Posted by Art H on December 31, 2003 at 00:13:36:
In Reply to: Re: Re: A Bracing Discussion posted by C(G) on December 29, 2003 at 18:45:02:
I have put together several successful "Frankentubas" over the years, and here is what I have learned about braces: More is better.
When assembling an instrument for the first time I want to try it out to see how it blows and to see if the length of tubing is approximately right. At that stage it is held together with string and duct tape and it shakes and rattles and buzzes like crazy. Then when I get it braced up properly (mostly) it plays much better. After using the horn for a few weeks I usually decide where more braces are needed to stop flexing and metal vibrations, and they make it play even better. Instruments that are poorly braced also have an annoying tendancy to fall apart on gigs.
Summary: Air vibrations = good; metal vibration = bad!
PS..the small-bore conns are a bit stuffy because they are small, not because they are well-built.