Getting back in...sousaphone choice

The bulk of the musical talk
Post Reply
micolatte
bugler
bugler
Posts: 52
Joined: Mon Oct 24, 2011 3:47 pm
Location: Chicago, IL
Contact:

Getting back in...sousaphone choice

Post by micolatte »

Getting back into NoLa bands and perfrming with them...what's your sousa of choice for this genre? I have an old Reynolds fibreglass body with a very old Martin bell (it's a sweet horn) but am looking for an upgrade as the body is starting to wear and tear...THANKS!
Chris Michelotti
UW-Milwaukee B.A.
UW-Milwaukee M.M.
-------------------
User avatar
jbaylies
5 valves
5 valves
Posts: 1001
Joined: Sun Jul 23, 2006 2:35 pm
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Contact:

Re: Getting back in...sousaphone choice

Post by jbaylies »

Conn 20K is the gold standard.

Conn 22K is great too, if you prefer fiberglass.
User avatar
iiipopes
Utility Infielder
Utility Infielder
Posts: 8556
Joined: Tue Sep 06, 2005 1:10 am

Re: Getting back in...sousaphone choice

Post by iiipopes »

And the Conn 20K is very heavy. The conventional wisdom used to be to get a used Conn 14k/36k, King, Olds, Reynolds to get back in. I don't know if there are any modern souzys worth the money to do that.

Frankly, the one you have, cleaned up, may be just fine.
Jupiter JTU1110, RT-82.
"Real" Conn 36K.
toobagrowl
5 valves
5 valves
Posts: 1525
Joined: Mon Aug 02, 2010 3:12 pm
Location: USA

Re: Getting back in...sousaphone choice

Post by toobagrowl »

NoLa players tend to prefer King sousas; at least that is what 'bloke' had stated on here in the past.
Personal preference -- play what you like. What type of sound are you going for? Weight?

I don't do NoLa music, but wish there were more opportunities to lug out my old Conn 14k, as it is a fun sousa to play on :tuba:
User avatar
iiipopes
Utility Infielder
Utility Infielder
Posts: 8556
Joined: Tue Sep 06, 2005 1:10 am

Re: Getting back in...sousaphone choice

Post by iiipopes »

toobagrowl wrote: Fri Apr 16, 2021 1:00 am NoLa players tend to prefer King sousas; at least that is what 'bloke' had stated on here in the past.
Personal preference -- play what you like. What type of sound are you going for? Weight?

I don't do NoLa music, but wish there were more opportunities to lug out my old Conn 14k, as it is a fun sousa to play on. :tuba:
Indeed. I concur. I play a U-bass with a husband-wife ukulele duo (Uke66 on facebook), and he has mentioned a couple of songs that they play that sound more like trad-jazz than stereotypical ukulele repertoire that he has wondered about tuba/souzy. I'm going to convince him to put a few songs together as a mini-set that I can switch to souzy to get some variety to an outdoor gig.
Jupiter JTU1110, RT-82.
"Real" Conn 36K.
User avatar
jbaylies
5 valves
5 valves
Posts: 1001
Joined: Sun Jul 23, 2006 2:35 pm
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Contact:

Re: Getting back in...sousaphone choice

Post by jbaylies »

Here's some 20K recordings:
Damon Bryson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eB4oFu4BtQ8
Raphael Buyo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFrCyU_1zw0
Philipp Westermann https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKFbnhcNnjE
Kirk Joseph https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxI5cB35VHE

I'd be interested in a list of King recordings. I've never played one so I can't identify them easily.
tubaphillips
pro musician
pro musician
Posts: 55
Joined: Mon Oct 17, 2016 10:00 pm

Re: Getting back in...sousaphone choice

Post by tubaphillips »

Conn 20K is the standard piece of equipment for that style of playing. Preferably a naked lady era model. I don’t know where bloke got the idea that kings were standard in NOLA. This thread is the first I’ve heard that. A 14K would be great too if you can find one. Eastman has a sousa in the works, but so far no retailers have any.
Harry Phillips
1954 Conn Naked Lady 20K
Wayne Rice
bugler
bugler
Posts: 62
Joined: Mon Apr 12, 2004 9:57 am

Re: Getting back in...sousaphone choice

Post by Wayne Rice »

I have the new Eastman and it is amazing. I knew a guy.

I also have a 1940s Reynolds, which is lighter than the Eastman and nearly as good. What makes the Reynolds so light is the bell. It does not have the honking power of a bigger King or Conn, but it is incredibly easy to play (like the Eastman). I cannot recommend an old Reynolds enough or perhaps an Olds. The 20K is a standard, but it is heavy, and in my opinion, woofy.

If you interested in the Reynolds, PM me.
Keep playing, because expression is life.
Wayne Rice
bugler
bugler
Posts: 62
Joined: Mon Apr 12, 2004 9:57 am

Re: Getting back in...sousaphone choice

Post by Wayne Rice »

I should add that I play in New Orleans style brass band. Before the pandemic we were paying 70-75 gigs a year. It was something that came late in my life; I was 48 when I started in the band in 2011. My background was mostly classical, with three summers playing in amusement parks in the 80s.

I have played three sousaphones with the band: a Frank C. Holton from the 50s, the Reynolds which dates from the 40s and the Eastman 495. I also played a 20k a couple of times and a few other borrowed horns, including an amazing helicon.

My favorite is the Eastman, though I have played it maybe 5 times in gig situations because of the pandemic. Thinks are picking back up, so I am hoping to have more time with it.

The Reynolds is very light and easy to play. I got it from Borodi Music in Cleveland, which overhauls many sousaphones (and other band instruments). I tried several before I picked the Reynolds. If you are close to Cleveland, I recommend contacting them ahead of time and playing what they have.
Keep playing, because expression is life.
toobagrowl
5 valves
5 valves
Posts: 1525
Joined: Mon Aug 02, 2010 3:12 pm
Location: USA

Re: Getting back in...sousaphone choice

Post by toobagrowl »

^ Is Borodi Music still around? I had thought Beeman Brass Works bought up their equipment :?:

The new Eastman sousa looks like a loose copy of the old King/Cleveland sousas; looks nice :tuba:

Of course, the John Packer sousa also looks like a copy of the King 2350 sousa, so .... :P

Several years ago, Eastman had a different model sousa that looked like a copy of the Yamaha 411 sousa. But maybe they don't make that model anymore? Anyone know :idea: :?:
Wayne Rice
bugler
bugler
Posts: 62
Joined: Mon Apr 12, 2004 9:57 am

Re: Getting back in...sousaphone choice

Post by Wayne Rice »

Borodi Music is not closed. I spoke with someone there today. They are still selling reconditioned horns, though they are no longer doing repairs or restorations for third parties it sounds like.

I played the John Packer at NAAM. I could not fit into it. Granted, I am a large man (300lb+), but I have never not been able to fit into a sousaphone comfortably. I recall that it played fine; I wasn't that impressed one way or the other. I think the benchmark for the Eastman was an Olds. Really an amazing instrument. I played a two-hour gig yesterday with it and it sounded amazing. Now, I just have to get in good enough shape to wring out its full potential.
Keep playing, because expression is life.
Post Reply