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The gypsies that I know here in Europe would always choose the most economical soultion. Given the choice between sousaphones and helicons they would always choose the helicon.

Most often gypsies don't have choices and just take (borrow, steal, use) what they can get.

In my opinion, your best solution would be the helicon because you can use that for other ensembles as well.

The difference is not always in what you play, but how you play it.

I have posted this advice before, but I think it bears repeating: Find a shop in your area and try a few out. Buy the one you like. Now to the question you actually asked.

I vote Sousaphone. In my opinion they are going to be more abundant, so you will be able to find one reasonably priced in a playable condition. Most Helicons are older and might need to have the valves rebuilt. (Assuming the instrument wasn't restored)

Good luck!

BRSousa wrote: I vote Sousaphone. In my opinion they are going to be more abundant, so you will be able to find one reasonably priced in a playable condition.

And often ergonomically better. I have an Eb helicon just like the one you'd see on one of the Kočani Orkestar CD covers. Its previous owner couldn't bear the contorted right arm position. For me, it isn't as bad as the picture recently posted here in a question about detachable bells on helicons, but it does involve a little crick in the neck.

The first problem is that the leadpipe is fixed, not a flexible multi-bit arrangement as commonly found on sousaphones, so your shoulder to mouth distance just has to be close to the design target. (I've wondered, though, if that really has more to do with why they might sound more like lap tubas, rather than the bell flare - isn't the leadpipe kind of a critical acoustic element?)

Second problem is rotary valves, which displace your hand position several inches inboard. A few older designs can be found that fold the usual rotary assembly over, so the keys are at right angle to the linkage and it looks like you get a couple inches back, but it must not be as great an idea as it looks, since no one does it any more.

US made helicons typically don't have these problems, they're just like sousaphones (with poorer projection, more difficult to transport, and more of a threat to innocent bystanders to your left.)

If you have some kind of folk music band, like where you're all wearing matching Romanian costumes and stuff, then by all means round up a helicon (and lots of unlacquered oval baritones!) What I've seen going on lately, though, is a kind of eclectic fusion of Balkan with other street band influences, and they either use lap tubas or sousaphones, can't recall a single helicon. The tuba player for I think one of the best US Balkan bands, has been known to post here historically, plays a common C tuba -- PT-something-or-other maybe, I don't follow that stuff - holding it standing up without visible aid of a strap or anything, when I saw him.

No problem - buy one of each
Roger

I agree with Donn - if you are playing Balkan Brass (or even Polka Band stuff) a Helicon is better visually, but there are some sound projection differences. I use Helicons and Sousaphones a lot, depending on what, where, and why I am playing.

Helicons are not quite as "safe" for close order drill - you would be more likely to "Klang!" somebody doing a counter-march, but for "stage" playing you can position your body so the bell is pointing towards the audience (or the band - depending on which side of the stage you are on.)

Rotor vs. piston is a whole other ball of wax I won't get into, but if you are buying a newish horn, rotor helicons are the only well made horns easily available - not considering the recent Indian/whatever "Guggen-Style" helicons as anything other than novelty instruments...