Hercules DS552B Acquired: I kinda like it.

[anadmai]

My wonderful mother in law gave it to me for my birthday.

It’s heftier than I thought. Yes, it takes up space, and in my band room space is already severely limited….but it works. I can sit and reach over to pick up the horn off its stand.

Is it portable?

The correct answer is…anything is portable if you’re willing to lug it around.

I don’t plan on lugging it around.

[bloke]

Looking forward to when you upgrade to the C-130J Super Hercules.

[Mary Ann]

That looks like it would be even harder to heft a tuba onto your lap than having it sitting on the bell next to you.
I truly don't get why it is better somehow. You have to lift it off the stand, which I guess is off to the side? Which requires a whole lot more strength than just rolling it over your thigh onto your lap.
So why is it good?

[anadmai]

I just don’t like the concept of it resting on the bell. I want it out of the case. (In the case? Not on your face.) I built the space to make sure nothing falls off a shelf or off the wall to crash into a horn. My euph and bari are safe on the countertop (each in their own stand). Nothing is foolproof and accidents will happen. At rehearsals in a crowded room, the horn doesn’t leave my hand unless it’s back in the case.

It’s a big bell. I don’t mind lifting him off the ground. I kinda figured out how much oomph I need to pick him up. It doesn’t take any longer either way. This will take time to adjust too. I’ve been adjusting to all sorts of new things lately.

I’m trying. Here’s a recent recording of something from Arbans. Still adjusting the new mouthpiece. Still adjusting to the horn.

https://share.icloud.com/photos/087TrL ... auo9m2RRfg

[rodgeman]

I love mine. It sets with my tuba in a corner.

[bloke]

I have one for tuba and one for sousaphone, one that I got with a tuba that I bought to sell, and the sousaphone I bought so I could display a sousaphone at a show one time. I don't remember selling them, but I don't know where I put them. I would sort of like for them to disappear. They're both in new condition. I wonder if I sold them and forgot.

[anadmai]

It works really well and as much as it takes up space, I think I can manage.