Bort's 1925 Conn 38k

[bort2.0]

Tuba should be necked and bitted by the end of this week, and I'll finally get to try it out.

And as long as everything checks out and it's ready to go... it'll probably be for sale shortly afterwards.

[bort2.0]

Neck and bits... Check!

Got about a 20 minute play test today.

OMG, this tuba plays GREAT! Easy to play, valves are great, and the sound...! My last reference point for a sousaphone was in 2002, with an almost new 20k. That was a good horn, but thin metal and could get blatty very quickly if you weren't a little careful.

This tuba -- with it's thicker and much heavier metal -- has a gorgeous, big, fat sound.

Only two things to mention -- water key #3 is missing it's cork and the bits are (as I knew all along) of "they exist" quality. <-- This is NOT a complaint, and I'm extremely grateful for the kindness and generosity to secure both the neck and the bits... Just to say, I knew all along that these would be good enough for testing, and with a better (rounder) set, it's going to be even better.

Wonderful Sousaphone!

[bort2.0]

Two lousy photos.

Most cleaning this far was to de-tarnish. Will someone more round of shining and polishing, it should be gleaming!

[humBell]

Thanks for letting us appreciate it vicariously!

[bort2.0]

So I haven't had a chance to REALLY crank on it yet, but gave it a pretty good go -- quite simply, it was just an agreeable and pleasant sound all around. Pushing pretty hard was just "more sound." Playing softly was that kind of very warm and present old American sound. I was pretty surprised at just how much "tuba sound" there was compared to "shut up and listen to me I'm a sousaphone" sound. I guess its more like, it's only edgy if you really want it to be.

Entire register plays easily... upper register is clean and easy and doesn't take "convincing" like I remember some other sousaphones needing. And the low register is very open and just kind of happens. I remember playing a LOT of sousaphones where the low F was awful... Stuffy, backs up on you, or otherwise just not good. Total opposite here.

And now for the part where all my above opinions get completely discredited... ...

I'm about 95% sure that I will be selling it

[bloke]

The bass horns should be felt, and not heard.

yeah...riiiiiighttttt....

[donn]

It's the tuba player's sousaphone, but maybe not the tuba player's employer's sousaphone. Not that so many tuba players have employers, but conceptually speaking, what I mean is, so often the sousaphone sound in popular bands is kind of blatty. The ideal sound is one that comes through loud and clear, but doesn't overpower the trombone or others in that register. A nice full round sound, puts too much energy into drowning out everyone else. It isn't necessarily forced on the player - some can play a big tuba and still lean out their sound - but just saying that sound may not be the asset it seems like, if you consider the sousaphone a "combo" tuba.

[kingrob76]

Has this been sold yet? missed the listing it went so fast...