questions about York artist Eb sousaphone 1965

[Jack Denniston]

I'm going to go test drive a York artist Eb sousaphone this weekend. The owner says it was made in 1965, looks bad and plays good. valves and slides are good, lots of lacquer wear. If it fits me and plays as good as he says, I plan to buy it. Before I make the 5 hour drive, I'd like to know more about this model but I don't see much in the archives. Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Jack

[Jack Denniston]

bump

[Sam Gnagey]

I'm going to go test drive a York artist Eb sousaphone this weekend. The owner says it was made in 1965, looks bad and plays good. valves and slides are good, lots of lacquer wear. If it fits me and plays as good as he says, I plan to buy it. Before I make the 5 hour drive, I'd like to know more about this model but I don't see much in the archives. Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Jack

Hi Jack,
If the horn is indeed that new it was made by Bohm and Meinl (now Nirschl) when York was farming out most of their instrument production to Germany. Their copy of the 4/4 York BBb that I have which is labeled York Master is a fine playing tuba. I'm not directly familiar with the little Eb Sousaphone, but, judging from the York Master, there's a good chance that it's OK.
Tutikatut ol' thing,
Sam

[Jack Denniston]

Sam- thanks for your thoughts on the York sousaphone. Here's how it turned out- I went down to Charlotte and played it this weekend. It seemed to be in good shape except for the lacquer coming off. The sound was good, the intonation was OK, the valves worked fine and so did the slides. It fit me comfortably, and it seemed like it was well worth the price ($350) so I brought it home.