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I noticed that Conn 22K sousaphones come in two styles. One has more fiber tubing than the other. I mean that the brass to fiber joint is on a different spot in the main tube.
What’s the difference between the two besides the physical difference? Production year?

See examples:

The 1968 Conn catalogue shows a 22K similar to your upper sample (less brass tubing).

Klaus

Went on searching my galleries for 22K entries. One dated 1970 also had the shorter brass tubing, whereas a non-date done with a very yellowed inner belle flare has the longer brass tubing.

Klaus

My 22k (N50774) has the longer brass tube. A quickie search on my serial # puts it as a 1970 model.

If one went with general tendencies in the use of materials, one might have assumed that more synthetic material would have equalled newer. The opposite is the case here. The original more-fibre version apparently allowed for less durability than expected.

Klaus

Hey! Those horns look very familiar...

Some have a goofy threaded brace that attaches to the body. You can see it in one of the photos above.

Also, the 22K with the fiber 4th branch has a tension screw that secures the brass to the fiber. The 22K with the brass 4th branch is a "press" fit with no tension screw to secure it. It was designed to seal with O-rings, but I use clear silicone in addition to the o-rings to get a really good seal.

They play very similarly for me.

Thanks for the nice picture BRSousa

So the difference is just the production year with no big advantages from one over the other?

I recently bought a 22K with the fiber 4th branch (with tension screw at the brass to the fiber junction). I like it alot! I like it better than my Brass vintage King. The 22K gives a bigger sound and has a better projection (the people in the back of the room told me ).

Unfortunately it's flat with two bits. With one bit it's spot on but uncomfortable. I think I've read something about this somewhere. Is this a common thing for the 22K?

bloke wrote:

P@rick wrote:Thanks for the nice picture BRSousa

So the difference is just the production year with no big advantages from one over the other?

I recently bought a 22K with the fiber 4th branch (with tension screw at the brass to the fiber junction). I like it alot! I like it better than my Brass vintage King. The 22K gives a bigger sound and has a better projection (the people in the back of the room told me ).

Unfortunately it's flat with two bits. With one bit it's spot on but uncomfortable. I think I've read something about this somewhere. Is this a common thing for the 22K?

Has it been rebuilt? Sometimes, repair-guys mix-and-match parts and don't pay attention to minor discrepancies. The 36K main tuning slide assembly (same dimensions otherwise) is longer.

Is the difference between a 22K and a 36K short action valves on the 22K?

bloke wrote:Has it been rebuilt? Sometimes, repair-guys mix-and-match parts and don't pay attention to minor discrepancies. The 36K main tuning slide assembly (same dimensions otherwise) is longer.

Good point.

Can anyone measure the distance between de 2nd valve case (measured against the valve case) and the middle of the main tuning slide bow (measured against the inside of the bow) on a 22K? I will do the same as soon as I'm home.

22kdave wrote:My 22k (N50774) has the longer brass tube. A quickie search on my serial # puts it as a 1970 model.

My 22K (N55...)too- and a light yellow bell.

Ulli