I need a souzy neck and bits

[SteveDedman]

I have a satin silver Reynolds Contempora with a serial number of 47519. I’m not having any luck locating a year for that.

Currently using a King neck and bits, but the receiver doesn’t get completely tight so I have to hold it with my hand. Makes doing things like turning pages, etc. difficult. I can also feel a slight air leak on my hand. It still sounds good, but would like to eliminate that.

Any ideas on where I can get one, with correct bits if possible?

Or, as an alternative, is there a way to increase the diameter of the neck tube on the King neck to make it sit tight in the Reynolds lead pipe (not using a strip of copy paper wrapped around it!)? Could a thin strip of brass sheet be added to build up the diameter? Probably not more than .030 thickness.

[arpthark]

The sousaphone is from 1957. Good era for Reynolds.

Later Reynolds/Olds sousaphones had a smaller male end on the neck (smaller than King). Here is a chart (yours doesn't seem to be on it):



If you are sure you're using a King neck and it is too small, you'll need something larger than .654". If you have access to calipers and can measure the diameter of the receiver, that may help. Alternatively, you could take it to a shop and have them install a King receiver on the lower mouthpipe.

I understand the appeal of wanting to keep it stock, but those necks can be tricky to find. I'll check my spare necks and see if any of them are a good candidate.

[bloke]

I have a satin silver Reynolds Contempora with a serial number of 47519. I’m not having any luck locating a year for that.

Currently using a King neck and bits, but the receiver doesn’t get completely tight so I have to hold it with my hand. Makes doing things like turning pages, etc. difficult. I can also feel a slight air leak on my hand. It still sounds good, but would like to eliminate that.

Any ideas on where I can get one, with correct bits if possible?

Or, as an alternative, is there a way to increase the diameter of the neck tube on the King neck to make it sit tight in the Reynolds lead pipe (not using a strip of copy paper wrapped around it!)? Could a thin strip of brass sheet be added to build up the diameter? Probably not more than .030 thickness.

I don't know if I have a Reynolds neck and bits, but - if I do - I'll trade you for your King neck and bits if they're (both yours and mine) are in pretty good shape and we each pay our own postage.

... I don't mean shiny, I mean not beat up.

[SteveDedman]

Joe, if you’ll DM me your digits, I’ll text pics. They look to be in decent shape. The bits are new. The neck has a very small ding near the lyre holder.

[bloke]

@SteveDedman

Here's a genuine Olds/Reynolds neck and tuning bits set that I fixed up for you for a possible trade.

The other thing that you see in the picture is a new/old stock Olds/Reynolds neck receiver (not included in the trade) with which I tested this neck.

The neck slides in easily and tightens securely.

[arpthark]

@SteveDedman

Here's a genuine Olds/Reynolds neck and tuning bits set that I fixed up for you for a possible trade.

The other thing that you see in the picture is a new/old stock Olds/Reynolds neck receiver (not included in the trade) with which I tested this neck.

The neck slides in easily and tightens securely.

If OP is reporting that his King neck (.654" OD) is too loose in his vintage '50s Reynolds, will that one fit? i.e., is it .636" OD? I'd just hate for there to be a botched trade.

[bloke]

I was just getting ready to send Steve another note about that.
Of course, he could purchase this Reynolds receiver, but maybe he should post pictures.

[iiipopes]

The sousaphone is from 1957. Good era for Reynolds.

Later Reynolds/Olds sousaphones had a smaller male end on the neck (smaller than King). Here is a chart (yours doesn't seem to be on it):



If you are sure you're using a King neck and it is too small, you'll need something larger than .654". If you have access to calipers and can measure the diameter of the receiver, that may help. Alternatively, you could take it to a shop and have them install a King receiver on the lower mouthpipe.

I understand the appeal of wanting to keep it stock, but those necks can be tricky to find. I'll check my spare necks and see if any of them are a good candidate.

Aw, beat me to it. Being the souzy aficionado I am, I keep this chart on my hard drive. BTW - if you don't like the "fishhook" neck of a Bundy/Selmer Signet, the Jupiter neck and bits fit just fine - only @ .001 diameter difference at the male end of the neck into the receiver, and you don't have to mess with the thumbscrews on the bits.