Tuba weights

[GC]

I've noticed on several manufacturers' web sites that almost everyone puts bell diameter, bore size and the like on their pages, but many companies don't list the weight of their horns. For a really big horn, this can be meaningful. Can you schlepp it around and hold it with your legs? Do you need to buy a stand? Or a truss? Or hire a roadie?

It just seems to me to be a piece of vital information that shouldn't be left out.

[Rebel]

I agree. I know my Yamaha with the case is around 65 pounds. This is the heaviest horn I have ever owned, but I don't see a way to make a full sized compensating model much lighter, except for making it from plastic.

[Donn]

At 33 lbs, lately my tuba is heavier than my accordion!

[bort]

Are you looking to get ripped or "swole"? You may want to get something cheaper, like dumbbells or children.

I can assure you, my child has been far more expensive than any tuba I've ever owned.

I'm guessing manufacturers don't list this because it's really just not that important for most horns. Knowing whether it's a 17" bell or a 19" bell is big difference. Knowing if it weighs 17 pounds or 19 pounds... would that make you change your mind?

I do agree though, it's nice to know. Willson *does* report the weights of their horns, and I think that Cerveny does as well. Those are probably the high and low ends of the spectrum, so anything else is just in-between.

They might also not list it because it might be a negative, and they don't want to introduce a factor with which to be concerned.

[Guest User]

I thought this was going to be about something like wheel weights, like for balance or something. <g>

[Beavis]

I guess I could see workin' out with tubas, but this dude needed some spotters..heh-heh...heh...heh-heh...heh-heh-heh...

spotters.jpg

[nobody]

The day I need to be concerned about how much my tuba weighs is probably the day I need to quit playing tuba.

[Dustytuba]

I have been looking to purchase a new Eb, and found it difficult to get the manufactures to provide the weight of the Tuba, and the weight of the tuba in the case or gig bag. Also a big factor I have learned, it is not just the dead weight but also which way to Tuba leans. If It leans to the Left, you have less weight on the right finger hand, less weight less fatigue, more speed with the fingers that are pushing the valves.

[GC]

The weight of an instrument can definitely be a major issue. The best instrument I ever owned was a Conn 25J, but the sheer weight of the beast gave me problems, especially having to go up and down stairs with it several days a week. I switched to Eb partly for my health.

There are some other things that can be indicated by weight. One particular company is known for using very thick brass on their instrument, and even the smaller ones weigh a lot. An unusually light instrument for its size can indicate very thin brass.

As one gets older, weight can be a definite concern in horn choices. I find it irritating that a lot of web sites don't have it listed.