Goose neck & tuning bits hunt

[Mcordon1]

Looking for a new goose neck and 2 new tuning bits for my vintage King fiberglass sousaphone.

Found this on WWBW, the title is King, but the description says Conn, so I don't want to get the wrong stuff.
http://www.wwbw.com/King-Sousaphone-Nec ... 25412.wwbw" target="_blank

I guess it really doesn't matter what brand, just the bore.

And I think the bore of my sousa is .687".

Any tips?

[Tom]

Call WWBW and ask for Roger Lewis.

He's the "tuba guy" and will ensure that you receive the correct item. While you're talking with him, mention the website glitch, and he'll probably have the folks there correct it.

[David Richoux]

I found out (the hard way) that there is a lot of differences possible in goosenecks and bits. I ordered some replacement bits for my fiberglass Olds (mid 70s vintage) from an on-line store. I even called and asked if it would work with my particular horn, the salesperson said sure, sure.

They were just a tiny bit oversize in the taper, so I had to make another order for new gooseneck as well - another week passes and the gooseneck arrives - a very tight fit into the receiving tube, but it did eventually work. I don't know if the problems come from variations in plating thickness, revised taper - OD/ID specs or just poor manufacturing. I was told (by two different sources) that they all come from one maker, regardless of which web store you order from.

maybe some of our repair specialists can illuminate!

[Dan Schultz]

Looking for a new goose neck and 2 new tuning bits for my vintage King fiberglass sousaphone.

Found this on WWBW, the title is King, but the description says Conn, so I don't want to get the wrong stuff.
http://www.wwbw.com/King-Sousaphone-Nec ... 25412.wwbw" target="_blank" target="_blank

I guess it really doesn't matter what brand, just the bore.

And I think the bore of my sousa is .687".

Any tips?

If you order a neck and bits for a Conn from the 'big box' store or probably your local music store... what you will received is a set of King neck and bits. That's because what used to be Conn is now King... thanks to the Conn/King/UMI transformation into Conn/Selmer/Steinway.

If you have a Conn sousa that's older than 1978... you'll need to order a neck and bits specifically for a Conn 20 or 22K.

In other words... if you ask for a King... the neck and bits should fit a King.... but might say Conn.

A OLD King neck or NEW Conn (except NEW 20/22K) neck should be .654". An OLD Conn neck (or new 20/22K neck) should be .688".

(Damn! I hope I got all that right! If not, I'm sure someone will let me know )

Confused??

[iiipopes]

What Dan said. That was exactly the situation I ran into when I had to get a receiver for the 38K. We had to order one specifically for a 20K. The Conn 36K fiberglass souzy is the King 2370 souzy, the only difference being what decal is put on it at the time it is shipped out the door to fill an order, kind of like Olds/Reynolds in the late 70's: same horns, engraved as needed to fill orders.

Also, traditionally, with King bits, each of the pair is slightly different sized, so you have to match up mouthpiece--bit#1--bit#2--gooseneck--receiver carefully.