Cutting Down a Horn

[Himes]

Greetings all,

I play mostly on CC tubas and am interested in the process of cutting down BBbs into CCs. At the moment, I'm just interested in the practice as I don't have any specific horn that I'm interested in cutting down, but hopefully I will someday have the know-how to actually cut a horn down and personally modify it to my own specifications. Repair/customization of horns is something that is just generally appealing to me, so any techs out there who have experience with this process, please share your stories/expertise.

Thanks!

[Dan Schultz]

Basically, all you have to do is figure out where to remove two feet of tubing from the open bugle and cut about 12% out of each tuning circuit. Cutting the tuning circuits is usually not a problem. But getting two feet out of the open bugle without disturbing the taper can be a bit of a challenge.

Two and a half feet ADDED to a Eb tuba will also get you in the neighborhood of a CC tuba.

[The Big Ben]

Sam Gnagey has cut many 1241 and 2341 Kings with good results. He usually changes the bell and stack to a York or Conn Monster Eb. He also often adds a fifth valve. His customers say that they come out great and have a wonderful tone.

I have a 2340 which is the same horn except with three valves. I've looked at the branches and, just the way that the joints between the branches lie, it wouldn't be difficult to get the approx. 2 feet out of the open bugle spread out over three sets of joints. Maybe would need some shims in the ferrules to make them fit tight but looks like it would be doable for the amateur builder.

If you could look at a picture of a 2340/1 you would see what I mean.

Jeff "Not planning on doing it" Benedict

[SplatterTone]

Chinese horns have been cut down a lot around here.

Your sousaphone is so ugly its momma has to hang a pork chop from its neck to get the dog to play it.

[The Big Ben]

Assuming the skills and the tools, you can do $11K worth of work to a $2000 BBb and see what sort of CC you have when you're done...

...or you can get out your c.c. and buy a Thor.

You are so right, Bloke. Unless one of the things you want out of life is to build your own horn. I guess it's kind of like building your own house or car. It's easier and (maybe) cheaper to have it done but....

Jeff "Not planning to but like the idea" Benedict

[Dan Schultz]

You know.... I jokingly say stuff like "all you gotta do is cut out two feet" or "all you gotta do is add two and a half feet". I've successfully created a few 'monsters' but as you all should be quite aware... there is no such thing as a perfect tuba or the perfect design. All the good horns you see on the market today are the result of many years of prototyping and experimenting.... and maybe an 'accidents' here and there. A few folks like Sam Gnagey, Bob Rusk, and Matt Walters have spent loads of time 'fiddling' with combinations and observing the successes of production horns. Even so, nothing is totally tried and true. There is some risk to any change and one must be willing to accept the fact that having to 'start over' is always a possibility.

Super Glue was invented by accident... The military was looking for better materials from which to make aircraft canopies.

[Himes]

Thanks for the posts, all. Basically, my situation is one where I have a beater BBb and prefer to play on CC tubas. I have a nice CC horn (just bought a Thor, actually, Bloke) but like experimentation and enjoy learning a bit more about tuba repair and customization.

I'm already considerably more knowledgeable. Keep 'em coming!

Thanks!

[Dan Schultz]

Thanks for the posts, all. Basically, my situation is one where I have a beater BBb and prefer to play on CC tubas. I have a nice CC horn (just bought a Thor, actually, Bloke) but like experimentation and enjoy learning a bit more about tuba repair and customization.

I'm already considerably more knowledgeable. Keep 'em coming!

Thanks!

There ain't no better way to learn than to 'just do it'. Look that puppy over good and decide where you're going to cut it. If it's a total failure, at least you'll have a valve section and a bell left for your next experiment! It's also nice that you have a 'real' CC there that you can put a tape on to get an idea of what lengths you need to have. Leave things a little long and 'trim to tune'. Once you cut, it's difficult to go back. Have fun!