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Hello all -

I have posted a minor history of the Sousaphone. It is (in my opinion) not really helpful, but hopefully entertaining.

I AM riding on the coat tails of Ian Church, who did FAR more work than I, and I do appreciate his brilliant article.

Here it is. Let me know what you think, and if I made any mistakes.

http://sousacentral.blogspot.com/2011/0 ... d-its.html

Nice summary, but just one quibble. Not all helicons had fixed bells. I have a Henry Distin BBb Helicon from about 1895 with a detachable 30" bell. It was clearly made this way in the factory because the fitting on the bell that fits the brace that holds it in place has the same elaborate embossed design as the ferrules on the horn.

Some interesting tidbits and a few minor typos. Thanks!

Thanks for letting me know! I wouldn't ask if I didn't want to know. Edited the bit about Helicons having fixed bells and fixed the typo.

My source for the 1908 date is the New Langwill Index. Official dates for this stuff isn't always accurate for the ACTUAL production for the trial and test instruments. So you are probably right.

I agree with you on the dance bands. That would be interesting to look into.

I say that Conn perfected the design because, at that period of time many companies were making their own versions of Sousaphones. I am not saying that the other companies made a bad product, I just think that Conn's product was better (in my opinion) most of the time.

Truth be told, there are many awesome Sousas from that era; Conn, King, Buescher, etc.