They've changed these several times since the model # change (never for the better - imo). This was the first model whereby the "arc" brace (for the neck receiver) was employed.
The parts for this first generation arc brace are no longer available...heck, they're not even sending me a lower mouthpipe tube, which is still the same part.
Besides complete destruction of this tube (no comments on societal woes in this post, etc.) the typical destruction of the receiver brace piece of thick brass tubing - attached to the arc (brazed to the band around the receiver) was also tactically executed.
With no King lower mouthpipe tube forthcoming, I discovered that I had a brand-new Jupiter lower mouthpipe tube.
They are similar to King, but 1/4" longer and - well - goofy (funny bends 'n' stuff).
After removing the trashed tube, I began to adapt the Jupiter tube to fit King (no bending/no ovaling...just adapting/fitting).
I made a new band to go around the the receiver (.700" fit), laid everything in place, silver-brazed the brass "slip-tube" to the new band, lead-soldered everything else together, and then cleaned it up "pretty good". Once you see the picture of the current condition of the finish of the entire body, maybe you'll agree that my clean-up work (on this gig) was adequate, considering.
Anyway...It's a sousaphone, once again, and the King neck extends out from the instrument at the proper angle (sorta required...)
THEME: Not all of this work is "Check out this cute dinky-wink that I made to be able to tune this pitch 8 cents higher"...most of this stuff is nasty grunt-work.
NOPE: NO "RED-ROT"...JUST STUPID
