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Hello all -

Get a look at my King:

http://sousacentral.blogspot.com/2011/0 ... oject.html

I am modifying it for my own amusement. Anyone have a bell to sell?

Those old Kings are fun to fool with. Next time you need to strip off that 'Eastlake' lacquer... try using Easy-off oven cleaner.... Stinky, but it usually works. If you've already put a torch to the stuff, you're screwed!

These horns are really under-rated imo. The intonation on them can be fantabulous. Sweet tone, easy to play. I'll be looking for a nice one when the funding is available.

That is what I used. I didn't mention it specifically in the article because I didn't want anyone trying to do it at home because it's dangerous. There were some areas of burned lacquer that had to be scrubbed off with Easy Off and a scotch brite pad. Yeesh...

fairweathertuba wrote:These horns are really under-rated imo. The intonation on them can be fantabulous. Sweet tone, easy to play. I'll be looking for a nice one when the funding is available.

I agree. I like them better than the Conn 5J because of the slightly larger bore. With a .687 bore and a relatively compact size it is a very versatile horn.

BRSousa wrote:That is what I used. I didn't mention it specifically in the article because I didn't want anyone trying to do it at home because it's dangerous. There were some areas of burned lacquer that had to be scrubbed off with Easy Off and a scotch brite pad. Yeesh...

No more dangerous than cleaning an oven. Common sense prevails though... rubber gloves, long sleeves, and eye protection is warranted.

fairweathertuba wrote:These horns are really under-rated imo. The intonation on them can be fantabulous. Sweet tone, easy to play.

+1


@ BRSousa. Nice job on the tuba. How on earth did you round out that bent 4th valve casing?

fairweathertuba wrote:
These horns are really under-rated imo. The intonation on them can be fantabulous. Sweet tone, easy to play.

Ditto. Been playing a 1241 since 1972. Can more than hold its own in large wind ensembles, and nimble enough to get the job done in brass quintets. Also, spot on intonation.

BRSousa wrote:What you cannot see is the valve alignment that I gave this horn. The valve button felts were replaced with o-rings. The stem felts were replaced with neoprene bumpers.

I'd be willing to bet you didn't pay $180 for that alignment kit.

tooba wrote:

fairweathertuba wrote:These horns are really under-rated imo. The intonation on them can be fantabulous. Sweet tone, easy to play.

+1


@ BRSousa. Nice job on the tuba. How on earth did you round out that bent 4th valve casing?

Plastic hammer, casing mandrel, thread chaser and lots of patience. This horn was LITERALLY dragged on concrete at some point in it's life.

cjk wrote:

BRSousa wrote:What you cannot see is the valve alignment that I gave this horn. The valve button felts were replaced with o-rings. The stem felts were replaced with neoprene bumpers.

I'd be willing to bet you didn't pay $180 for that alignment kit.

As a matter of fact I paid around 6 or 7 bucks for it. I did have to cut some of the o-rings with a razor to get precise valve alignment. It wasn't quite two o-rings to line up properly.

You realize that if you use a one-piece bell the pitch will go up at least a quarter step. It will make the bugle about 6 inches shorter. That's why you'll find the extended ferrules on the Conn 5xj series horns. Good luck with the project. BTW: For anyone needing to strip the lacquer on these old Kings, we have a tank set up and will do that for you.

Sam Gnagey wrote:You realize that if you use a one-piece bell the pitch will go up at least a quarter step. It will make the bugle about 6 inches shorter. That's why you'll find the extended ferrules on the Conn 5xj series horns. Good luck with the project. BTW: For anyone needing to strip the lacquer on these old Kings, we have a tank set up and will do that for you.

Absolutely. I have taken that into consideration. I do appreciate the heads up and the offer to strip the lacquer, but alas, I no longer reside in the hoosier state. My daughter is a hoosier though...