tuba strap/harness--playing

[scottw]

I remember that this was discussed way back. As with many things, I paid a little attention but it didn't concern me at the time. Well--things change, and I lost my strap. The funny thing is, I can't even remember where I got it; it really didn't work all that well, but I got by for the half dozen times a year I used it.Now that I am faced with buying something new, it may as well be something that works better on my Mirafone 186, c. 1971. The horn has the 2 standard attachment loops. I do not march, but there is the occasional stroll from one location to another where it makes no sense putting it back in the dent bag and carrying it that way; there are times when I will stand and play where there is no chair available. My back is usually terrible, so something ergonomic would be appreciated! Any recommendations?
Thanks in advance.
Scottw

[Tuba Guy]

I just got one yesterday.
At first I went into a sports shop, to their gun aisle (not happy being there, but that's another story). I found a rifle strap with hooks on the end that would work in most Miraphones (I think) with the narrow, thin hooks. The problem is that my horns almost all have the thick round ones, so it couldn't fit in. I ended up going to a gun shop (not happily at all, but I didn't get shot, so that's a good sign). Got a strap and fit a buckle from a dog leash onto the ends...it fits perfectly, and is incredibly comfortable.

[Wyvern]

I have tried quite a number of different methods, but for a tuba with German type hooks (centre bottom bow and under the leadpipe) have found this sort of harness with hanging hook to attach tuba to be the best

http://www.hornboerse.de/lshop,showdeta ... -41,,,.htm

[scottw]

I have tried quite a number of different methods, but for a tuba with German type hooks (centre bottom bow and under the leadpipe) have found this sort of harness with hanging hook to attach tuba to be the best

http://www.hornboerse.de/lshop,showdeta ... -41,,,.htm

That looks like it might actually be reasonably comfortable! Either my German is worse that I think or they don't identify the maker--any idea of who makes this? I would hate to order it from Germany--a lot of postage.

[rocksanddirt]

I'm in kinda the same boat....an older 186, and it's not always convient to sit, or have a tall enough stool to set the horn on...(standard bar hight stools are generally pretty good for me, just short enough that I have to spread my legs a bit)

[Naptown Tuba]

You may also want to ask "at exactly what altitude does your chute open, and will your tuba be fully protected when you hit the ground."

[imperialbari]

The maker is Stölzel, but I cannot find his site.

Klaus

[Dan Schultz]

I have tried quite a number of different methods, but for a tuba with German type hooks (centre bottom bow and under the leadpipe) have found this sort of harness with hanging hook to attach tuba to be the best

That's a Meinl Weston tuba harness. I bought mine at Woodwind/Brasswind a few years back. It's still listed there and on Music 123 as well. Expensive ($122) but worth it (in my opinion).

[Doug Elliott]

I think I have one just like that, that I got at the Budapest conference from the German guy who makes them. If you're interested I'll try to find it. I've never used it; I don't play tuba!

[scottw]

I think I have one just like that, that I got at the Budapest conference from the German guy who makes them. If you're interested I'll try to find it. I've never used it; I don't play tuba!

Yes, if you find it, I'd like to try it. PM me if you would? Thanks.
Scottw

[Donn]

I have used `climbing rope' for this, on several different tubas. It's woven in a tube and lays flat, very comfortable material, and it's cheap and easy to adjust to fit. It has been a while since I had a tuba with front valves and I don't remember my strap configuration, but probably over the left shoulder. At one point it was a wide rope, with swivel hooks at the end, but lately it's a smaller rope, striped in festive colors, that passes through the loops.

[Dan Schultz]

I have one the expensive Meinl harnesses for long stand-up gigs but for just occasional strolling about, a Wal-Mart rifle sling will work. Cheap fix.

[Dan Schultz]

I have one the expensive Meinl harnesses for long stand-up gigs but for just occasional strolling about, a Wal-Mart rifle sling will work. Cheap fix.

Dan,
Would that sling also work for a euphonium, or would I need a pistol holder??
How would I attach the sling to a euph?
I am starting to find that I need some kind of device...
Thanx...
Jim

For the rifle sling fix, I'm thinking more along the lines of the German tubas that have elongated loops... like the Miraphones. Just a flat leather belt works well with those horns.

There was another harness around called the 'Blue Note Strap'. I haven't seen it in a while but I think it's still out there. It came with a couple of attachment loops that wrapped around anywhere on the horn that you wanted to put them. Then... the strap was attached to the loops.

EDIT: ahah.... here it is! Dillons handles the Blue Note Strap. Cheap, too! It's difficult to tell from the picture but I think this is the same one that comes in three pieces. ... two parts that are attached to the horn with velcro... and a strap. Buy one and let me know how it works!

http://www.dillonmusic.com/HeleoCart/Im ... N-TUBA.jpg

[sc_curtis]

Does anyone have any suggestions for a harness that can be used on a tuba WITHOUT those hook loops?

[lgb&dtuba]

I have one of these Neotech harnesses discusses in a thread some time ago. $49.95 at Musicians Friend.


http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/ ... sku=469800

Seems to work ok for the few times I need it.

[TubaRay]

Does anyone have any suggestions for a harness that can be used on a tuba WITHOUT those hook loops?

The Blue Note strap will work on a tuba without hook loops, or any such thing. It is just as described above. I own and use one myself, regularly.

[lgb&dtuba]

The Neotech will work without loops on the tuba.

I haven't tried it on a euphonium, but I see no reason it wouldn't work since it doesn't require loops on the instrument itself. I have used the Neotech both sitting and standing on my tuba and it works just fine either way.

[Tuba Guy]

On euph, I always used a Neotech neckstrap (standard sax/clarinet), and it worked great...really cheap too

[sc_curtis]

Ok, wow, I see there are some choices.

Out of the Blue Note Strap, Neotech Tuba Harness, and American Music Products Tuba Strap, which one do you suppose is the most durable? How about it fitting a plus-size man? (we are tuba players, right?)

[lgb&dtuba]

Ok, wow, I see there are some choices.

Out of the Blue Note Strap, Neotech Tuba Harness, and American Music Products Tuba Strap, which one do you suppose is the most durable? How about it fitting a plus-size man? (we are tuba players, right?)

Haven't compared them, so cannot address the durability comparison question. The Neotech fits me. It's heavy duty. I'm 5'6" and 225 lbs. It comes in standard and extra long sizes. I bought the extra long figuring it was easier to make it shorter than make it longer. I do find it gives me better support for the tuba than a single strap sling. YMMV. I use it maybe twice a year.