Now Why Didn't We Think of This???

windshieldbug · Post by **windshieldbug** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 11:35 am

Bb Sousaphone - Complete and playable

All the tonal advantages of fiberglass combined with all the weight advantages of brass combined with all the flexibility of no bits!

TubaRay · Post by **TubaRay** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 1:07 pm

It doesn't get any better than this, does it?

dmmorris · Post by **dmmorris** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 1:45 pm

I'm thinkin' of painting my ol' helicon white so it will at least look-like fiberglass.

Which is better?.....oil based white paint or latex white paint?.....flat or gloss?

Joe Baker · Post by **Joe Baker** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 2:01 pm

Bloke has long been an exponent of mating brass bells to fiberglass sousaphones. So much of the weight is in the coil, and (according to Joe's tests) the bell is where brass makes the big difference. A while back, he was even inquiring as to the interest in semi-mass-producing a silver-looking fiberglass sousa with a silver-plated bell:

viewtopic.php?t=6863

I think there's much to be said for the idea. If my shoulder and neck problems stem, as I think they do, from playing a brass sousaphone, then I'd hate to think what some of the smaller players may some day have to deal with.
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Joe Baker, who would really like to try one of these -- with the bits, though!

windshieldbug · Post by **windshieldbug** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 2:53 pm

Joe Baker wrote:Bloke has long been an exponent of mating brass bells to fiberglass sousaphones

Ok, I'll admit I was just being a smart *ss by starting this, and the reference you gave was for was for modified/painted fiberglass sousas... but now you've got me interested...

Has anyone ever tried a metal bell on a fiber sousa, and if so, how did it play? Like metal, fiber, or in-between?

Chuck(G) · Post by **Chuck(G)** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 3:34 pm

windshieldbug wrote:Has anyone ever tried a metal bell on a fiber sousa, and if so, how did it play? Like metal, fiber, or in-between?

I get my fiber like this:

and find it plays a whole lot better than this:

Haven't tried metal yet...

Doug@GT · Post by **Doug@GT** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 4:02 pm

It took me reading three posts to discover this thread wasn't about the bean-bag.

Doug "who thinks THAT is a good idea"

Joe Baker · Post by **Joe Baker** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 4:36 pm

Chuck(G) wrote: I get my fiber like this:

and find it plays a whole lot better than this:

Haven't tried metal yet...

So, you're more into percussion than winds?
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Joe Baker, who is definitely more into winds....