3 valve compensating sousaphone

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iiipopes
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Re: 3 valve compensating sousaphone

Post by iiipopes »

catgrowlB wrote: Wed Jul 31, 2024 4:20 pm Back when I was in high school (1990s), we had silver King sousas, all refurbished. Two of them were H.N. White - era originals. We used them for outdoor field (football games, competitions, parades) AND for indoor concert band. They sounded glorious inside the auditorium within the large concert band -- big, warm, clear sound. Pitch and response were great on those, too.

I have a Selmer Signet sousa and Conn 14k sousa, and they are great. But I'd love to add a King or Cleveland sousa :smilie7:
Before I had Lee Stofer put together my 36K, some years ago I had a Signet 'glass souzy for a short while. Even though it sounded good, the biggest drawback was the stock gooseneck strange angle and strange bits. I could never get the angle right to position the mouthpiece for my embouchure. So I looked at the old Allied chart and purchased a Jupiter (all of one thou difference in nominal male diameter) gooseneck and bits. It made the Signet playable, but I was still never completely satisfied.

So I sold the Signet to a gentleman from England who was touring the USA with his small ensemble. Yes, like the "general delivery" of old, we calendared when he would be where on his east coast tour. I sent the souzy "will call" to the bus station ahead of where he was after reasonably calculating travel time. Fortunately, the calculations were correct, and the souzy got there the same day he got there and was able to collect it. He loved it, completed his tour with it, and his booking company helped him get it home.
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basshorn426
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Re: 3 valve compensating sousaphone

Post by basshorn426 »

catgrowlB wrote: Mon Sep 23, 2024 5:14 pm
basshorn426 wrote: Mon Sep 23, 2024 3:48 pm @catgrowlB Hi, did you find the King or Cleveland you were looking for? If not, were you looking to buy or for a trade? I have a fiberglass King sousa but I'm looking for a Conn since I think it'll fit me better
:fingerscrossed:
Hi,

I'm in central North Carolina. I do have an old brass Elkhart-era 14k sousa, complete in its original rough shape case. The lacquer is ugly and I stripped it from the inside of the bell. Otherwise it's in good condition with no major dents. I had to get replacement bell screws, neck and bits, and a 3rd valve. I've had it for quite a while now. It plays great!

I would be OK with a trade if your King fiberglass sousa is in very good condition, preferably with a bag or case.
Let me know and I'll snap pics of the 14k if you are interested :coffee:
Thanks so much for the offer. My heart's true desire is a 20k and after getting some second opinions, I'm gonna stay on the lookout for that, and hopefully I'll find it for a good price on here. Thanks again though
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bloke
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Re: 3 valve compensating sousaphone

Post by bloke »

You just need neck surgery. ...Not on the sousaphone neck, but on your own neck. :smilie8:
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