Tuba Stand Users: Which Stand Do You Like Best: DEG or K&

[sloan]

It's all about the height-adjustment screw....


DEG - the screw WILL disintegrate. Replace it with a bicycle quick release skewer (available at any bike shop - $10) and you'll be astonished at how well it works

K&M - folk with BIG tubas like them. Personally, I never have that much space at my gigs, and it just looks oversized and oeverengineered for my use.

BBC - could use the services of an industrial engineer. many tiny annoyances - but many REALLY good points, too. The height adjustment set screw is NOT it's best feature.

The other issue is the saddle. The DEG saddle is covered by excellent foam rubber that will self destruct after a year of heavy use. But...it does just what *I* need it to do. It's "sticky" and the tuba just stays where I put it. The K&M saddle (also used with the BBC) causes minor problems for me. My tuba seems to rotate to my left while playing it, and I'm constantly re-adjusting it. It must be something I'm doing wrong, but I can't figure it out.

I'd love a design that incorporated the legs from the BBC (improved to help with small problems), the "bicycle-compatible" tube of the DEG, and either a planned replacement program for the DEG disintegrating foam, or a K&M saddle that was a bit more "sticky".

Size and convenience - both the DEG and the BBC fit in the DEG bag and live in my bell. I'm just a bit concerned about the mass of the BBC and what it might do to the bell if properly accelerated.

[sinfonian]

Had a K&M and sold it for a BBC. I am interested in seeing what the new ones are like.

[kingrob76]

I've had my BBC rest for about 7 or 8 years and I'll never own another.

Has the BBC rest really been around this long?

I got one of the firsts, before they were being advertised.

[Rick Denney]

I've owned all of them - DEG, K&M, and BBC - and the BBC rest if the only one that has lasted. Until I got my BBC rest I was guilty of overtightening the screw for the height adjustment and would kill the threads in 6-9 months or so. I say overtightening because that is apparently what happened but any less pressure and the height would occasionally slip.

Ditto in most respects, except I didn't get my BBC stand until after they were offered and I never stripped the DEG bolt.

The K&M is clumsy to carry but it holds the tuba up reliably. The DEG was fine on light tubas like the Miraphone but I shredded mine with the York Master, let alone the Holton. The top fell apart, the foam pad crumbled, the feet fell off, and the leg hinges got loose. Oddly, the tension bolt never stripped on mine, though even with Captain Torque (my nickname as a mechanic--not a compliment, by the way) tightness to prevent slippage.

I preferred the folded size and lack of edged underfoot during use of the DEG, but the sturdiness and durability of the K&M. The BBC stand has the package size of the DEG and the durability of the K&M, and that's why it's my choice. Plus, it fits (after separating the top from the legs) into a padded DEG bag, and I keep it in the bell when the tuba is in its gig bag.

Rick "who has used stands since 1985" Denney

[lgb&dtuba]

I really like my Tubassist, but it does get uncomfortable to sit on for long periods of time. So, after a recent trip to Guitar Center, I have decided to buy a Roc-N-Soc Drum throne as I found I way to permanently attach my Tubassist to the bottom of the seat portion.

I've been using a Roc-N-Soc drum throne for the past 6-7 years. I don't have any special tuba attachments for it. The tuba sits just exactly where I want it on the seat horn. No slipping or sliding around. I do use a detachable seat back on it. Keeps me sitting in exactly the right spot on the throne. Nice to have that back support on my lower back 3 or 4 hours into a gig.

I never have to deal with whatever the venue thinks are appropriate chairs. Always have my own.

[The Jackson]

That's a pretty interesting thing, regarding Alan Baer.

The one thing I don't like about drum thrones is that spit gets all over it and things start a-slippin' and a-slidin'.

Cinroc, those titles change as your post count increases. It goes from "lurker" to "bugler", then to "valves" one through six.

[RyanSchultz]

K + M

[The Big Ben]

I'm trying what I saw Alan Baer-New York Phil-using...two drummer's throne's, one adjusted higher than the other of course. He had a smaller platform on the lower throne...the one the tuba was sitting on. It gives plenty of room for the tuba...no worries of slipping off and lessens overall tension in the upper torso which can only be good for sound ect. It is a heck of a lot to carry around.

I think guys like Baer have lackeys to schlepp their crap around. I know if *I* was a guy like Baer, I'd demand lackeys to schlepp my crap around. He has his name on a tuba, for God's sake....

BTW: I use a DEG stand to support the horn while I'm sitting. I like it.

[John Caves]

Ten years ago the foam began to crumble on my one-year old DEG stand, DEG must known there were problems with the foam because they sent two new free foam replacements. After installing a replacement pad, I wrapped a piece of black leather over the saddle, punched holes in the edges and tied it together "shoe lace" style. It works very well to prevent further cumbling foam, protects the tuba from the lower edge of the metal saddle and looks great! I liked the K&M stand, but it couldn't lower the my 191 enough; the mouthpiece came to the bridge of my nose. Not good.

[The Jackson]

Maybe it's just personal preference when it comes to horn elevation? I kind of like to down into the horn while one of my sectionmates holds the 641 like a euphonium.

I'm pretty not-short (5' 11")

[Norm in Bellevue]

TUBASSIST.com

A cushion between the TUBASSIST and one's rear will easily solve the discomfort issue. The TUBASSIST is quickly adjustable up/down, fore/aft, and side to side. And no part of it is on the floor.

[Mark]

Am I the only one here that specifically uses a stand to ELEVATE a horn?

I'm only 6'2"; but I have a tall sitting height. I need a stand to elevate every tuba I have ever played. So, no you're not the only one.

I'm currently using the BBC stand.

[kingrob76]

Am I the only one here that specifically uses a stand to ELEVATE a horn? I only ever hear about guys trying to get the horn off the lap and lower. What gives?

My BBC stand just barely goes high enough to lift my YFB-621 off my lap and raise it the needed ten inches so that I do not have to stoop over to play it.

Am I the only tall guy who uses a stand on occasion?

Nope. I use mine for posture and breathing purposes exclusively - I've got that long torso thing workin'.

[geomiklas]

When I played the Cerveny Piggy, I used a Tubassist. As already stated, the Tubassist needs a seat cushion over it, otherwise it is a fantastic tuba stand. One issue that I have with it though is that it gave resistance when pivoting the horn for embouchure adjustment. I found that slighly annoying.

I found a DEG on eBay and tried it. I found that when I pivoted the horn for embouchure adjustments especially above middle C, the DEG would move and almost tip over. My 7 year old son now uses the DEG for his Euphonium--standing up!

I don't use any stand for my Mirafone 186. The leadpipe is perfectly positioned on it so that the horn sits on my lap and pivots very naturally. I have bth excellent posture and embouchure.

This past fall, I purchased a Roc-N-Soc throne (on a low DW tripod base). I really like the bicycle saddle, but I'm not 100%sure yet. The swivel seems to have some wobble (might be a DW problem). After reading this thread, I'm thinking about trying a seat back for my RNS saddle.

I appreciate hearing that someone has integrated the Tubassist with a Roc-N-Soc.

[John Caves]

My height is a mighty 5' 6". The DEG stand lowers the 'piece to the correct spot. It works for me!

[The Big Ben]

I know if *I* was a guy like Baer, I'd demand lackeys to schlepp my crap around.

So we can all expect a fully detailed post here that describes your experience at the NYPO Principal Mute Holder audition next month, no doubt. Good luck. I'll be rooting for you!

I'm not trying out for the job. Pays less than the one I already have. I'd be good at it, though. I've always been one of the guys who handled the gear. Once I was one of the guys who had to hump a Hammond B3 and a Leslie box from the car deck to the top deck of a cruise ship. Up eight narrow flights of stairs. And, two hours later, back down again. The ship had no elevator. I was young and tough then.

I can make up a story if you would like.

[Bandmaster]

Am I the only one here that specifically uses a stand to ELEVATE a horn? I only ever hear about guys trying to get the horn off the lap and lower. What gives?

My BBC stand just barely goes high enough to lift my YFB-621 off my lap and raise it the needed ten inches so that I do not have to stoop over to play it.

Am I the only tall guy who uses a stand on occasion?

I use a DEG stand to get horn off my lap and up high enough so I can sit up nice and straight when I play. I am 6'6" so most horns are not comfortable on my lap. I have not had a problem with the foam yet, but I have been careful with it.

But I had to modify my DEG stand. The base was a little unstable because the end of the center support was not high enough off the floor with the legs extended and would hit the floor. So I raised the collar an inch and drilled a new hole for the lock pin and this solved the problem. The stand is much more stable and no longer rocks back and forth.

Also the twist knob that locked the shaft in place started to slip because the threads were wearing out. So I replaced the knob with a bicycle seat locking screw assembly which works great and never slips. Plus it is a one flip movement to loosen and adjust the height.

[pigman]

the tubaassist is the bomb