A European fibreglass BBb sousaphone. Sadly no longer made by the now defunct Glassl factory. The tools are said to have been sold to a Dutch maker.
I liked this one, but not enough to buy it. Most European sousaphones have valve blocks more or less taken from top action tubas. This one has the much better airpath of the valve blocks seen in American sousaphones and front action tubas.
I always thought the Glassl tubas were a little too much novelty to be taken seriously, but down deep inside I always wanted one of their big fiberglass jobs. I'm sad they're no longer with us.
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You only have one chance to make a first impression. Don't blow it.
The Glassl Co. used to have custom sousaphones like this one displayed at the Frankfurt Musik Messe. That was back in 2004 when I last attended the convention. One in particular I remember seeing was the dragon-inspired souzie with the painted on scales, dragon head bell section and fins going down the back. It looked more like eye candy than anything.
