TubaForum.net

Hi guys,
I'm new here, just bought a vintage 1963 Silver King sousaphone I found at a filmprop warehouse in the UK and had it shipped over to me in NL.
It needs a lot of love, and some parts.
I'm hoping anyone here can help me with the following.
As the sousa is old, i'm looking for second hand items:
- Silver neck + 2 bits
- 1 Bell flange and 3 bell screws (silver)
- 3 original silver finger buttons

Thanks & regards,
Jon from the Netherlands Europe

Welcome! If anyone in Europe knows how to get random vintage tuba parts, it's Jake Kline @TheBerlinerTuba.

King sousaphone necks come in "old style" (mouthpiece goes in the short end of the 'L') and "new style" (mouthpiece goes in the long end of the 'L'), so if the receiver is original be sure you are getting the old style.

Thanks Blake.
I for sure need the old style neck.
I also need the braces to connect the valve section to the body, as they are missing.
I cannot add pictures as the max file size is 200kb.. wth

A trashed King neck (with a GOOD/salvageable male connection part) and an OLD-STYLE Jupiter neck (with it's male connector removed and replaced with a King male connector) ends up being a neck that works with an OLD-STYLE King sousaphone...and (rather than the troublesome King bits) probably Conn (or Olds/Reynolds) tuning bits will work with the hybrid Jupiter neck.

So many OLD Jupiter sousaphones are trashed out (in USA) in band rooms that those old-style Jupiter necks are often found in Tupperware boxes in the band directors' offices or storage rooms.

If a band director (here) has BOTH a trashed King neck (either style, but with a GOOD male connector) and a useless-to-them OLD STYLE Jupiter neck, they could sell you those two things, and anyone with soldering skills could make up a compatible-with-old-style-King-sousaphone neck...

...and (again)...Conn bits would likely fit into the Jupiter (which has a tension screw) bits receiver.

This is what an OLD-STYLE Jupiter neck looks like.
Again, it would not fit a King, and a salvaged KING male connector would need to be transplanted to it (replacing the part that is circled, in the picture).


emphasis:
Genuine KING sousaphone bits (if never damaged) CAN be made air-tight, but (even if only slightly damaged) they often leak.

also...
The "generic" 8-32 thread finger buttons (sold by Allied Supply TO REPAIR SHOPS) work perfectly with old King instruments, and even feature a (ok...fake) pearl insert.

also...If you just can't get King bell screws...These should do in a pitch (pkg. of 5)...


https://www.mcmaster.com/91185A519/

I view most eBay pricing as confiscatory...but that's just me.