Tubas, euphoniums, mouthpieces, and anything music-related.
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I recently started keeping my 2145 next to my desk in my office. It's a friendly reminder that if I get some time, I should play/practice a bit. My music room is on the second floor of my house. Having a tuba on the main level means it's handy. Also leaving a music stand with etudes and a tuba rest sitting in a convenient spot mean no excuses. This tuba has been a LOT of fun to play.
Here's my question, where I've placed my tuba, next to my desk, the bell is 60% on the vinyl flooring and 40% on the area rug. I have the tuba leaning against a side table for support. Is the uneven surface on the bell end a concern for warping or bell damage? Is this a ridiculous concern?
Edit: Added picture for context
Last edited by tubatodd on Tue Aug 25, 2026 8:53 am, edited 1 time in total.
Todd Morgan
Rudy Meinl 4/4 CC
Besson 995
Meinl Weston 2145
Mr. P 5.0
I highly doubt the bell would deform under those circumstances. You’re more likely to accidentally knock it over. Were it mine, I’d either move it, the rug, or both. Still lean it against a wall, though.
These users thanked the author Sousaswag for the post:
It takes a good bit of force to bend a bell rim or crease a bell.
Quite often - though - there IS a good bit of force exerted against bells (banging rims head on into door frames - whether directly or through carrying bags, and all sorts of events such as those).
Most of the tubas that arrive here have been subject to a good bit of force. LOL
"Setting" a tuba down on its rim is never going to warp the rim or crease the bell (not even those wide King or Eastman bells, which are notorious for ending up with circular creases which trace the rim roughly two inches in from the rim).
It's going to have to be dropped slammed against the floor (or door frame, or whatever), or it's going to have to fall over.
The claim that the sheer weight of a tuba itself is going to warp a rim or crease the bell is a fallacy. The only time that could happen would be if someone buffed a previously badly and repeatedly creased bell (repaired over and over) way too thin, and someone didn't set this tuba on the floor gingerly enough in consideration of this fragility.
If additionally concerned, how much would it mess up the decor of the room to move the rug over ten inches?
Quite a few people - who remove bell creases - don't straighten the rims first, and this tubas rock (when set on their bells) - due to having only partially repaired bells which feature rims which are not planar.
These users thanked the author bloke for the post (total 2):
tubatodd (Tue Aug 25, 2026 8:21 am) • gocsick (Tue Aug 25, 2026 8:43 am)
bloke wrote: Tue Aug 25, 2026 8:04 am
It takes a good bit of force to bend a bell rim or crease a bell.
Quite often - though - there IS a good bit of force exerted against bells (banging rims head on into door frames - whether directly or through carrying bags, and all sorts of events such as those).
Most of the tubas that arrive here have been subject to a good bit of force. LOL
"Setting" a tuba down on its rim is never going to warp the rim or crease the bell (not even those wide King or Eastman bells, which are notorious for ending up with circular creases which trace the rim roughly two inches in from the rim).
It's going to have to be dropped slammed against the floor (or door frame, or whatever), or it's going to have to fall over.
The claim that the sheer weight of a tuba itself is going to warp a rim or crease the bell is a fallacy. The only time that could happen would be if someone buffed a previously badly and repeatedly creased bell (repaired over and over) way too thin, and someone didn't set this tuba on the floor gingerly enough in consideration of this fragility.
Thank you for the clarity. I had a feeling my concern was unfounded, but I figured I'd ask.
bloke wrote: Tue Aug 25, 2026 8:04 am
If additionally concerned, how much would it mess up the decor of the room to move the rug over ten inches?
Fair question. It's a rather large area rug and where it lays right now is properly centered where it needs to be. I think from the feedback in this topic I can feel comfortable how I have it stored.
Todd Morgan
Rudy Meinl 4/4 CC
Besson 995
Meinl Weston 2145
Mr. P 5.0
Oh, Please! Never stand a tuba on its bell. It WILL get knocked over. It's just not worth it. Not just bell damage, but think about how many Besson BBb tubas that have a flat spot on the off side of the bottom bow. Those are from tipping over. It WILL happen eventually to every tuba stood on its bell. If there is not enough space to keep the case open to set it down when not being played, please get a tuba stand.
iiipopes wrote: Tue Aug 25, 2026 10:19 am
Oh, Please! Never stand a tuba on its bell. It WILL get knocked over. It's just not worth it. Not just bell damage, but think about how many Besson BBb tubas that have a flat spot on the off side of the bottom bow. Those are from tipping over. It WILL happen eventually to every tuba stood on its bell. If there is not enough space to keep the case open to set it down when not being played, please get a tuba stand.
I guess I'll take my chances.
True Story:
In 1995/1996 I was at an honor band thing at some high school. I left my Cerveny 681 on one of the stairs (they were fairly deep) in the audience. I left it in a VERY vulnerable position. I walked away and was chatting with a friend on the opposite side of the auditorium.
I was looked across at my tuba and watched some random person walk by and brush up against the tuba. The horn started tipping, the person was beyond the tuba but somehow he instinctively knew what he did. I watched him catch the tuba blindly by reaching his hand behind him. Amazing save.
No damage except...
Todd Morgan
Rudy Meinl 4/4 CC
Besson 995
Meinl Weston 2145
Mr. P 5.0
Was the dolly Parton funko pop purposely in the picture just behind your tuba. Or a strange coincidence? Also noted that you removed the irritating slide stop on the 5th valve slide. That thing made no sense to me on that slide.
Meinl Weston 2145 CC
King Symphonic BBb circa 1936ish
Pre H.N.White, Cleveland Eb 1924ish (project)
Conn Sousaphone, fiberglass 1960s? (Project)
Olds Baritone 1960s?
Hoping to find a dirt cheap Flugabone
Grumpikins wrote: Tue Aug 25, 2026 5:15 pm
Was the dolly Parton funko pop purposely in the picture just behind your tuba. Or a strange coincidence? Also noted that you removed the irritating slide stop on the 5th valve slide. That thing made no sense to me on that slide.
DUDE!!! When I posted the picture I wondered if anyone would notice or say anything about the Funkos. The fact that Dolly was one of them was a cosmic coincidence.
Todd Morgan
Rudy Meinl 4/4 CC
Besson 995
Meinl Weston 2145
Mr. P 5.0
