Posted by Tubaman with a Plan on June 12, 2001 at 17:07:12:
Well,
I was board today and thought I would do something inventive. I saw the post recently from Mark F.about his "guinea piggy" and thought I would make my own "Heavy Rotary Valve Caps."
I have a vintage Cerveny and it already has a wonderful sound. But after I spent 4 hours putting soldering 3 heavy steel washers on each valve cap, I was amazed. I painted the modified with brass colored paint.
I thought my sound was centered before. But let me tell you, everytime I played a note it had a definite increase in projection and presence.
I just got more of the actual note as opposed to harmonics. The horn already plays dark and large but with this enhancement, I get excellent projection.
In my professional opinion, I feel that any enhancement in tuba design that can give you an advantage in sound quality or response should not be dismissed or overlooked. After all, it is the sound that matters.
Finally, in my view it is the player that makes the horn "sing". But, if you are playing on a "Pinto" tuba brand as opposed to a "BMW" brand, every little shortcut can help.
Tubaman with a Plan
This idea was originally posted by Mark F.
http://www.chisham.com/tips/bbs/apr2001/messages/53805.html