OK, I give up...

eli · Post by **eli** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 10:52 pm

What the heck is this thing? A round euphonium?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Small-Silver-Sousap ... dZViewItem

Dan Schultz · Post by **Dan Schultz** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 11:34 pm

I think most of these tiny sousa configurations are pitched the same as Bb baritones. Some of the larger ones might be Eb tubas.

windshieldbug · Post by **windshieldbug** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 11:38 pm

Looking at the length of the 2nd valve tubing, I'd guess Eb. Not short enough to ba a Bb, third valve isn't anywhere near a BBb

Lew · Post by **Lew** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 11:21 am

Here's what the seller told me when I asked:

I know for a fact that this was used by the Hermines Midget Band from the late 30' and early 40's. You can pull up this band on Google.

One of the last surviving members died last summer.

To the best of my knowledge, this plays in Bb. The only thing that is written on the horn is: The Buescher Eclkhart, Ind.

LoyalTubist · Post by **LoyalTubist** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 5:11 am

from the eBay page

Small silver sousaphone with a brass bell.
Bell is 14 1/2 inches across.

Completely refurbished by a pro.

This is from the 30's. In excellent condition. Nice mellow tone.
This horn plays in Bb.

Original box in fair but solid condition. This is an old wooden box,fairly heavy for shipping, 30 lbs. Can ship with or without box.

It's in B-flat. I guess it plays in euphonium/baritone horn/trombone register.

When all else fails, read the copy.

Carroll · Post by **Carroll** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 10:51 am

Jupiter made some of these "Baritone Sousaphones" somewhat recently. I want three for me and my euphonium quartet. Our tuba guy already has one in his octave. I say I want three... but I don't want to pay for them!

(They also made a tiny alto horn sized sousaphone)

Albertibass · Post by **Albertibass** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 1:07 pm

aha.......do they do the same for trumpets?

LoyalTubist · Post by **LoyalTubist** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 6:49 pm

You can usually tell if the seller knows what he's talking about if he uses standard musical terms without resorting to those he has made up himself. Yeah, I know about the sellers who can't tell a sousaphone from double-belled euphonium. It's usually fairly obvious.

Lew · Post by **Lew** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 12:47 pm

I will settle the question of what key this plays in, and what range, once I receive it. I know that I am out of my mind, but I just couldn't resist buying this.

Chuck(G) · Post by **Chuck(G)** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 1:30 pm

Not that long ago, the little Barcone kid's sousaphones in Bb weren't that uncommon. Wonder where they all went?

Lew · Post by **Lew** » Wed Mar 08, 2006 8:09 pm

Thanks Joe for not bidding it up. I got it today, and it is definitely a baritone. It even came with a trombone/baritone mouthpiece. It has a few small dents and is missing one of the bell screws, but everything else is there. It does have nice Buescher engraving on the side of the bell that the seller must have missed. I've played it a little and it sounds great and has good intonation. It has a smallish 0.565" bore, but can put out a ton of sound with its 14.5" bell.

Here's a photo of it next to my Conn 28K Eb sousaphone for perspective.

It should be fun to take to at least one TubaChristmas next year.