This - truth be told - is my ideal sousaphone, but I think I'm going to hold out for a King fiberglass, from back when they were actually made of fiberglass. It won't sound as good, but the intonation will still be the excellent King intonation, and I won't have to get my left shoulder muscle in condition every time I'm suddenly called to play it. I used it to play The Star-Spangled Banner in a symphony orchestra opening concert this year, and the intonation was every bit as good as my Miraphone 98 would have been - even though it only has three valves. There's just something about King sousaphones and their remarkably good intonation...
Obviously, both the body and bell are H.N. White era.
The lower mouthpipe and neck are the original setup, so I used Jupiter sousaphone bracing on the neck receiver, as it is the same style as original King bracing. I also took pains to put the Jupiter bracing system on there very neatly and symmetrically.
I'd appreciate it if only those who are thinking of buying a sousaphone would respond to the poll, but I guess I'll put at least one dumb answer - for people who like to participate in polls in which they are not interested.
If I get at least one or a few positive responses to the poll, I'll get it raised up to even better condition that it's in now, and stick up some pictures. I've got to get through a few more customer things, but - if there are some positive anonymous responses - I'll go to this instrument next after those things.
