Conn 20k- were there any without the short action valves?

Monty · Post by **Monty** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 1:19 pm

Thats my question- bidding on one but I thought the straight valves were without exception the 14k.
thanks

Lew · Post by **Lew** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 1:31 pm

All Conn model 20K sousaphones have short action valves. The model 38K was the equivalent model with regular valves. The 14K came later and was the standard valve Conn sousaphone, but is slightly different from the 20K.

Rick Denney · Post by **Rick Denney** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 2:56 pm

Lew wrote:All Conn model 20K sousaphones have short action valves. The model 38K was the equivalent model with regular valves. The 14K came later and was the standard valve Conn sousaphone, but is slightly different from the 20K.

The 14K is smaller than the 20K or 38K models. I would consider it a 4/4 sousaphone versus a 6/4 sousaphone. I like mine a lot--it's lighter than most brass sousas, the intonation is better than any 20K I've ever played, and the sound has good clarity to it. It's also more open feeling than a King, which I attribute to a larger bore and a main tuning slide after the valves. I like mine a lot.

Rick "thinking the 14K is the brass version of the fiberglass 36K" Denney