Fixing Fiber-Sousas

Dave Hayami · Post by **Dave Hayami** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 2:03 am

It looks like you have a couple of Conn 22K sousaphones.
One of them appears to be an early model with a longer fiberglass first branch (as compared to the 36K). Valve parts should be the same as the 20K Brass sousaphone.
Good luck, be careful using either epoxies/polyester resins and glass cloth
when repairing them.
Dave Hayami

tubatom91 · Post by **tubatom91** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 7:23 pm

I have a few more Questions for you experts out there. Best way to get grime out of valves (without destroying them!). Best paint to get a nice shine on the bells. And how to clean up the valve section a bit.

iiipopes · Post by **iiipopes** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 12:09 am

Well, except for the crushed neck, nothing looks really that bad, and since you can get new necks for the valve blocks, that's probably not that big of a deal, either; just a few more bucks for that one.

What kind of grime? If it's black or brown, just rinse and buff slightly. If it's green, you may have to use a little bit more. I like a dilute solution of water, vinegar, salt and dish soap to clean the items that have turned totally green, soak them for a minute then use a soft old toothbrush, then rinse, and rinse, and rinse, and...did I say rinse?

But yours don't look that bad. Probably just good warm (not hot -- it could dissolve what's left of the lacuqer) dish soapy water and the insides of the casings and ports with the same old soft toothbrush or purpose made snake should be fine.