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Edited original text; Added photos to the post, This is a monster, plays very well and had loads of fun during a recent dixie gig.

Does anybody have any information regarding the existance of this type of York beast, in the BBb catagory of course, and any info regarding the larger posibility of a "Monster" version of a York? I know that they are probably damn heavy.



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I'm not sure there were any YM sousaphones. I'm thinking that sousaphones with the York label were still made in Grand Rapids while their premium tubas were imported from B&M and given the YM label.

Others might remember more, but my recollection is that the Grand Rapids factory continued to make student-model instruments while more serious stuff came from Germany.

Rick "whose YM valveset would fit nicely on a sousa, however" Denney

The York Master engraving also was found on student model BBb tubas with the same wrap as the 0.750" bore BBb tubas. Only the the student models just had 3 valves and their bore was much smaller.

Klaus

I can verify the existence of York Master sousaphones.
I own one, of the Eb persuasion.
It is a great sounding horn, that I picked up for $75 at a sidewalk sale!

The York- Master Model tubas and sousaphones were definitely made by Boehm & Meinl, and they are potentially fine instruments. As far as I know, the largest York- Master tubas and sousas were essentially 4/4 sized instruments.

I understand that all Grand Rapids production ceased by sometime in 1940. Before that, York in the USA made several sousaphones, including the monster BBb that I'll be marching with this Saturday. It sounds like a 6/4 concert tuba, and it is NOT lightweight . . . . .(!) Although it is not quite as massive as the Conn or King jumbos, it does have the original Big Valves and is plenty large.

The most unusual aspect of the Grand Rapids York sousas is the unique upper- and lower mouthpipe. With the above-mentioned instrument and another, York model 33-sized sousaphone that I'm finishing, the biggest hassle was fabricating a reproduction neck for these sousas. Instead of traditional bracing, they employ a sort-of brass dorsal fin for stiffness on both the upper and lower portions, and seem to play best with one bit.

Update, I have just acquired the sousaphone in question. It is in fact a York Band Instrument Co, sousaphone, Satin silver w/ the typical gold wash bell. Serial Number 110xxx, meaning 1931-38, depending opon which list one referes. It has a 26" bell, .750 bore, 3v BBb; funky mouthpipe design, and the neatist spring loaded waterkeys on each of the valve casings. Heavy as h***, I'm thinking this is their Model 786 BBb, Big *** mouthpipe bore, every mpc I had fell in. Fortunately, the seller included a very nice mpc to go with it.

Bump w/ Pics.

Cool horns!

Thanks Bob, They are definitely lots of fun, Pretty much covers everything I need, when I complete the EEb 5v Buescher, I Need to make some more socket flanges and adjust a couple of slides, but, it should complete a very functional arsenal.

i think i have a couple of those

Bob Kolada wrote:


Cool horns!

That's a nice looking silver 20J there.

This past summer I completed work on a customer's two York Band Instrument Co. Jumbo sousaphones (big project), one made in 1934 the other 1936. One required fabrication of the complete 2nd valve piston assembly and top cap, Along with complete reproduction gooseneck assemblies (from scratch) for each of the pair. Very nice instruments.

The owner was quite happy with the overall quality and playability of the pair.

D.C. Oberloh
Oberloh Woodwind and Brass Works