WTB - "keel"

[Uncle Buck]

I apologize that this is not directly responsive to the original post, but I've always wondered what the purpose of a "keel" is, anyway. It at least has the potential to make the tuba more uncomfortable on the lap, but is completely inadequate to allow a tuba to rest on a chair.

Of course, I've never played a tuba with a "keel", (even in Jr. High or High School) but whenever I've seen one, I've always just wondered what the heck it was for.

[Steve Inman]

It allows the tuba to sail a straight line, preventing the cross-wind in the sails from pushing the tuba sideways through the water. Exactly the same purpose as when used on a sail boat, fwiw . . . .

Steve "har, har" Inman
HMS Kokomo Indiana

[Rick Denney]

I apologize that this is not directly responsive to the original post, but I've always wondered what the purpose of a "keel" is, anyway. It at least has the potential to make the tuba more uncomfortable on the lap, but is completely inadequate to allow a tuba to rest on a chair.

Of course, I've never played a tuba with a "keel", (even in Jr. High or High School) but whenever I've seen one, I've always just wondered what the heck it was for.

My Sanders/Cerveny had one. Most uncomfortable.

But if I'm not mistaken, I'll guess that Bloke wants something protective on the bottom edge of his CC helicon project--something that looks old, but that will make it possible for him to rest the instrument on the floor without denting the bow.

Rick "just guessing" Denney

[Dan Schultz]

I would make a quick trip to a sheet metal shop and purchase an appropriate length strip of 1/4" x 3/4" brass and have them roll it to the required contour. Then a trip to the bandsaw for the outside shape.