Posted by Bonker on October 12, 2002 at 00:09:44:
In Reply to: Sheet Metal posted by De on October 11, 2002 at 20:51:00:
The best tubas are still made by the "disappearing wax" method - the same way large church bells are made.
A tuba "mold" is made of wax, buried in sand, and then molten bronze (or brass) is poured in. The wax immediately vaporizes (from the extreme heat) and disappears, leaving the newly formed tuba in the sand.
When it is cool enough to remove, the new "solid tuba" is removed from the sand and filed, sanded, and finally polished to a high-lustre finish. Finally, tiny dwarves with Dremel moto-tools precisely hollow out the entire tuba so that it is playable. In the past, several Dwarves would be lost each year - often, it is theorized - trying to find their way back from the fourth bow. Today however, with radio and infrared technology (plus the Union [I.B.T.D.] and U.N. resolution protection), this profession has become absolutely safe.
Sheet metal?...' only "cheapo" tubas are made that way, and yeah, the 191 absolutely ROCKS....Wooooooooo00000000OOOOOO !!!!!!!!!!!!