, so I can't suggest that my situation duplicates anyone else's. I only play for my own amazement, and I'm a beginner. I had to stop playing for a while because of medical issues, but I got clearance to start back recently. It was quite a chore to lug the Conn 20J and the Miraclone the seven steps out of the basement (split level house) to set up again. It's also a breathless experience to bring in a 40 lb bag of dog food 40 feet from the driveway and up two steps into the house. I'll be 69 this summer and have been having trouble with my knees for several years after nary a joint problem in my life. I'm also 80-90 lbs overweight, mostly from eating too much and sitting at a computer too much. I lost 60 lbs about a year ago with exercise, but gained it back after stopping.

What all this tells me is that I'm not ready for a slippery downward slope yet. I hate to consult docs, but I will be seeing an orthopedist and probably also a physical therapist, if some new regular appointments with the recumbent bike don't improve things. I still want to be able to take that Conn out to the car to see how it sounds at Church from time to time. I also have a long awaited trip to Italy planned for the fall, and the small town my grandfather is from is built into the side of a very steep hill, as are a lot of other towns we want to visit. No elevators there.

Just sign me as "not done yet." :D :D :D

Re: Age and Horn Weight

Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2016 1:14 am
by Donn
Since you mentioned exercise - walk. Guitar player in one of the bands I play in just turned 70, and he's leaner and in better condition that he was at 60 - not surprising since he walks several miles a day, sometimes over 10 miles. He got in with some other people who do it, and he seems to be having the time of his life. I expect you'll see some pretty fit older people in Italy, and no recumbent bikes in sight. I'm hopeful, as I'm only 8 years behind you and I recently about doubled my tuba load, in weight and bulk.

Re: Age and Horn Weight

Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2016 1:39 am
by royjohn
Thanks for the kind words and tips, Donn...I agree with walking in general...there's a guy at my Church who hikes in the Smokeys every week and he is 85 and looks great. The problem at present is that walking is painful most days and the bike, recumbent or not, is not, probably due to its being a non-weight bearing exercise. I am hoping that with weight loss and perhaps some kind of physical therapy and medical treatment walking and maybe even jogging are not out of the picture completely. :D :D :D

Re: Age and Horn Weight

Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2016 9:27 am
by Zypher
I'm excited to see the future of new materials in "brass" instruments. There are so many possibilities in material science. There just has to be a market for it.

Any place in the Midwest US have the Tiger or new Coolwind to try?

Re: Age and Horn Weight

Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2016 3:17 pm
by pjv
For the record, I'm in very good health, exercise regularly and have a fairly slim build. At 53 my shoulder isn't alway happy with some of my tubas. That's my body and I deal with it. Playing a lot of sousaphone probably doesn't help.
I've done some downsizing and can say the following;

My old Alex is a rather lightweight horn (if compared to, say a Miraphone) and has more than enough horsepower for the kind of work I do. This typical German model is a fairly compact build if you compare it to many American style tubas.

It could be wrong but I believe that the Kanstul's are also fairly lightweight. If you like this kind of tuba then it could be what you need.

My rather old Arion, though not light weight, is very small and compact. It's not just the weight of a tuba that can be taxing. They are cumbersome. A compact tuba is just easier to maneuver. I seem to remember picking up an Cerveny Opera not so long ago (very similar) and that felt lighter than my Arion. (felt; I didn't weigh it)

The gig bag. Many people are against it. For me it's a back saver. I vary rarely ever use a hard case. Why should I? To protect my tuba? I'm the one who has to protect it by being a responsible adult. Sure accidents can happen. But the only dents I've ever made was when the tuba wasn't in a gig bag. And what good is a perfectly protected tuba if my back is thrashed from lifting hard cases?
my 2 cents

Re: Age and Horn Weight

Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2016 3:59 pm
by Bill Troiano
Back in NY and after I retired from my teaching gig, my doctor told me to get in shape and lose some weight. Join a gym, he told me. So, I did and I never did anything like that before. I only ran, swam laps and did push ups as a conscious effort to exercise in the past. After joining the gym, at around 57 yrs. old, I got hooked into having a trainer and he got me into weights and strength training. I got hooked on that. I would do some cardio, but I mainly worked out for an hour a day, 4-5 times a week. I dropped the trainer after 2 months - more expensive than what I got for teaching tuba lessons. Without a trainer, I was left to watching other guys (and girls) at the gym, talking to them and reading about working out. I did well and dropped about 15 lbs. I've since put some of that back on, but I'm only 4-5 lbs. over weight now, at the most.

From that time since I joined a gym, I suffered various injuries, due to my workouts. Most were shoulder injuries. I would take some time off and get back at it. My wife would constantly get on me for using too much weight, but I figured I had to work the muscles to failure, or what good is it. Fast forward to now here in Austin where I belong to another gym. I continued to work out the same amount of time each week, taking time off for sickness or injuries. I continued to beat my shoulders up to the point where I can't hardly raise my arms over my head. Plus, I injured my lower back 2 years ago doing squats with heavy weight and it hasn't healed itself yet.

What's my point? Especially as an older person (I'm now 64), be especially careful if you choose to do strength training as a form of exercise or to get into shape. Joints and tendons aren't what they used to be when we were younger. However, strength training is a great way to tone up and lose weight. Vigorous strength training can burn more fat than cardio. But, other parts of your body can suffer. After a recent injury with my right shoulder and pain extending into my neck, I decided f@uck this strength stuff. I haven't been to the gym in over a week. I am now determined to feel better before I do it again, in moderation with less weight. I'm doing a lot of stretching, mostly shoulder stuff.

I mainly say this because I do have difficulty putting a tuba into a top loading bad, getting it out of my trunk, slinging it onto my shoulders and getting both shoulders through the straps. It's especially difficult with my 1292 and Miraphone bag. It makes me want to play my 621CC more, but it isn't adequate in a large ensemble. Yes, I would like a 4 valve 196X, 186 CC. It's about as heavy as my 621CC. I really don't want to get rid of my 1292, although I don't use it much anymore playing mainly trad. jazz, but I'm planning on getting my body feeling better to make using it easier.

If you're overweight and beyond 60, tuba playing can become a pain. Both diet and cardio (not one or the other) should help you lose weight and feel better and perhaps make managing a large tuba easier. If you choose strength training, circuit training is a combination of both. That's where you move quickly from one exercise to another with less than 20 seconds (or so) rest in between. You do 4-5 different exercises and then rest a minute or so. Then do it again, maybe 3 sets. You would use less weight than if you were doing straight strength sets and you're also doing cardio, as you keep your heart rate up by moving quickly between exercises. This is what I will do, if and when I return to this form of training. In the meantime, I will go to the gym again, beginning tomorrow, and do cardio machines and shoulder stretching exercises.

Of course, as you would read or hear anywhere, consult your doctor before attempting any form of exercise if you're not used to doing this. And, use LIGHT weights - something you could lift 20-30 times before fatigue. Bench pressing your weight is impressive, but who cares!

Re: Age and Horn Weight

Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2019 1:47 pm
by waterotter12
Back when I was a small 6th grader I had to get my tuba to an honors group I was in, which of course was in the basement of a local high school, which for some reason was down two flights of stairs. So I completely understand your trouble. I definitely agree that wheels are a big help. I don't know if anyone else has this issues, but I've always found it hard to control when I use the wheels built into my case. This probably isn't a great solution, but I found that there are strangers who are amazingly kind (and honestly stronger). For a while I refused the help of the parents who offered, but then I changed my mind, and it was so helpful.

Re: Age and Horn Weight

Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2019 5:31 pm
by euphomate
I'm in my 70s and of short stature (5'6") so the weight and size of a horn is an important aspect of tuba playing for me. I have never ventured beyond an Eb comp tuba, and it works for me in all the settings I need to be in. If, on the rare occasion a conductor wants or needs a bigger tuba input, he is free to go and get one, be my guest. Currently I'm very happy with a Wessex "Champion" 19" bell comp that comes in a wheeled hard case. It's a little lighter than the previous Besson Sovereign I used, but still heavy enough. On most occasions I can carry the horn to the front door of the venue, then once on carpet or timber flooring I use the built-in wheels. I carry permanently in the SUV a two-wheeled handcart for the occasions that require a longer pavement walk, or if I'm not sure what awaits me until I arrive there. Sometimes I use a Wessex gig bag (not on the cart) as a compromise, but their widish bags are of an awkward shape for me to carry. A YEB321 can be handy, but only rarely for any serious section contributions.

Re: Age and Horn Weight

Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2019 5:58 pm
by bisontuba
IMHO, what many are looking for is a brass 4/4 (no Yamaha 621, Weril, Conn 2J, etc. size 3/4) or 5/4 BBb and CC tuba with 4 piston valves & 1 rotor that has a 16 1/2-18" bell, .748 + bore, 'professional' quality build, slotting & intonation, and weighs like an old 186/Alex/Cerveny (thin metal)...under 20 lbs, and probably somewhere between 16-19 lbs.
When and if that instrument is made, it will be EXTREMELY popular....
My 2 cents....

Re: Age and Horn Weight

Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2019 9:37 pm
by Donn
Cerveny 681 seems to weigh somewhere between slightly less than 20, to maybe 22, depending on key and how many valves - 5V CC is 21 lbs.

Re: Age and Horn Weight

Posted: Sat Mar 02, 2019 4:23 am
by hubert
Yes, wheels is one thing.
The instrument itself the other one. I have recently bought an 5/4 early German F of 6,1 kilo.
Especially the earlier (handmade) German and Czech instruments are often leightweights (a 4/4 Bb often 8 to 9 kg), as you will know. And even some of the modern (e.g. Alexander, Cerveny) are of modest weight. There are always nice offerings at the site "Kleinanzeigen" (unfortunately not in CC).
Hubert