Anybody using tuba straps?

[tbn.al]

I tried one but it didn't fix the bad Eb. In fact the whole horn was less reponsive afterward. I also got a warnings from PETA, ASPCA and ACLU.

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[Bill Troiano]

I've been using a bass guitar strap with my 621CC. As someone here (sorry I don't remember who) posted, it's the width of the strap displacing the weight and not the pad thickness that contributes to the overall comfort. I found that to be true, at least on a light weight tuba like the 621CC. Having several trad. jazz type of gigs coming up where we'll have a drummer and piano, I don't think the 621CC will cut it, so I would like to use my fairly new (newly purchased) Sam Gnagey tuba. This tuba is probably a little heavier than a 56J. I while ago, I was intrigued by the strap set up of Jon Sass. He used a thick leather belt around the waist, sitting on the hips, which had a U-shaped cup to hold the bottom bow. There's no weight on the shoulders with this set up. I contacted Jon and he gave me the web site of the maker of this belt in Germany. The cost turned me off to this idea, as it would have cost a few hundred for the set up through them. Has anybody tried this belt or a similar setup with a waist belt? It seems like a good idea, and I'll have to come up with something soon.

[chipster55]

I've been using a padded camping strap with plastic clamps on the ends. I connect them to a sousaphone shoulder strap I secure to the bow of my horn (3/4 Amati), then sling it over my shoulder like a guitar strap. The only time I use it is when I'm standing. It works OK, but I just got a MW strap that I havent tried yet.

[TubaSailor]

I use a Blue Note strap with my Rudy - It needs to have the bottom bow about 3" below the level of the chair I'm sitting in for me to play, and it's really awkward to hold a horn that size in that position. Besides, I do occassionally use those slides, and the strap lets me free-up the left hand without worry of the horn slipping . I also find it allows better technique on the valves because the right hand doesn't have to do anything to support the horn. Any truth to the rumor that Blue Note is out of business?

[pjv]

I highly recommend something which I know not its name, who makes it, or were you can but it. I believe its British.

Its like a pouch with straps (which go over both shoulders) made of hardened leather. The bottom bow of the tuba go into the pouch. The advantage is that it feels a lot more like it does when you sit.

Straps tend to strap you in. Most often with straps there's ONE playing position. You can't really move the tuba around too much without loosing contact with the mpc.

With "the sack" you have much more freedom of movement. I tend to rock my tuba a bit forward for higher notes and backwards for lower notes, so the bag works great for me.

Other advantages is that it requires no strap rings on your horn (most CC horns don't even have this) so you can use it on every tuba. As well, you can set the tuba down at will. Handy for a short rest and very handy when one needs to quickly turn the tuba around in circles to further empty the water keys. With straps you either have to unhook yourself, or worm out of your horn.

Still, I prefer an old professionally made sousaphone. They were made to stand in.

Good luck, Patrick

[Tubadork]

Hey,
I use the blue note and I like it OK.

I have a neotech, but I can't figure it out for the life of me. Can someone post a pic?

thanks,
Bill

[Tubadork]

I want to get one good try on it before I would sell it. I can't seem to figure out how to set it up.

Bill