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hi, first post. cool place. just picked up this silver king sousaphone (see pic) and know next to nothing about it (or sousas in general). 24" bell. serial number 103xxx i think puts it mid 1920's? mouthpiece is 24AW, no brand name stamped on it. would this be an Eb horn? any other info/opinions appreciated. thanks in advance.

Yes, typically when the body doesn't form a complete loop, but instead doubles back to meet the valves like that, you're looking at an Eb. Looks good.

ok, Eb, good to know. thanks. also, should there be more pipe between the mouthpiece and the elbow there? kind of have to lean way over to get lips onto mouthpiece (again i know nada about this stuff). thanks in advance.

d_gauss wrote:ok, Eb, good to know. thanks. also, should there be more pipe between the mouthpiece and the elbow there? kind of have to lean way over to get lips onto mouthpiece (again i know nada about this stuff). thanks in advance.

Yes, you're looking for a couple appropriately sized `bits', between the elbow and the mouthpiece.

Generally, BBb sousaphones require 2 bits as part of their leadpipe, but most Eb sousaphones use just one bit. Try it with one King bit, and see how it plays.

thanks for that um, "bit" of info. (groan...sorry) where would i find such a thing? (i'm a sax player, not sousa)

d_gauss wrote:thanks for that um, "bit" of info. (groan...sorry) where would i find such a thing? (i'm a sax player, not sousa)

Good to have you here. I bought a pair of these from WWBW.com. Can't remember how much they cost, though...

As for being a sax player: "The first step to recovery is to realize you have a problem."

d_gauss wrote:thanks for that um, "bit" of info. (groan...sorry) where would i find such a thing? (i'm a sax player, not sousa)

I've had good luck with Taylor Music. They have just about all sousa necks and bits.
Here ya go:
http://www.1800usaband.com/products/view/994

thanks for links. before i start putting money into this, are these considered good horns? or would i be better off just hanging it on the wall? fwiw, when i blow into it, it makes a wonderful, house-shaking fart sound that i am able to change pitch via the depressing the valves.

Yes, I believe you have a good one there. I have played only the full loop one, as pictured above, and I think that's the version that has the especially good reputation - but if its valves are in good shape - if you tire of trying to play it, someone here would probably be delighted to take it off your hands.

In my experience, old kings have always been wonderful horns! I have a King Eb Helicon which I love to death. I also have an Eb King peck horn, and two King Baritones. They are pretty consistent to me, and I've never had a reason to complain about them.

Given the shape of the horn though, you may want to pull the Pistons out and give them a good check for plating wear. The plating on my Helicon's third Valve was almost gone when I bought it, and it WILL make your low notes even more farty but less glorious

TubadudeCA wrote: it WILL make your low notes even more farty but less glorious

ha!