Re: Re: A few basic Sousaphone Questions. . .


[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ TubeNet BBS ] [ FAQ ]

Posted by K on March 20, 2004 at 01:38:28:

In Reply to: Re: A few basic Sousaphone Questions. . . posted by George in NC on March 19, 2004 at 18:34:45:

You have not been very precise about the identification of your sousaphone: Conn 14K and a stencil of the same.

And then Conn didn't make it easier by allocating the 14K name to 2 different models, both of them now discontinued.

The older version with a 0.734" bore can be seen documented here:

Conn background brasses (baritones, tubas, sousaphones). Pages from a circa 1968 catalogue. (907KB): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/YorkMasterPublicPhotosVII/files/ConnBackground.pdf

Thumbnails:
http://photos.groups.yahoo.com/group/YorkMasterPublicPhotosIII/lst?.dir=/Conn+background+brass+from+a+1968+cat


The newer one with a 0.687" bore can be seen documented here:

Conn low brass from a circa 1985 catalogue. (2346KB)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/YorkMasterPublicPhotosVI/files/ConnLowBrass1985.pdf


I don't know of that many 0.734" bore sousaphones being made today. There certainly is the Conn 20K, but it has oval entry and exit ports in its pistons, so a 20K lower leadpipe hardly will be a good replacement part for your sousaphone, even if it is of the older variant.

If your 14K is of the newer variant, you may be in better luck, as King still makes a 0.687" bore sousaphone, the 2350, which can be seen documented via the link below here.

But I cannot avoid airing a doubt, whether your sousaphone is worth any investments in spare parts. The amount of corrosion deposits sitting on the present lower leadpipe for me is a sign, that this instrument has been stored in a less than optimal environment. Other parts of the instrument may also be badly corroded. And then costs will run high.

As your instrument hardly is one of a special historical interest, you may be better off in the long run, if you buy a decent second hand sousaphone.

Klaus

Free music files in .pdf format:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/YorkMasterBBb/
(Approved membership required)

Index over brass instruments gallery and catalogue scans:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/YorkMasterPublicPhotosIII/files/
(Membership is open for all)



Follow Ups: