Anybody know the make/model of Kirk Joseph's new Sousaphone?

[David Richoux]

Saw him playing with Dirty Dozen (after many yeas away from that group) and he had this (looks) new 4 valve horn:

kirk joseph.jpg

Any ideas?

[David Richoux]

Thanks.

According to their website it has strainless steel valves!

[Full Metal Ratchet]

Thanks.

According to their website it has strainless steel valves!

Makes it easier to hit the high notes!

[SousaSaver]

"Cut it to CC."

Yeah, for all those orchestral Sousaphone gigs!

[Alex C]

Thanks.

According to their website it has strainless steel valves!

If the stainless steel valve doesn't wear, the piston casing will wear. To repair that (admittedly after many years), the piston have to be trued and fitted as with regular valves. (I don't know what you plate it with.)

So, what's the advantage?

The difference between the weight of the 3 and 4 valve Jupiter sousaphone is immediately noticable. The 4 valve is a boulder on your shoulder.

[David Richoux]

Thanks.

According to their website it has strainless steel valves!

If the stainless steel valve doesn't wear, the piston casing will wear. To repair that (admittedly after many years), the piston have to be trued and fitted as with regular valves. (I don't know what you plate it with.)

So, what's the advantage?

The difference between the weight of the 3 and 4 valve Jupiter sousaphone is immediately noticable. The 4 valve is a boulder on your shoulder.

They aren't stainless - they are STRAINLESS!

I know the pain of a 4th valve - on my 1929 Conn it is not only the weight - the 4th pipe lays right against my diaphragm, even after I had it re-shaped a bit at Best Music Repair. However, I think it is worth the penalties.

[imperialbari]

I know the pain of a 4th valve - on my 1929 Conn it is not only the weight - the 4th pipe lays right against my diaphragm, even after I had it re-shaped a bit at Best Music Repair. However, I think it is worth the penalties.

You had Best Music Repair reshaping your diaphragm?

K

[iiipopes]

Being a Jupiter, I hope they've done more QC and upgrade to build quality than the souzys I played a couple of years ago that were so light the metal dented just picking them up, and so thin that the entire horn simply buzzed metal resonance instead of intonating an actual souzy tone.

[David Richoux]

I know the pain of a 4th valve - on my 1929 Conn it is not only the weight - the 4th pipe lays right against my diaphragm, even after I had it re-shaped a bit at Best Music Repair. However, I think it is worth the penalties.

You had Best Music Repair reshaping your diaphragm?

K

It wasn't very pretty then and it has gotten worse after 20+ years ;D

(if they had not reset the plumbing I would have to tip the horn back about 15 degrees!)

[toobagrowl]

Has anyone here played on the newer Jupiter souzys; especially this 4-valve model?

[tokuno]

The difference between the weight of the 3 and 4 valve Jupiter sousaphone is immediately noticable. The 4 valve is a boulder on your shoulder.

Ah, so you would need an over-the-shoulder-boulder holder, i.e. tubra, eh?