Posted by Tim Cary on June 15, 2000 at 13:38:56:
On eBay right now there is a Buescher "monster" sousaphone. It appears to have been made in the 20's (all of the "monster" sousas that I have seen seem to be from then), and is in good shape for the most part. It would be worth checking this horn out, even if only to check the pictures of this beast! It is a 3-banger, but the seller has posted pix of the valves and they appear to be good. This horn was listed in May, but the reserve wasn't met, and at that time the bidding was over $1000, so tis might be an expensive buy for an old (but historical) instrument.
BTW...I am not the seller of this horn...just an eBay junkie...