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Hello everyone. I need some help with a couple of things.

I acquired an old sousaphone from a flea market recently. From the size of it, I assume it is an Eb. It is mostly raw brass, with a few remnants of laquer here and there. I was afraid the valves and slides were going to be frozen. Amazingly enough, after a bath, lots of slide grease, and lots of valve oil, the horn seems very playable. There are no holes in the brass anywhere that I can see, and the slides and valves all move like butter. Here are the two things I need help with:

1. I'm wondering about how old it is. It is an F.E. Olds & Son, and on the valve casing is marked with the serial number 48,XXX. Anyone know a general time frame on it?

2. The only thing keeping me from play testing this baby is the fact that it doesn't have a neck. The lower receiver is present and in fine shape. I was wondering if any of you out there had a used, compatible neck lying around you would sell me for not a lot of $$. Or, if that isn't possible, perhaps one of you could tell me exactly what necks I could look for that would be compatible.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Your Olds sousa was probably made in 1965. As far as I know, the Eb Olds sousas had full wraps (didn't have the 'dummy' tube over the shoulder). You might find a bargain neck on Ebay. You need to measure the inside diameter of the receiver in the lower neckpipe to make sure you get the right one. It should be the same a one for Reynolds.... but there's no guarantee unless you measure it first. The replacement neck for the Olds/Reynolds measures .636" where it enters the receiver. Retail on the neck is about $100 and you'll need the bits, too. They are an additional $40 retail. Some dealers might discount the prices. Used neckpipes are hard to find. They usually end up twisted off or lost altogether.

I have a couple of used necks for the Olds sousaphone, but unfortunately I don't have any bits. I'll let one go for WAY cheaper than $100.

Bandmaster, I sent you a PM through the boards here. Thank you both for your responses!

Hello,
Old's made a BBb "JR" sized sousaphone, very small outer branches, tighter wrap, but with a very similar looking valve cluster. If your third valve slides are a "double top loop", it might be one of these 3/4 size sousaphones.I do not know if it uses the same "normal" size neck.
What is your bell diameter/collar diameter?
Good Luck, post some pics,
Dave Hayami

I don't have any pics yet, but here are some of the things you asked about:

There IS a kind of double loop thing on the top 3rd valve slides.

The bell diameter is just a hair shy of 20 inches.

The collar diameter is right around 5 inches, give or take.

I don't have a precision measuring device, but using a ruler I measured the inside diameter of the lower receiver, and it was almost dead on 11/16", if that helps.

I'll post some pics soon!

Hey! Sorry no pictures yet. My scanner bit the dust on me, and I don't have a digital camera. I know a beat-up sousaphone isn't interesting to EVERYONE on these forums, but for those of you who are interested in seeing a flea market find I WILL post some pictures eventually!

I received the used neck from Bandmaster today (thanks again!), and did a little play-testing. I was blown away! First of all, it IS an itty bitty BBb, not an Eb. Second of all, this little ugly sucker PLAYS! I didn't expect much from a horn that was 1. Dented up and ugly 2. Bought for $35 in a flea market 3. Made by Olds

Lemme tell ya, this thing is NOT stuffy like so many other sousaphones. Without a 4th valve there's only so much I can do, of course. But I am QUITE pleased with how she sounds! She'll be an EXCELLENT pep band/jazz band/outside horn.

Now if I can just track down some USED bits for it, I'll be all set!

Congrats on your new to you (but not really new) horn!

I'm not so surprised that it sounds good. Olds was a decent company in the 60s and before. 70s onward? Not so much.

Congrats on the horn! In this time period, Reynolds had come out of retirement to work with Olds, and Zig Kanstul ran the shop. No wonder it's a great sounding horn!