I was filthy and exhausted last night from gardening...but it was cool out in the shop and in the buffing room...so I went ahead and rouged (final polished) the tuba body. Today, Mrs. bloke will clean off rouge dust and stray "poop" (readying it for shooting it with clear) while I'm buffing the slides, paddles, etc. again: Even though dents removed and re-lacquered, this is a "good" job, and not an "amazing" job. The valves and slides are "amazing", the rest of it is "straightened out very well". The back of the bottom bow is COVERED with (shiny) scratches (this has never before been refini ..read more

I tend to listen when Boo-Boo speaks. Statistics: Posted by bloke — Wed May 01, 2024 2:16 pm ..read more

Sometimes boo boos are the best way to learn. Statistics: Posted by Dents Be Gone! — Wed May 01, 2024 10:49 am ..read more

I visit my repairman with my projects and he helps me, lets me use his equipment, gives pointers, etc. I have made my fair share of crease mark booboos! Statistics: Posted by arpthark — Wed May 01, 2024 10:41 am ..read more

Votaw used to make a “BAR*.” It was called “The Torpedo” if I remember correctly. It had delrin fittings on each end to help prevent slide off boo-boos. Meant for tuba and sousaphone bells, It was huge. (I had one and someone begged to buy it, so off it went.) Allied has/had a standard sized ones with a rounded end, but the shaft has too much give and can be bent too easily, at least the few of them I’ve used could. Maybe they’re different now. The Ferree’s rollers are probably the most common and come in 3 sizes now. Their new “BAR” has a rounded end, too, which is nice. They’re sturdy and la ..read more

One of my section mates brings his own folding chair to which he has added an extension piece at the front. Another option is a full width paddle shaped flat board which is placed on the chair, one’s backside sits on the wide section and the tuba rests on the narrower section which extends beyond the front of the chair. Statistics: Posted by 2nd tenor — Wed May 01, 2024 8:41 am ..read more

Definitely my CC Meinl-Weston (Getzen) Model 30. Very nice-playing horn. In the mid 1980s when I was a high school band director, I thought I'd never play seriously again, and children and house payments became a thing, so the money was helpful. But we would have made it had I not sold it. Been kicking myself ever since. Statistics: Posted by Jperry1466 — Wed May 01, 2024 5:38 am ..read more

Yeah.. I wasn't encouraging you to follow my outlined possible repair techniques yourself , but suggesting that as a method that usually works for me - as a somewhat experienced repair monkey. I believe I would send it to someone who has a particularly good reputation working with/specializing in rotors. If you sent it to me, I would sigh first, look back and forth between you and the instrument, but I would fix it and I'd probably be successful...but there are some people who spend most of their time working on rotors. They tend to specialize in French horn rotors (as would be expected), bu ..read more

Sorry, double post. SiteLock acting up. Please remove this one Statistics: Posted by GC — Wed May 01, 2024 2:11 am ..read more

For me the solution has been a cheap drum throne as a tuba stand. It'll work with any chair that's provided, though I occasionally have to adjust the height, and it's convenient to carry around. Statistics: Posted by GC — Wed May 01, 2024 2:09 am ..read more