Posted by Paul Scott on September 04, 2001 at 15:37:23:
In Reply to: Re: Re: Largest Recording Bass? posted by Gus Pratt on September 04, 2001 at 01:58:12:
I am the current owner of this instrument. The body is a standard Martin 3-valve from the 1930's but the bell is indeed 30". There are four little holes (with matching plugs, thank goodness) for the lights. The bell was original equipment and has the body's serial number on it, although it must have been a special order. The instrument never fails to get attention at gigs. I have also heard of the 33" bells on the Jumbo Martin sousas but have never seen one. I have a Buescher catalog from 1929 that advertises sousa bells up to 34"!