Conn Jumbo sousaphone

[Shockwave]

I have a 4 valve jumbo that was originally just like the jumbo raincatcher pictured, but was converted into a standard sousaphone at some point in the distant past. The conversion ended up a few inches too long because the original bell receiver was retained, so maybe someday I'll have it converted back to a raincatcher. To get it in tune I have to leave the horn in the sun to get it good and hot and use a ridiculous looking shortened mouthpiece.

A plastic jumbo would be fantastic! Not only would it be light enough to be usable, but in my opinion the softer tone of plastic would perfectly suit the bass heavy sound of a jumbo and let you lean into it more without blatting. There are already some plastic sousaphones that sound really good if you close your eyes, so a jumbo plastic sousaphone could be amazing.

-Eric

[Shockwave]

The bell is 26", which looks a little small on a horn this size. The only picture I have of the sousaphone (until I get a new camera) is this one where I stuck a loudspeaker horn where the bell is supposed to go. If you look close you can see it has a raincatcher bell mount soldered together and the screw holes plugged. The weight with the normal bell is 50lbs.



Also in the same folder I found this comparison I made of the various jumbophones.



-Eric

[bearphonium]

Ian, that looks like a wonderful sousaphone. I am envious...of both the horn, and the ability to carry it!

[Mcordon1]

beautiful !!! and good luck...I can t imagine what it might be like to march with that beast !!! Hit the gym !!!!

Heck... it's only 42 pounds! The problem is after marching with it for several years, you left shoulder would be 'stooped' and your left leg would be 2" shorter!

The GG contra I used in the Empire Statesmen was the same weight...I have a permanent darkened area of skin on my left shoulder from those 2 summers of marching. But, marching with it is the primary reason I lost about 25 pounds. My fiberglass sousa feels like it's floating above my shoulder compared to that horn!

[Dan Schultz]

..... there is an extra open note between Bb and F....

Hey! I think I got screwed! I didn't get that 'extra' note.

There's not a 'correct' number of felts or corks. It's a matter of whatever stackup it takes to get good alignment.

[MartyNeilan]

..... there is an extra open note between Bb and F....

Hey! I think I got screwed! I didn't get that 'extra' note.

There's not a 'correct' number of felts or corks. It's a matter of whatever stackup it takes to get good alignment.

If you are talking about a VERY flat open high Ab on all BBb tubas, then yes, it is there and it is a normal part of the harmonic series. Trombone players use it all the time, to play G in a very sharp 2nd position, and Gb in a very sharp 3rd position. On traditional valved instruments, that partial is unfortunately useless.

[Mcordon1]

Here are some more pictures - of sizes 4/4, 5/4, 6/4, 7(8)/4

(gets on knees) I'm not worthy!

Great pics.

[pwhitaker]

2 observations:

1 - Extra note: My quondam 5/4 Rudy BBb had an extra low G below the 2nd partial Bb which was played with 1-3 or 4. I could play the low F right below it and slur up the one tone to the G , or even lip trill the two notes with the same fingering.

2. 7th partials: Both of my 6/4 BBb's have usable 7th partials - F#,G,Ab: 1,2,open. For fast passages they are virtually indistinguishable from their 8th partial analogues. I recently sold an older 186 BBb with usable 7th partials. On all these horns I could lip them up to almost the exact pitch.

[iiipopes]

On traditional valved instruments, that partial is unfortunately useless.

On most traditional valved instruments it is not in tune. In addition to the above, on the Besson 3-valve comp I used to own the 7th partials were only slightly flat and very lippable and usable for G-2 and Gb-1.

[Harvey Hartman]

I think we forgot to fix that reciever when you were here ... with the horn at my shop... I dont see the bell in your Picture??
May be its my computer??Thanks Harv.

[SousaSaver]

You're such a small guy and that's such a HUGE horn...

HOW'S YOUR BACK?

[imperialbari]

Yes, give it to Hulk Hogan. Or is it his father in the photo?

[Dan Schultz]

I took my 48K to the 'Windjammer Summer Meet' at Oskaloosa, Iowa last week. The horn was well-received and most of the 12 other tuba players there gave it a toot and a BIG 'thumbs-up'.

[Steve Marcus]

I play my 48K for Dixieland/trad jazz gigs. My colleagues in the bands really like the full sound and solid foundation that it provides. With the right mouthpiece, taking solos to the top of the staff and above is quite feasible. One of the bandleaders admits that the look of the horn is a visual attraction that audiences will remember--anything that will trigger a re-hire. I've even marched with it once, albeit a short Good Friday evening procession. I really enjoy playing the horn; it speaks so easily and makes such a deep, warm, massive sound that can really be sensed by the player when in a sanctuary or similar space where the sound from the bell comes back at you. Lee Stofer did a great job on the overhaul; the 4 valves work very smoothly.

You're such a small guy and that's such a HUGE horn...

If you think Kiltie is small, I'm almost a foot shorter than he and noticeably older.

HOW'S YOUR BACK?

So far, so good. Despite its 50 pound weight, the horn is very well balanced once positioned properly. The thick, wide, solid metal shoulder rest distributes the weight very well so that all the weight is not concentrated on one little spot.

Although I'd like to find a used sousaphone stand designed like the K&M with the "X" type arms that extend far enough to accommodate the Grand Jumbo (the Hercules, Wenger, and similar stands are too small), I've played every gig thus far with the horn on my shoulder for well over an hour at a time. So far, so good for my back, shoulder, and other parts of my body. It doesn't replace the sheer joy of playing a significant tuba part with a 6/4 concert tuba in a fine symphony orchestra, but it is a very pleasant contrast.

Showing a Friend My Conn 48K Jumbo sousaphone.JPG

Kinsmen Brass Finale with 4-valve Grand Jumbo sousaphone.jpg

N.B. Kinsmen Brass is an 11-piece choir (423.11) in which I normally play my Nirschl CC or my Besson 983. The Grand Finale of this concert was Michael Allen's (Boulder Brass) arrangement of Barnum & Bailey's Favorite. What could be more appropriate for a Grand Jumbo Sousaphone than a circus march?

[SousaSaver]

I'm working on a stand for those jumbos, but the trouble is building something that won't allow the thing to tip over from the weight of the bell...yeesh

[Dan Schultz]

I'm working on a stand for those jumbos, but the trouble is building something that won't allow the thing to tip over from the weight of the bell...yeesh

Kevin... the old K & M stand works well on those horns. The upper 'legs' could stand to be another inch or so longer but I've not had any problems. I used mine during four days of 'Windjammers' last week and sat comfortably NEXT to the 'jumbo'.

[MrBasseyPants]

Great pics!

I want a 48K (or a big King horn) so bad, I can taste it! (eewwww)....I don't even play sousaphone that much....but I think I would look for more
opportunities with a bigger horn!
....and it's true....Steve's a small guy....with a big sound. I have been lucky enough to get to play next to him and his Nirschl....I am betting
his 48K playing is fantastic,

Love my 40K.....but I need more!

jc