TubeNet

Hi all,

I’d like to hear from others gigging (think bars / pubs / cafes) with a recording bell tubas and how you safely store you horn between sets?

I know lying down flat is safest, but limited space and a careless others kicking it or standing on the bell is an issue. Standing or leaning the horn in a corner won’t cut it either for the same reasons.

What is a sturdy enough stand to safely hold a 5/4 tuba (think Conn 20J or Reynolds Contempora), yet at the same time able to be portable to take on gigs?

Preference is to not buy or use another horn!

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

https://www.amazon.com/K-M-14940-Tube-S ... B000NTBOBC" target="_blank

I've used this stand many times for exactly what you describe. They make a larger one for 6/4 tubas also:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/control ... &A=details" target="_blank

Is there a modern version of a playing stand for one,

Like this...

https://youtu.be/3Ds8b8aBEbE" target="_blank

Oh man, avoid that spindly design kind of stand that works on tension alone. They will tip right over with a bell front. Tuba Tamer is the ultimate but a PITA. Hercules looks very good.

roweenie wrote:

https://www.amazon.com/K-M-14940-Tube-S ... B000NTBOBC" target="_blank" target="_blank

I've used this stand many times for exactly what you describe. They make a larger one for 6/4 tubas also:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/control ... &A=details" target="_blank" target="_blank

Just bring a couple of these to your gig:

This might still sound a little 'risky'. I usually leave the mouthpiece in my bell-front horns and place a Vinyl cover over the mouthpiece. Then... I lay the horn on the floor resting on the edge of the bell... the mouthpiece... and the side of the bottom bow. Depending on how the bell is oriented it should rest nicely on sort of it's own tripod.

TheGoyWonder wrote:Oh man, avoid that spindly design kind of stand that works on tension alone. They will tip right over with a bell front. Tuba Tamer is the ultimate but a PITA. Hercules looks very good.

roweenie wrote:

https://www.amazon.com/K-M-14940-Tube-S ... B000NTBOBC" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

I've used this stand many times for exactly what you describe. They make a larger one for 6/4 tubas also:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/control ... &A=details" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

I double on bass saxophone and tuba, alternating sometimes in the same tune, and have been using a stand like this for many years (with a 6/4 Holton with a 24" recording bell) and have NEVER had a problem. The model designed for 6/4 horns has much longer legs than the smaller model, and can also be made to work with smaller horns, too.




YMMV.....

Lately I've learned to take the mouthpiece out of my bell front tuba, before I set the tuba down, because it rests on the mouthpiece. Wouldn't be a problem if it's a gentle set-down as I'm sure you manage to do 100% of the time, but it got away from me, I think it was the 1st time I brought it to practice, and the mouthpiece jammed in the receiver and did a little damage.

I have to agree with Roweenie on this one. I use a 24" recording bell Martin and have never had a mishap with this type of stand. I know that he and I have both played many, MANY gigs of exactly the type you describe. Short of someone intentionally pushing the horn over (and even that would require some effort) I can't imagine a horn falling out of this stand.

bloke wrote:
Each of those people (average age: probably 73) has paid $4000 for an eight-day cruise.

Double occupancy, I hope.

I try to balance the horn in a corner or lay it down flat with the mouthpiece in my pocket. One of the reasons I have two inexpensive old bell front horns and I take them on bar gigs is that I don't really care about them too much. Not that I'd like to see them damaged, but they're dented a bit, and I might not notice another dent.

If I had your repair skills I wouldn't waste them on this amazing sounding and very in tune money maker....

bloke wrote:Admittedly,
once I get every last little dent out of my Eb...and possibly put a finish on it...I might slightly step up how much I "guard" it during breaks...
...that is, until I put the first dent back in it.

I love that King! I also have a fixed bell front and a newish 2341. In fact, King's are all I have right now, and not a case for either bell front. The Eb concept interests me sometime, especially the English style, but with so much bass playing happening for me, having all of my horns in BBb works well for me right now while I'm off the road for now or for good. Still looking for the right sousaphone though.

Thanks for the visual on the cases. If I had a set of these in the past I might have taken that King on the road.

If I was on a job where the horn could get pushed over/ stepped on I would use the hard case for the bell at least. Then you can enjoy the breaks without watching over your horn the whole time. I have a set of four King cases. One for the body, one each for the 19' and 22' raincatchers, and one for the bell front. They're not cherry but could easily be made so. I'd sell the four for 200.00, buyer paying shipping. In fact,I 'd sell them with the silver King 1241( in crazy good shape) for 3500.00. We just moved way out of Orlando and I probably won't be taking any strolling Dixieland jobs and the cases take up a lot of room in our 60 year old small room lakefront house. I would only sell the cases as set though. Gig bags are cool but hard cases take most of the danger to the horn factor out of the equation.Ed

Thank you to all who contributed.

I have a knock-off of the K&M Stand that was discussed, I too am weary to use it because it is too flimsy, the arms flex to hold the horn in position, the foot the bottom bow rests on is too small, I wasn't sure if this because it is a knock-off/ copy? I've wondered how much better the 6/4 K&M Stand is, there are no displays in stores to try them out.

I like the discussion on hard cases too, unfortunately only have gig bags for my horns. However I missed out on buying 1960's Conn Hard Cases, I have a lead that could help can track them down.

What are peoples thoughts on the strength construction of the Conn 2xJ hard cases from around the 1960's? Could they double up as travel cases for domestic flights / long-haul railway travel?

sticky_valve wrote:
I have a knock-off of the K&M Stand that was discussed, I too am weary to use it because it is too flimsy, the arms flex to hold the horn in position, the foot the bottom bow rests on is too small, I wasn't sure if this because it is a knock-off/ copy? I've wondered how much better the 6/4 K&M Stand is, there are no displays in stores to try them out.

I have one of the knock off stands, and it sucks. This is a good example of "you get what you pay for" (kinda like Hellmann's vs. store brand mayonnaise - I no longer eat mayonnaise, BTW). Considering the value of your horn (and the cost to repair it), I think the extra expense is worth it.

I have two of the K&M Kaiserbass (6/4) stands, and they are very well made. The feet are considerably longer than the regular sized one, and, as I said earlier, I have never had an issue with putting a Holton 6/4 tuba (with a 24" recording bell) in it, either at home, or at gigs.

bloke wrote: I just set mine out of everyone's way, and on the floor.

This is a good strategy, provided there is a place that you can effectively do this. My experience is that the band is usually crammed into a tight space, and that no matter how careful you are, someone will likely step on (or trip onto) your horn. I personally like for it to be upright and visible....

(Actually, I resisted bringing a tuba stand to gigs for many years - carrying a recording bass and a bass sax was oppressive enough, as it is. Now, even though I'm older, and quite a bit more tired, I find the time and energy to bring it....)

.

I usually do what Dan does and lay it down, mouthpiece in, cover over mouthpiece. If I don't have room, I take it with me to another room.

For the Pit King, I take off the bell and lay the body on the chair.

I now have a lovely Hercules stand, and that SOB holds my King recording beautifully and safely... and If I want to I can bring a stool and play it in there too.

YMMV.