Put it in a Walt Johnson case, and bury it in a reinforced concrete vault, 30 feet deep.
Or, if you insist on actually playing it, do the best you can to take care of it (sounds like you're doing the right stuff), and accept the reality that sooner or later you will get a dent in it. Of course, you don't mention your case, but I assume, given your hope to avoid dents, that you NEVER carry it in a bag.
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Joe Baker, who apologizes for the wise-guy post, but knows that sometimes it's the best way to make a point.
My Yamaha 641 is serial 114 made about 1989. There are about three pings and no dents in it so far and it does get played some nearly every day. Keeping the horn in the hard case when I am not playing it and being observant of things around me is the only thing I have really done with my horns. It does help to have fat thighs to cushion/protect the bottom bow when I am not using a tuba stand while playing though.
I do not go fanatic as they are just equipment to be used and should be treated as such without worrying about a dent or so. That said, I think we all can see trouble coming be it in the form of staying out of the path of those who tend not to watch where they stumble or just observing where those door knobs, banister rails and music stands are and not letting them jump out at us. Being big and slow moving helps me that way too.
Paul Sidey, who has pride in keeping a horn looking new but realizes that it is still just a tool and the sound is the key thing. (yes I oil and clean my hammers, wrenches and powerwash my tractors and combine too, lol)
Last edited by Paul S on Wed Mar 16, 2005 2:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Paul Sidey, CCM '84
Principal Tubist, Grand Lake Symphony
B&S PT-606 CC - Yamaha YFB-621 F SSH Mouthpieceshttp://sshmouthpieces.com/" target="_blank
There are ZERO dents and dings in my F tuba from 1998. The instrument was used by a pro in a major symphony orchestra from 1998 until the spring of 2004 when it was sold to me. I've owned it for about a year now and it still has no dents or dings. The previous owner and I both transported the tuba in a Dolly Bag and had it locked up in lockers or at home when not in use. So...what gives? We're careful!
I am always aware of my surroundings when I have a tuba in my hands or on my back in a bag. I move slowly, don't smash into things, and go out of my way to avoid crowds and/or places that I don't consider "tuba friendly."
And yes...I've said it a couple times already...I use a gig bag. I have NEVER had a gig bag "cause" a dent. The bottom bows on both of my tubas are perfect...the bells aren't crinkled, etc., etc. What's the secret to my success? I'm careful!
The best solution is to play the tuba and enjoy it and care for it as you see fit. I simply suggest that being aware of your surroundings at all times is key.
I play a ten or eleven-year-old tuba, but I often show it as an example of a very well cared-for instrument. I tell my students that brass instruments should last for 100 years, and that one which is taken care of as well as mine would be just fine in 100 years if always given the same care.
A music store owner told me the other day that it looked like new. I can't say that it doesn't have any dents in it. There are tiny dents that look more like flat spots upon very close inspection here and there, some very light finish scratches and there are some nicks on the rim of the bell, but it really does look like new from a few feet away.
I take my tuba out of the case before I attach the mouthpiece, or at least get a good grip on the mouthpiece before putting it on the tuba. I also try not to let other people move my tuba without making sure it is well-secured in the hard case. When it was new, I would even lock the case. My last tuba had a dent in it and a crease on the bell. The dent was from dropping my mouthpiece on the tuba, and the crease was from when someone else was moving my tuba in the case and dropped it out of a truck.
I try to never sit next to a tubist with upright valves, or at least not too close. Actually, I try not to sit too close to anyone else. I foresee "accidents" and sometimes discretely shield the horn (with my hands or body) from other players who are carrying stands, instruments and music close to my tuba. I am always very careful not to drop it and when going through doorways.
When I'm not playing the horn (even when putting it down) I try to put it in its hard case and latch one of the latches. I've seen people try to move open cases with instruments in them by their handles and dump the instruments.
When my tuba was new, I would use a very soft cloth to hold my tuba and to keep scratches off. I just use my tuba too much to avoid it, however, and soon put the cloth away. I've been realizing that the only places where the horn doesn't look perfect to others is where it has rubbed against buttons or belts, and by the time it bothers me, I'll be able to get the cellulose gunk stripped off and have it silver plated, so I don't worry about it so much anymore.
It is kind of funny, when I think about the popularity and how easy it would be to replace a BBb Mirafone 186. I just really like the horn.
Seeing some of the work that people are doing now I don't worry so much about the finish or dents. Eventually, I know that a semi-truck will back over my horn, or some other unfortunate event will damage it, but I will be able to have it fixed or replace it.
I can feel your anticipated pain. This is one of the reasons why I don't buy new brass instruments OR new cars. That first dent hurts way too much.
However....I agree with the "put it in the Johnson case and bury it 30 feet underground" philosophy. Also the "don't leave it around where anyone with only half a mind can hurt it" and the "protect it with your body" philosophies too. It is WAY harder in high school to protect an instrument. As you start to hang out with older and older people, it gets better until they get so old that they are stumbling, which does happen in amatuer bands.
I have a 15 year Willson 2900 and apart from very slight damage before I got (used), I have managed to keep it pristine.
Now I have a brand new one in lacquer, I intend keeping that the same, but it's not you (or us) that is the danger. Allready mentioned above is the fact that you have to educate the people around you, they are the ones that are going to do the damage.
I have had 3 near misses so far, 2 by oboe players (one throwing his rucksack almost down on top if the euph) and 1 by a sax player!
About setting tuba down on bell.... I try to avoid doing that ... can lead to scratches whether it's on concrete, dirty wood, carpet or grass. But there are times when there is no space to do anything else.
I went to an automotive supply store and bought a steering wheel cover for my YBB641 that protects the edge nicely when I have to set it down that way. I take it off for concerts, otherwise it's on all the time.
There were three of us in band , so I got covers in red, silver and blue.... Folks thought it was pretty neat...
On my tubas and sousas, I split 1/4" ice maker tubing lengthwise and put it over the bell rim. It's just enough mass to eliminate any bell-ringing and all the bell scratches. It's gotta look a lot better that the steering wheel cover mentioned in an earlier post. You can make a jig to split the tubing easily by drilling a hole through a piece of wood slightly larger than the diameter of the tubing and sinking a single-edged razor blade so it slits the tubing on one side as it is drawn through the hole.
Dan Schultz
"The Village Tinker" http://www.thevillagetinker.com" target="_blank
Current 'stable'... Rudolf Meinl 5/4, Marzan (by Willson) euph, King 2341, Alphorn, and other strange stuff.
I'm another one who's got split vinyl tubing around the bell rim. It's not perfect, since it collects dirt and scratches the silver, but it's easier on my nerves.
Even so, small dents & dings don't concern me. I'll even go along with the story of a well-respected pro & teacher who said to just take the mouthpiece and give a brand-new horn a whack (preferably on the player's side of the bell) so that you wouldn't baby it so much and just start playing the thing.
SHS Tubamaster wrote:most of the damage is a result of having dents removed.
Huh! Perhaps you are using the wrong repairman
Dan Schultz
"The Village Tinker" http://www.thevillagetinker.com" target="_blank
Current 'stable'... Rudolf Meinl 5/4, Marzan (by Willson) euph, King 2341, Alphorn, and other strange stuff.
I´ve been playing in beerfest-tent environments for ages and even brought my horn to skiing to be played around seriously intoxicated people. So far it hasn´t suffered a great deal, although it looks far from new by now. I keep it in a bag, but there´s one thing that I do:
I NEVER EVER let anybody else but me handle my horn. Enough space granted, it´ll sit next to me on the bus. If that can´t be done, I put it in the luggage compartment myself. Whenever possible, I stay with my horn. If that´s not possible, I take the trouble to find a quiet place to set it down, even if it takes some work to get there.
Hans
Hans
Melton 46 S
1903 or earlier GLIER Helicon, customized Hermuth MP
2009 WILLSON 6400 RZ5, customized GEWA 52 + Wessex "Chief"
MW HoJo 2011 FA, Wessex "Chief"
Of course, you don't mention your case, but I assume, given your hope to avoid dents, that you NEVER carry it in a bag. 
Folks thought it was pretty neat...
Perhaps you are using the wrong repairman 
