Tuba straps, Helicons, Strolling, Oh My!

[Doc]

I'm searching for my tuba strap. It's been so long since I needed it, I don't remember what kind it is. I have some strolling to do in September. I hate to have to buy a new one, and I don't know anyone nearby with a helicon or sousaphone to rent/borrow. If strolling stuff became a more regular thing, and if my Oktoberfest/German show band were more regular, I'd buy a helicon (not THIS year - fewer gigs and I busted my tuba budget).

So unless anyone has something I could borrow, and if I can't find my strap, what are the TFFJ opinions/recommendations on a new tuba straps? I'll be using F tuba with no strap hook (and I ain't adding one).

Neotech looks promising. Being tall and round, I might need the long/tall version? What else is out there today?

Thanks!

[matt g]

I have one of the old Blue Note straps. I still (25 years later) think it’s one of the better setups that’s been made and it’s dead simple. I wonder if someone like greenbean could be persuaded into making one?

[hrender]

I have what I think is a nice leather Meinl-Weston strap. I don't remember where I got it (it was probably 10-15 yrs ago), but it looks nice and is reasonably comfortable. I did put some brass snap clips on it since it normally attaches to a horn via smaller straps with slide buckles. The straps don't scratch the horn, but they require lifting the horn over my head to get it on or off. I found this awkward in spaces with 8' ceilings. The clips make it easier.

[LeMark]

The neotech comes with loops that you can secure around bows and tubes so you don't need eyelets, but I don't think they secure the horn as well as using the eyelets.

without eyelets, it's hard to imagine many things working other than the neo. They are very comfortable, as far as sizing goes, there are measurement instructions on the webpage so you know which one to get.

[Three Valves]

Don’t think you need large because you are large. It’s about what fits you with the tuba.