MW Travel F in stock @ Tubadome!

[J.c. Sherman]

And really, if tuba players not being able to warm up on stuff they've played for 20 years or so is SUCH a problem, then big time orchestras WOULD find a way around this (like my above mentioned money idea)!

Actually, it _is_ a problem...

First, you have to remember that the way these players become and stay great is because they PRACTICE. They warm up. They're in prime physical condition for playing. And that takes maintenance and work. But the fellers in the trucks have orders, contracts, and problems grabbing your 100lb shipping crate out of the truck or airplane just so you can warm up. They want to keep the contract. And... it's just not cool to offer a bribe (or take it).

Second, big time orchestras haven't really had a solution to this problem. I've seen the Cleveland Orchestras Tuba crate - you'd soil yourself over its size. It a monster! Just tossing it off the truck isn't really an easy option. And there's probably a Union involved. It's the price for transporting your regular ax safely.

Now, it seems there is a solution. And it may not be great for practicing your Prokofiev, but your daily routines and warm-ups, etudes, etc. can be well practiced and ready to go for the music you have indeed already practiced for the concert. It's innovative. A tornister is too (way cool!) but I think the flatter case which can be carried on or checked is a fantastic idea.

I go on a one week vacation to the mountains every year. The one thing which is a real challenge is maintaining my chops. My Hyundai with my family and everything we bring leaves room - sorta - for a flugelbone (sans case!). That's it. But I'd make room for this!

But admittedly, someone would have to fill my wallet first

J.c.S.

[ztuba]

I want one

[The Big Ben]

I go on a one week vacation to the mountains every year. The one thing which is a real challenge is maintaining my chops. My Hyundai with my family and everything we bring leaves room - sorta - for a flugelbone (sans case!). That's it. But I'd make room for this!

Hmmmm... Hyundais can be small... One of those Getzen/DEG 'commuter tubas' with the detachable bell might do the trick. Might be easy to squeeze the separate cases in places.

I wonder if a pro could amortize the cost of a travel F/tornister over a few years like companies do with equipment. A business deduction might make this affordable.

Jeff "But I don't know tax law" Benedict

[David Richoux]

I could see that BBb version as being great for street busking and jug band sorts of groups - easy to get around on public transit (or even a bicycle) and the sound would not be so "large" as to cause too many balance problems for un-amped or mini-amped combos.

Problems with up-front costs might shoot down that idea, however. I don't think many street musicians have a spare $5K to drop on such a toy - maybe if the price was $1K or so...

[The Big Ben]

I could see that BBb version as being great for street busking and jug band sorts of groups - easy to get around on public transit (or even a bicycle) and the sound would not be so "large" as to cause too many balance problems for un-amped or mini-amped combos.

I have a Mira 1270 3v starter horn I'm going to use in such a mode. I'll have about $500 in it and could have gotten by paying less. It's about 30-32" tall and built stout.

But I *still* would like a Tornister!

[David Richoux]

I have a Mira 1270 3v starter horn I'm going to use in such a mode. I'll have about $500 in it and could have gotten by paying less. It's about 30-32" tall and built stout.

But I *still* would like a Tornister!

I often use my Distin Eb 3v in those situations, it is quite skinny and relatively easy to get around, but it is at least 100 years old and kind of fragile for lots of "street use." It sounds OK for what it is... (better tone than a Jug, anyway :)

[J.c. Sherman]

I have a Mira 1270 3v starter horn I'm going to use in such a mode. I'll have about $500 in it and could have gotten by paying less. It's about 30-32" tall and built stout.

But I *still* would like a Tornister!

I often use my Distin Eb 3v in those situations, it is quite skinny and relatively easy to get around, but it is at least 100 years old and kind of fragile for lots of "street use." It sounds OK for what it is... (better tone than a Jug, anyway

Man, those Distins...

When they're in good shape... they can't be beet for sound! And they're usually lovely too!

J.c.S.

[David Richoux]

I often use my Distin Eb 3v in those situations, it is quite skinny and relatively easy to get around, but it is at least 100 years old and kind of fragile for lots of "street use." It sounds OK for what it is... (better tone than a Jug, anyway :)

Man, those Distins...

When they're in good shape... they can't be beet for sound! And they're usually lovely too!

J.c.S.

This is what mine looks like - a bit narrower than any other Distin I saw on the Horn-u-copia site.

Distin-Eb-tuba.jpg

but it looks a bit like this one: (Distin Variant?) http://www.horn-u-copia.net/instruments ... b-Tuba.jpg

[J.c. Sherman]

You're right - never seen one like that before!

J.c.S.