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I have seen many players here play both the brass and fiberglass versions of the sousaphone through the years. Last week I had the opportunity to try out a 70's Conn fiberglass BBb sousa. It sounded good, though it was outside. The big difference though was it's weight. I was able to carry it with ease after rehearsals.

Despite this, I'm still partial to brass because of the sound and sights that you see. My silver Jupiter sousa is staying right here.

Vote in the poll, especially for those who've had experience playing both kinds of sousas.

Hank74

Hi Joe!

How can you work with brass instruments, when you are so drenched in acids?

94K

(26+28+40=94)

I voted for brass. I've owned and played both and will gladly bear the weight in exchange for better projection and appearance. (the appearance this is just my opinion.) If I need something easy to 'wear' I'll take my little Eb helicon. Otherwise it's gonna be a very heavy Martin BBb 'mammoth'. Played it today! Great horn.

Try a fiberglass bell on a brass body.....sounds better than either on its own.

Sam Gnagey wrote:Try a fiberglass bell on a brass body.....sounds better than either on its own.

I've seen a brass bell on a fiberglass body. That works pretty good, too!

Carbon fiber would match the custom car parts some people are using these days...

Conn 20k p0wnz j00z!!!
.....

Just joking, but on a serious note I believe that I don't like fiberglass sousaphones because they have a really "dead" sound to them. It's like someone took my warm tone and removed its soul. It's there, but not really.

A.K. wrote:Brass may sound better, but if you buy sousa for yourself (your own money), you can imagine it after 10 year exploitation. Anyway - fiberglass.

I've seem some very ugly fiberglass horns. Maybe kids oughta have to buy their own horns from the jump. Then... MAYBE they might take care of 'em. Just because the school owns fiberglass horns, there's still no point in throwing them around.