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Is there a list anywhere of the diameters of the male ends of various brands of sousaphone bits? (I'm sure someone will ask, so- I did search this site and Google with negative results, otherwise I would not post this)

If not, maybe someone would be so kind as to take some measurements.

Thanks in advance.

I do not have digital calipers, but I tried my best using a tape measure, close eyes and a calculator. I have 3 different sousas/bits that I have access to.

Sousaphone male bit end diameters (the part that goes into the gooseneck):

- Yamaha 411 --> (somewhat tapered male bit end) = .531"

- Signet (Selmer) --> (cylindrical male bit end) = .562"

- King --> (very tapered male bit end) = .562"

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So all male bit ends were just over half-inch in diameter. They were all quite close in diameter, but with different tapers.
Maybe someone with digital calipers could give even more accurate readings, but that's the best I could give with what I have...

I measured my Reynolds bits, and they are .520 at the very tip, but with a wider taper than the standard mouthpiece taper.

I believe King uses two different sized bits; I think the smaller one goes into the larger one? Although that may be the female end that is different, don't know if the male ends are different. Its been awhile since I played a king.

Conns bits are the same.

k

Thanks to everyone who has replied thus far.

ken k wrote:I believe King uses two different sized bits; I think the smaller one goes into the larger one? Although that may be the female end that is different, don't know if the male ends are different. Its been awhile since I played a king.

Conns bits are the same.

k

Yes, most sousaphones use two different bits. However, they are designed where you can use one or both bits -- you do not need to use two bits. I find myself only needing to use one bit on most sousaphones. The bigger and smaller bits have the same male end diameter, and both fit into the gooseneck. But the bigger bit (most of the time) cannot be used by itself because the mpc will wobble around in it -- it needs to be used in conjunction with the smaller bit. The smaller bit can be used by itself because it is the one the mpc goes into, and this bit has the same male end diameter as the bigger bit, so it also fits into the gooseneck. But it depends on what model sousaphone/bits are used. That has been my experience, anyway...

Thanks again. The King bits were just what I needed.