Posted by Mark F. on May 28, 2002 at 22:11:05:
In Reply to: Custom Work/ Mods for Tuba posted by Tom B. on May 27, 2002 at 19:47:51:
All of these were done to my piggy, most of them by me personally
1. took off the bow, and resoldered it using much more solder than the factory used, (which was next to none) It made a huge
difference in the way the bell sounds. the sound is much cleaner, and does not break up at loud volumes anymore.
2. Added a bell ring made out of brass rods. Not much sound difference, but it does make the bell stronger.
3. Mouthpiece adapter, keeps the bach MP I play on from falling into the leadpipe.
4. Angled the valves by adding different sized coins to the first two valves, swapped the 3rd and 4th valve spatulas, Did this to
combat carpel tunnel
5. Braced the 4th valve tubing away from the bow, and added a brass rod bent and shaped the full length of the tubing to
protect it against getting beat up.
6. Made a set of heavy valve caps (best thing I ever did). these prototypes became monsterweights.
7. Added a trigger to adjust the 2nd valve slide. Works great! easy and cheap.
8. Made a set of 4th valve extentions that make the 4th valve play a f# by itself, only use these on songs that call for a low D or
C#. (once in a blue moon, but nice to have when you need them)
9. Custom linkage made from hobby shop parts. Could not be happier with how this turned out.
all of these changes are small, but I just like experimenting. I call my horn my "guinea" piggy, and am not afraid to try anything
as long as it is reversible. My horn my be "tricked up", but it plays very nice.
pictures can be found at the link below.