Posted by Gary Swart on November 08, 2003 at 22:36:22:
In Reply to: Re: Care of a new tuba posted by Christian on November 08, 2003 at 11:02:07:
Amen to the hard case and big wheels! I went through the gig bag scene with my two previous tubas and never again. You soon learn why gig bags are called a repairman's best friend. Sorry I can't put a photo on, but here's what I did with my case and why. I have 10" wheels on my HB case (no, I don't have a HB, it's a St. Pete, but it fits the case like a glove) I had a welder friend make a couple of mounts that I could bolt through the case and were at the proper angle for tracking. I used wheels that have a 1/2" axle hole and so a 1/2" bolt works fine. I drilled the end of the bolt and used castle nuts and a cotter pin so they stay on and don't have to be really tight. Every case has a different shape, so you have to figure out how to make a mount that fits. Now why 10" wheels? Stairs and curbs mostly. It's slow going, but I can ease my case up and down stair steps without having to carry it. You do it one step at a time, holding it back when descending so it doesn't go bump, bump, bump. It's a bit awkward opening it, but that's a small price to pay for the mobility. Also, a strong second to other comments regarding cleaning, food, lube, etc. I have found Flitz polish to work quite well, but there are probably other good choices, too. And, yeah, it will get a ding or two over time. These are big horns and we sometimes move in tight places among people who aren't as careful as we would like them to be.