S.B.I. (Sousaphone Buffing Institute) opening for 2010

[bisontuba]

HI-
I'm waiting for the advanced degree in Helicon buffing techniques...heck, even at $35,000 per semester, that's only a YamaYork....
mark

[Ken Herrick]

Hey, Bloke,
Would the advanced degree be suicide horns???

By the time one completes the Sousaphone Buffing Degree they would either be ready to compete in Mr Universe or due to retire with a busted back. For those who passed and wanted to go on, Suicide Horn Glistening would be the logical next step as they require a bit more finesse with less brute strength.

I remember the head polisher at Shilke telling me about getting a french horn (suicide) caught on a 15in wheel - it made a mess of his middle regions. Anybody who has never done buffing work on a big, high speed polishing lathe doesn't know what hard work it is. If they ever tried it they might appreciate why it takes time and costs $$$$ to get that mirror finish which "makes" a bright silver or lacquer finish. (Dan Oberloh made mention of this regarding the Holton 345 he has been restoring and I can certainly empathise with him on that!!!)

As you pointed out - nickel plating requires far less fine polishing -much as is the case with "frosted" silver. One could not blame Sam Gnagey for not "prettying up" his creations!

A lot of "metal poishing" tradesmen would never make it in the music instrument game as it is taking a manual trade to a near art form. Many years ago I got fired from a metal polishing shop after day one as I had not produced the quantity of work they wanted though the boss admitted they were the most beautiful garden taps he had ever seen and would have loved the work if they were going to be gold plated. Even then, with a layer of nickel before the gold they would not have needed to look like gold.

Oh, one question -do students supply their own materials or have you got plenty of practice instruments for them to learn on?

[Eric B]

Sounds like a Tom Sawyer whitewashin' scheme to me.

[Eric B]

Sounds like a Tom Sawyer whitewashin' scheme to me!

[Rev Rob]

Do you offer any work study - bale hay, chop wood, do dishes?

[Bob Kolada]

Boo-friggin-hoo.....

[tubaguy9]

hahaha...I like the abbreviation for Bloke Selmansberger-Polishing University...

[jamsav]

Does the on-campus book store sell BSPU T- shirts ? I'd wear that one !!